Judah’s Quick Downward Slide

PULL OUT THIS CHART : JUDAH IS JUDGED Prophet/KingKnown ForMessage/ Themes Main Image(s) HEZEKIAH

JUDAH IS JUDGED JUDAH IS JUDGED Prophet/KingKnown ForMessage/ Themes Main Image(s) HEZEKIAH (GOOD) Cleansing and rededicating the Temple Reinstating the Passover Mediator for his people when attacked by Assyria

JUDAH IS JUDGED JUDAH IS JUDGED Prophet/KingKnown ForMessage/ Themes Main Image(s) MANASSEH

JUDAH IS JUDGED JUDAH IS JUDGED Prophet/KingKnown ForMessage/ Themes Main Image(s) MANASSEH (BAD) Apprentice king (ruled along side his father at age 12) Judah’s worst king? Reversed his father’s religious reforms—blended false gods and pagan practices with worship of the Lord. Made Judah a vassal state of Assyria again Repented too late to avoid judgment or to affect change among his people.

JUDAH IS JUDGED JUDAH IS JUDGED Prophet/KingKnown ForMessage/ Themes Main Image(s) JOSIAH

JUDAH IS JUDGED JUDAH IS JUDGED Prophet/KingKnown ForMessage/ Themes Main Image(s) JOSIAH (GOOD) One of Judah’s best kings. No one had his passion (heart, mind and soul) for the Law of the Lord! Purged the idols, and restored the Temple. Found the Book of the Law (Moses) and read it aloud to the people. Worked for reform. Died in battle when he ignored God’s will.

JUDAH IS JUDGED JUDAH IS JUDGED Prophet/KingKnown ForMessage/ Themes Main Image(s) NAHUM

JUDAH IS JUDGED JUDAH IS JUDGED Prophet/KingKnown ForMessage/Them es Main Image(s) NAHUM (spoke God’s judgment against the Assyrian Empire) Assyria is a “young lion” drunk with power and filled with evil. Assyria will pay for their cruelty and exploitation when Babylon destroys them. Whirlwind Fire Earthquake Locusts Flood

Zephaniah, the Prophet Zephaniah = “The Lord protects” Zephaniah was a descendant of King Hezekiah Contemporary of Jeremiah and Habakkuk Prophesied during Josiah’s reign Spoke God’s judgment against Judah Repeated emphasis on “the Day of the Lord” Warned of invasion by the Babylonians.

The Book of Zephaniah One of the minor prophetic books (#9) Folds the threefold message pattern: Announcement of judgment Call to repentance Promise of a time of restoration Complaints against syncretism & social injustice Structure of the book: The Day of the Lord (1:2 – 2:3) Judgment Against the Nations & Jerusalem (2:4 - 15) Salvation of the Nations & Jerusalem (3:1 – 13) Yahweh’s Universal Reign (New Heavens, New Earth)

Excerpts from Zephaniah At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps and punish those who are complacent, who are like wine left on its dregs, who think, ‘The LORD will do nothing, either good or bad.’ Their wealth will be plundered, their houses demolished. Though they build houses, they will not live in them; though they plant vineyards, they will not drink the wine.” (1:12 -13)

Excerpts from Zephaniah Gather together, gather yourselves together, you shameful nation, before the decree takes effect and that day passes like windblown chaff… …Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, you who do what he commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the LORD’s anger. ” (2:1- 3)

Excerpts from Zephaniah Woe to the city of oppressors, rebellious and defiled! She obeys no one, she accepts no correction. She does not trust in the LORD, she does not draw near to her God. (3:1 – 2)

Judah’s Quick Downhill Slide Judah’s Quick Downhill Slide KingWhat Happened? ExplanationLength of Reign JOSIAH 2 Kings 22:1 – 2; 22:20; 23:25

Judah’s Quick Downhill Slide Judah’s Quick Downhill Slide KingWhat Happened?ExplanationLength of Reign JOSIAH 2 Kings 22:1 – 2; 22:20; 23:25 The people would experience disaster, but it would not happen while Josiah was alive. Josiah has been faithful, but the people would not truly repent. 31 years

Judah’s Quick Downhill Slide Judah’s Quick Downhill Slide KingWhat Happened? ExplanationLength of Reign JEHOAHAZ 2 Kings 22:16 – 17; 23:31 – 35;

Judah’s Quick Downhill Slide Judah’s Quick Downhill Slide KingWhat Happened? ExplanationLength of Reign JEHOAHAZ 2 Kings 22:16 – 17; 23:31 – 35; Pharaoh Neco put him in chains and sent him into exile in Egypt where he died. Neco also imposed heavy tribute on Judah. The sins of the people were so great and their reforms were insincere. 3 months

Judah’s Quick Downhill Slide Judah’s Quick Downhill Slide KingWhat Happened? ExplanationLength of Reign JEHOIAKIM 2 Kings 23:36 – 24:7; Jeremiah 36:1-3; 36:24 – 26

Judah’s Quick Downhill Slide Judah’s Quick Downhill Slide KingWhat Happened? ExplanationLength of Reign JEHOIAKIM 2 Kings 23:36 – 24:7; Jeremiah 36:1-3; 36:24 – 26 God sent Babylonian and other raiders against him and the people of Judah. He followed the sinful ways of his fathers. He even burned Jeremiah’s scroll that contained the word of the Lord. 11 years

Judah’s Quick Downhill Slide Judah’s Quick Downhill Slide KingWhat Happened? ExplanationLength of Reign JEHOIACHIN 2 Kings 24:8 – 17

Judah’s Quick Downhill Slide Judah’s Quick Downhill Slide KingWhat Happened?ExplanationLength of Reign JEHOIACHIN 2 Kings 24:8 – 17 The Babylonians invaded. They carried off the temple treasures, the king and the 10,000 people in exile to Babylon. He followed in the evil ways of his ancestors 3 months

Judah’s Quick Downhill Slide Judah’s Quick Downhill Slide KingWhat Happened? ExplanationLength of Reign ZEDEKIAH 2 Kings 24:18-20

Judah’s Quick Downhill Slide Judah’s Quick Downhill Slide KingWhat Happened? ExplanationLength of Reign ZEDEKIAH 2 Kings 24:18-20 God thrust the people of Judah from his presence. He did evil just like his father. 11 years