2 Kings 24
Today's Passage: 2 Kings 24
In 2nd Kings 24, the moment finally arrives. The northern kingdom of Israel had already been decimated by the Assyrians. The nobility had been carted off for assimilation and a new nobility transplanted into the Land. Unlike the northern kingdom that had fallen into idolatry having never repented, the southern kingdom had some brief periods of repentance—delaying judgment. Despite Josiah’s reforms, years later, the southern kingdom of Judah under Jehoiakim faced God’s judgement through the Babylonians.
The Babylonian Exile is the second most important event in Israel’s history outside of the Exodus. It fulfilled God’s promise to Israel, both for coming judgment as well as restoration when they repent (spoiler alert, which they ultimately did). If you’ve only heard of the Exile in an offhanded way, maybe a Sunday sermon or two, then you might be a little confused by chapter 24.
The Babylonian Exile is often taught that Babylon attacked Israel under God’s sovereign plan, carried off Israel’s best and brightest before they were ultimately returned by Cyrus of Persia. That’s a true accounting, but lacking the detail offered in 2 Kings 24.
The deportation by Babylon actually happened in three waves—the first two we see in chapter 24 and the third we’ll see tomorrow in 25. You can check out this article here for a few more specifics than I have space to provide in a Jumpstart— https://www.gotquestions.org/Babylonian-captivity-exile.html.
Essentially, Babylon conquered Egypt becoming the greatest world power and decided to go ahead and take over everything nearby, which we see in verse 1. It was at this time that Daniel and many others were taken into Exile in Babylon in the first wave. Three years later, Jehoiakim started causing trouble and rebelled against Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar returned to put an end to the rebellion, but before somewhere between the start of the rebellion and the successful siege of Jerusalem, Jehoiakim had died and Jehoiachin had become king, surrendering to Nebuchadnezzar. Not only did the Babylonians take more captives into Exile, including Jehoiachin, but in this second attack, the Babylonians brought a great deal more destruction to the city. It was also in this second wave that the Babylonians sacked the Temple and removed much of the gold. Nebuchadnezzar hand selected the new king, Zedekiah, but eventually he rebelled. This caused the third and final wave that would leave Jerusalem in utter shambles.
If you read Deuteronomy 28, you’ll see Moses warning all Israel of the blessing and curses they would receive upon entering the Promised Land for other obedience or disobedience. Obviously, Israel had been disobedient. God was patient, but eventually the invisible line of judgment had been crossed and the curses of Deuteronomy 28 came to pass.
In the ancient world, when nation fought against nation, the assumption was that victory was given to whoever had the stronger gods. For Babylon to crush Israel, not once, but three times, didn’t seem to be a highlight on God’s resume. Little did Nebuchadnezzar know that his victory wasn’t because of the Babylonian might or the Babylonian gods, but because Yahweh had used him like a puppet to accomplish his purposes.
So what shall we do with today’s passage? How should we apply it? First, I would say stop and express gratitude that nothing is outside God’s control. Our circumstances, at times, seem to challenge our understanding of God’s mind. Things can be hard, but we can trust in God’s goodness. His plans are greater than we can imagine. God works in centuries, millenia, and eons—while our struggle is in days, weeks, and years. Even in the depths of our struggle, he is good, he’s at work, and he’s worthy of our trust.
Written By: Tyler Short
In 2nd Kings 24, the moment finally arrives. The northern kingdom of Israel had already been decimated by the Assyrians. The nobility had been carted off for assimilation and a new nobility transplanted into the Land. Unlike the northern kingdom that had fallen into idolatry having never repented, the southern kingdom had some brief periods of repentance—delaying judgment. Despite Josiah’s reforms, years later, the southern kingdom of Judah under Jehoiakim faced God’s judgement through the Babylonians.
The Babylonian Exile is the second most important event in Israel’s history outside of the Exodus. It fulfilled God’s promise to Israel, both for coming judgment as well as restoration when they repent (spoiler alert, which they ultimately did). If you’ve only heard of the Exile in an offhanded way, maybe a Sunday sermon or two, then you might be a little confused by chapter 24.
The Babylonian Exile is often taught that Babylon attacked Israel under God’s sovereign plan, carried off Israel’s best and brightest before they were ultimately returned by Cyrus of Persia. That’s a true accounting, but lacking the detail offered in 2 Kings 24.
The deportation by Babylon actually happened in three waves—the first two we see in chapter 24 and the third we’ll see tomorrow in 25. You can check out this article here for a few more specifics than I have space to provide in a Jumpstart— https://www.gotquestions.org/Babylonian-captivity-exile.html.
Essentially, Babylon conquered Egypt becoming the greatest world power and decided to go ahead and take over everything nearby, which we see in verse 1. It was at this time that Daniel and many others were taken into Exile in Babylon in the first wave. Three years later, Jehoiakim started causing trouble and rebelled against Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar returned to put an end to the rebellion, but before somewhere between the start of the rebellion and the successful siege of Jerusalem, Jehoiakim had died and Jehoiachin had become king, surrendering to Nebuchadnezzar. Not only did the Babylonians take more captives into Exile, including Jehoiachin, but in this second attack, the Babylonians brought a great deal more destruction to the city. It was also in this second wave that the Babylonians sacked the Temple and removed much of the gold. Nebuchadnezzar hand selected the new king, Zedekiah, but eventually he rebelled. This caused the third and final wave that would leave Jerusalem in utter shambles.
If you read Deuteronomy 28, you’ll see Moses warning all Israel of the blessing and curses they would receive upon entering the Promised Land for other obedience or disobedience. Obviously, Israel had been disobedient. God was patient, but eventually the invisible line of judgment had been crossed and the curses of Deuteronomy 28 came to pass.
In the ancient world, when nation fought against nation, the assumption was that victory was given to whoever had the stronger gods. For Babylon to crush Israel, not once, but three times, didn’t seem to be a highlight on God’s resume. Little did Nebuchadnezzar know that his victory wasn’t because of the Babylonian might or the Babylonian gods, but because Yahweh had used him like a puppet to accomplish his purposes.
So what shall we do with today’s passage? How should we apply it? First, I would say stop and express gratitude that nothing is outside God’s control. Our circumstances, at times, seem to challenge our understanding of God’s mind. Things can be hard, but we can trust in God’s goodness. His plans are greater than we can imagine. God works in centuries, millenia, and eons—while our struggle is in days, weeks, and years. Even in the depths of our struggle, he is good, he’s at work, and he’s worthy of our trust.
Written By: Tyler Short
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