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Important Dates To Remember 612 B.C. 606 B.C. 586 B.C. 539 B.C. 536 B.C. 520 B.C. 516 B.C. 483 B.C. 458 B.C. 445 B.C. 430 B.C. Babylon defeats Assyria 1st captives taken (Daniel & 3 friends) Judah falls to Babylon; captivity begins Medo-Persia defeats Babylon – Zerubbabel (temple) Prophecies of Haggai & Zechariah Temple completed Story of Esther (between Ezra 6-7) – Ezra (spiritual infrastructure) – Nehemiah (city walls) Prophecy of Malachi 70 yrs RETURN #1 RETURN #2 RETURN #3

Quarter 8 Captivity Return From Captivity Years Of Silence

Zedekiah Questions Jeremiah Further Quarter 8 Lesson 7 Zedekiah Questions Jeremiah Further The Fall Of Jerusalem

Zedekiah Questions Jeremiah – Out of the dungeon, Jeremiah is again questioned by Zedekiah re: a message from God (nothing withheld) – Jeremiah’s answer was two-fold: – “If I tell you, will you not put me to death?” – “If I tell you, you won’t believe me anyway” – Zedekiah promised Jeremiah would not be harmed – Again, Jeremiah counseled surrender to Babylon – The city would be spared…Zedekiah would live – Otherwise, the city would be burned & the king would not escape from Nebuchadnezzar’s hand In Jerusalem w/Zedekiah

Zedekiah Questions Jeremiah – If he surrendered, Zedekiah feared mistreatment from Jews who had already gone over to Babylon – Jeremiah promised Zedekiah’s obedience would result in his personal safety among the captives – Zedekiah’s disobedience would ensure his mistreatment at Nebuchadnezzar’s hand – Zedekiah instructed Jeremiah to keep this conversation secret In Jerusalem w/Zedekiah

Jerusalem’s Fall To Babylon 2 Kings 25 2 Chron 36 Jer 39, 52 The wall is breached following the siege which lasted almost 2 years…Babylon now in the city Zedekiah & nobles attempt to escape…he is captured and taken to Babylon where he died What Jeremiah had said made no difference Remember Ezekiel’s prophecy Ezek 12 The city is destroyed 1 mth later…palace & other homes are burned…wall is demolished all around People taken captive…only the poor left behind

Jerusalem’s Fall To Babylon 2 Kings 25 2 Chron 36 Jer 39, 52 All the city’s wealth is looted…including the 2 giant bronze pillars Solomon made 1 Kings 7 Jerusalem’s devastation visibly remained until “…the land had enjoyed its sabbaths” 2 Chron 36:21 Lev 26:31-35 Certain political leaders & officials were executed Nebuchadnezzar appointed Gedaliah as governor over the land..he was encouraged to submit Babylon in order to enjoy living in peace

Jerusalem’s Fall To Babylon 2 Kings 25 2 Chron 36 Jer 39, 52 Jeremiah given a choice re: what he could do He could accompany the captives to Babylon He could remain in Jerusalem Apparently, Jeremiah had gained some favor with Nebuchadnezzar…the Babylonians somehow knew of his prophecies re: Jerusalem Jeremiah opts to stay in Jerusalem…he is given provisions and sent to stay with Gedaliah He writes Lamentations

Jerusalem’s Fall To Babylon 2 Kings 25 2 Chron 36 Jer 39, 52 Gedaliah is murdered by Ishmael (a field captain) who had been hired by the Ammonites to do so Jer 40-41 Gedaliah was warned, but didn’t believe it Fearing what Nebuchadnezzar might do in response to Gedaliah’s murder, the Jews asked Jeremiah for a message from God Jer 42:2 They promised to obey whatever He said

Jerusalem’s Fall To Babylon 2 Kings 25 2 Chron 36 Jer 39, 52 Jeremiah said they were to stay put…do not fear Nebuchadnezzar…they would still prosper If they sought refuge in Egypt, great calamity would follow them there Jer 42:7-22 The Jews accused Jeremiah of lying…they took the remaining captives (including Jeremiah) to Egypt Jer 43:1-7

Jerusalem’s Fall To Babylon Ezek 32-33, 36 We switch back again to Ezekiel among the captives in Babylon…Remember Ezekiel was a WATCHMAN He was informed of Jerusalem’s destruction Ezek 33:21 (1 year after it was burned) Now his days of being muted will end Ezek 33:22 3:26-27 24:26-27 God promised restoration to the land and to His people Ezek 36:1-38

Eze 33:7 So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me. Ezekiel is to watch and warn the people that they need to turn back to God. He gives hope to those wicked if they turn from their wicked ways He gives promise to those who are righteous

REFLECTIONS Think back to the building days of Solomon… what it must have been like in the city during all that construction (temple, palace, houses, etc.) The years to build up Jerusalem have now quickly come crashing down How could all of this have happened? Can we think of perhaps 1 “defining moment” where the good fortunes of God’s people began to go astray? 1 Sam 8:5, 7 Ex 19:5-6

1Sa 8:5 And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations. 6 But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD. 7 And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.

Ex 19:5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: 6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel. I WILL BE YOUR GOD AND YOU SHALL BE MY PEOPLE

REFLECTIONS Though apostasy comes slowly, it’s effects are felt & seen for years…generations to come Long standing Biblical principles relevant to this study Psa 118:8 1 Cor 4:6 Has the Lord’s church suffered similarly? Who are the Watchmen? Acts 20:28 Are individual saints, local churches, or even brethren-at-large immune from this happening again? Acts 20:29-30

Biblical principles Ps 118:8 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. 1Co 4:6 And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.

Watchmen Today Ac 20:28 "Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. Heb 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account

Individual Christians, or brethren- at-large Ac 20:29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

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