A Remnant Shall Return Captivity, Return, and Years of Silence

Periods of Bible History: Creation (Gen. 1-5 – Gen. 3:15) Flood (Gen – Gen. 6:5-8) Scattering of the People (Gen. 11) Patriarchs (Gen. 11:27-Gen. 50 – Gen. 12:1-3) Exodus from Egypt (Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy) Wilderness Wandering (Numbers – Numbers 32:13)

Periods of Bible History: Conquest of the Land (Joshua) Judges (Judges-1 Sam. 8) United Kingdom (1 Sam. 9-1 Kings 12/2 Chron. 9) Divided Kingdom (1 Kings 11: Kings 13-2 Kings 17/2 Chron ; various prophets) Judah Alone (2 Kings 18-25/2 Chron )

Periods of Bible History: * Captivity * * Return * * Years of Silence * Six Books: 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, Jeremiah, Daniel, Ezekiel, Lamentations

Fall of Israel & Judah The Assyrians conquered the northern nation of Israel in 721 B.C. (2 Kings 17:5-6). The Babylonians and Medes formed an alliance to conquer Nineveh, the capital city of Assyria, in 612 B.C. The last of the Assyrian armies fell in the Battle of Carchemish in 609 B.C. The Babylonians pursued the remaining troops south through Syria and Canaan, all the way to the borders of Egypt, conquering other kingdoms along the way.

Fall of Israel & Judah In 599/598 the Babylonians, now the predominant reigning world power, began to plunder outlying kingdoms (c.f. Jer.49:28-33), making their way toward Judah. One year later (early spring 597), Jehoiachin and family were taken captive to Babylon (2 Kings 24:8-16; 2 Chron. 36:9-10). Around 589 B.C. Zedekiah joined forces with Egypt and rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon (2 Kings 24:20; 2 Chron. 36:13).

Fall of Israel & Judah In 586 B.C. Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem (2 Kings 25:1-2), pursued Zedekiah as he fled from the city and captured him in Jericho, and destroyed Jerusalem and the temple of God (2 Kings 25:9-10; 2 Chron. 36:19). During these tumultuous times, God had sent prophets to warn the people (2 Chron. 36:15-16). He would continue to send His prophets during captivity to provide hope for His people.

Jeremiah Daniel Ezekiel

Captivity Foretold Moses foretold of captivity if they were unfaithful to the LORD (Dt. 29:9, 14-15, 18, 20, 24-25, 28).

Conditional Promises If the people obey – Lev. 26:3, 6-9, If they disobey – Lev 26:14, 16-18, 21, 23-24, Similar promises in Dt. 28.

Return Promised Moses promised a return if they repented (Dt. 30:1-3). All the writing prophets during the Divided Kingdom and Judah Alone foretold calamity, but also the return of a faithful remnant (Zeph. 3:12-13; Micah 2:12-13).

Important Dates: 612 B.C B.C B.C B.C B.C B.C B.C B.C B.C B.C B.C. - Babylon defeats Assyria 1st captives taken (Daniel & 3 friends) Judah falls to Babylon; captivity begins Medo-Persia defeats Babylon RETURN #1 – Zerubbabel (temple) Prophecies of Haggai & Zechariah Temple completed Story of Esther (between Ezra 6-7) RETURN #2 – Ezra (spiritual infrastructure) RETURN #3 – Nehemiah (city walls) Prophecy of Malachi Seventy Years Captivity Fulfilled