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The Babylonian Captivity
The Babylonian Captivity
Daniel
1:1
11-12-67
I.
Introduction
A. Back 2600
years
--Empire of Assyria, Babylonia, Persia,
Egypt
--Herefore the names of these in the Bible
are: Moses, Samuel, David, Solomon, Hezzakiah, Josiah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and
Ezekiel
--But now we have these also: Sargon,
Esarhaddon, Tiglath-Pileser, Shalmaneser, Merodach-Baladan, Nebopolassar,
Nebuchadnezzar, Nabonidus, Belshazzar
--They cry
out these words of captivity (Ps. 137:1-6)
B.
Infinite, indescribable and the tragic scenario of the
captivity
--City of Jerusalem in
ruin
--Destruction of the
temple
--Seizure of
city
--Soldiers pouring in--with their coming they
would tear off their clothes and they would take the women and they would rape
them
--Unforgettable
time
C. Biblical Story
completed
--The Biblical story is completed and it
is brought with many details but God has a message in it
all.
--If we take time and patience to look at it
and profit by it--the ordinary reader can be weary with the minute details, the
Holy Word is inspired and if we prayerfully take time to read it will bring
immortal lessons to our souls.
The Babylonian
Captivity
Daniel
1:1
Introduction
God
warns again and again and yet again, judgment will not fall unexpectedly even in
the hammer blows of a falling judgment, faces are turned in Repentance. It is
never too late to get right with God. 'If we will repent God responds--Jonah
3:5-10.
Out of the ashes of ruin God is Sovereign.
Grace raises us up a nobler and purified people to do His will in the
earth.
The purposes of God are never frustrated.
There is no cry, sob, tear, sorrow is bent towards this ultimate purpose in the
earth. God's design for goodness.
I. The
Warnings of God to Judah
(a) The example of
Israel's northern ten tribes.
(b) Idolatry
with Jeroboam
(c) Assyria-the rod of mine anger
and the staff of mine indignation (Isaiah
10&5)
(d) Tiglath-Pileser (Pul III)
745-727 B.C. besieges Samaria
(e) Sargon II
722-705 B.C. besieges Samaria--10 tribes carried to Assyria--2 Kings
17:6
(f) Hosea 4:17 Ephraim joined to idols,
let him alone
II. The
Assyrians
(a) Sennacherib 705-681
B.C.
(b) Esarhaddon 681-668
B.C.
(c) Ashurbanipal 668-626
B.C.
(d) Manasseh plunges to nature into
gross idolatry, pays tribute to Esarhaddon, pays tribute to Ashurbanipal. In
647 B.C. Manasseh is carried in chains to Babylon, which was a providence in
Assyria (2 Chronicles 33:9-11). Manasseh was released upon his repentance (2
Chronicles 33:12-13). But of Manasseh God refused to spare him (Jer.15:4, 2
Kings 24:3). Under the weak son of Ashurbanipal, Assyria destroyed 612bc. But
Babylon took her place. The chastening rod of God in Habbakuk 1:12, the rise of
the nation of Babylonian Empire 625-539bc was as rapid as it's demise, when the
divine mission of chastening God's people was
accomplished.
III. The Blunt Prophecies of
Israel and Micah
(a) Babylon was called by
named over 100 years before in Isaiah 39:6&7, Merodach and Baladan, Isaiah
6:11-12, Micah 4:10, Jeremiah 25:1, 11, 12
IV.
The Inevitable Judgment, Revival under Josiah
(a) During the later days of his reign, the
Assyrian empire was destroyed of a golden future. But neither the spirited
revival under Josiah was enough to defeat the Assyrians. They had a perrnanent
effect on Judah. Idolatrous kings nullified Josiah's spiritual impact and the
Caldeans of the neo-Babylonian empire took the place of Assyria.
Nebuchadnezzar, one of the most powerful ancient rulers, adopted the same policy
of displacing whole populations as had been inaugurated by the Assyrian kings.
(b) There were three
deportations
--605 B.C. Daniel 1:1-4 Daniel and
the other members of the royal family, some were treasurers including the
priests.
--598 B.C. 2 Kings 24:14-16 King
Jehoiachim and the royal family including the priest
Ezekiel
--587 B.C. 2 Kings 25:9-10 The destruction
of the city and the temple and captivity. Zedekiah revolted in the 9th year of
his reign. Brought about the captivity and destruction of the city it took.
The chief priests were put to death. Zedekiah was killed before their eyes, he
carried in fetters to Babylon (25:1-21) Over the poor who remained in the land,
Nebuchadnezzar placed a governor named
Gedaliah.
V. The Kings and the
Prophets
(1) The people of Judah did not
realize the changes which were in store for their following good king Josiah.
They doubtless expected Josiah's succession to continue with spiritual revival
and with political independence for Judea. Successes of Josiah--idolatrous,
evil, in the sight of God. Brought the land and nation to utter ruin, Jehoahaz
(2Kings 23:30).
(2) Upon Josiah's death
people of the land took younger son of Josiah, Jehoahaz (Shallum) and anointed
him. He reigned three months. Doing well in the sight of the Lord. Was
removed by Necho, who had slain Josiah. Necho had placed Jehoahaz in chains,
sent to Egypt, died.
- Necho took another son of Josiah, Eliakim, placed him on the throne.
Changing his name to Jehoiakim. Jehoiakim, evidently pro-Egyptian, was passed
by to anoint younger brother, Jehoahaz, to the kingship. And why he was chosen
by Necho to be king, he gave silver and gold to Necho (2 Kings 23:35). Taxing
the People. Jehoiakim reigned 11 years. When Necho was defeated by
Nebechadnezzar, the land came under the sovereignty of Bablylonia. Jehoiakim,
who did evil in the sight of the Lord (2Kings 23:37), after 3 years, rebelled
after Nebuchadnezzar, relying on Egypt to deliver him. Then hope encouraged by
the false prophets and pro-Egyptian party (Jer. 5:31). People loved to have it
so, Jeremiah raised a strong will against the alliance with Egypt. God's will
not to rebel against Babylonians. Jehoiakim became bitter enemies. The king
imprisoned him to help him out of the temple and from the people (Jere36:5).
Jeremiah dictated to Baruch message of the Lord. Jehoiakim cut it up leaf by
leaf with a pen knife, cast it leaf by leaf into winter fire burning in the
palace. (Jer. 36:22-23). Prophecy from God regarding Jehoiakim's dying in
disgrace (Jer. 22:18-19). No man does dishonor to the word of God and escapes
the coming judgment. Pulpit, nation, denomination, church, college, preacher.
Marching armies of Nebechadnezzar reached Palestine. Jerusalem besieged by
Chaladeans. Just before the city fell, Jehoiakim died suddenly. Probably
assassinated. Young son, 18 years old, placed on the
throne.
- Jehoiachin (2Kings 24:6-16) Evil as his father (2Kings 24:9) After
reigning 100 days, a little over 3 months, the city fell to Babylonians (598
B.C.). The second deportation--sorrowful captivity following (2 Kings 24:10-16,
Eze. 5:98) The King, the Queen mother, the court, the soldiers, the captives,
the best of the land and of the people, treasures of the Lord's house of the
Kings' palace, Ezekiel the young priest. This commonly called "The Captivity",
because of it's magnitude, because the King Jehoiachin, prisoner for 37 years in
Babylon and it contained seed to the future restoration. Only on death of
Nebuchadnezzar did son and successor Evil-Merodach free(2 Kings 25:27-28).
Liberation of Jehoiachin written in Babylonian Cuneiforn records. Exiles upon
Jehoiachin as their legitimate King. Dates were reckoned "from the evil King
Jehoiachin"(Eze 1:1). Jeremiah writes to exiles. In Jeremiah 29:10&14 it
took 70 years to build houses, till the land. In Jeremiah 28:1-4, false
prophets said Jeconiah, son of Jehoiachin, to be back in the land in 2 years.
Jer. 28:17 Breaking the yoke.
- Zedekiah the 3rd son of Josiah (2 Kings 24:17-25 & 11). Taking
Jehoiachin captive to Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar placed another of the ill-fated
sons of Josiah on the throne. Name was Mattaniah, but gave him the name
Zedekiah. Reigned 11 years in Jerusalem. Evil as other brother (2 Kings
24:19). Eleven years of fully ripened rebellion and corruption. Zedekiah in
his heart seemed to desire to listen to Jeremiah, sought to save his life,
succumbed to pro-Egyptian party, rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar (2Kings 24:20).
Relied not on God but Egypt. Nebuchadnezzar acted swiftly, this time resolved
to put away the nation forever. Sent by God to finish the work of judgment. By
January 588 B.C. Jerusalem under siege (Jer. 54:4, 2Kings 25:1). The prophecies
of Jeremiah found in Jeremiah 24:1-10. During long siege he suffered greatly.
During early part of siege Jeremiah 34 written. During later part of siege
Jeremiah 32, 33, 39:15-18 written. Jeremiah accused of treason, thrown into a
vile prison. As siege wore on he was cast into a slimy pit, a cistern, where he
would have perished had not Ebed-Melech a eunuch of Ethiopia rescued him in
38:6-13. Thirty men strained to lift him out. God rewards the eunuchs in
Jeremiah 39:15-18. After a 1 1/2 year siege the people are starving.
Starvation and pestilence rampant in city. Summer 587bc end came. Walls
broken. Nebuchadnezzar determined that city would never be a fortress again and
place of rebellion. Temple, palaces, walls, houses, completely destroyed. (2
Chron. 36:19) In 587B.C. the third and final deportation. Zedekiah attempted
to escape toward Amman (2Kings 25:4-5, Jere. 52:7-8). Captured near Jericho.
Taken to Nebuchadnezzar's headquarters, to Riblah on the Orontes River in
central Syria. There Zedekiah witnessed the execution of his sons before his
very eyes. He was blinded, taken in chains to Babylon where he died shortly
after (2 Kings 25:6-7). Jeremiah treated kindly by the victorious Babylonians
(Jer. 39:11-14, Jer.41:1-43). Given choice of remaining in the land or going
with captives to Babylon. Chose to stay with the poor that were left. With
their puppet governor Gedaliah, who Nebuchadnezzar appointed over the people.
People had not changed from evil ways. Gedaliah assassinated. Jews fled to
Egypt, forcing Jeremiah to accompany them. In Egypt he died a very old man and
all the Jews in Egypt (Jere. 43:8, 44:30). After 587 B.C. Judah ceased to exist
as a sovereign state. Gedaliah was assassinated. Province of Judah abolished.
Territory incorporated into a neighboring province.
VI.
Blessings that came out of the captivity
God's heavy judgment on Judah
opens the way provided for the blessings of His sovereign grace. The sins of
man cannot frustrate the ultimate purposes of God.
- Nation no more idolatrous. A Jew bow before an image of Muhammad, and the
robbed images in the churches. Jews, Islam, Bible, Christianity have this in
common, they refuse to worship before graven images.
- Birth of synagogues. Our church congregation patterned thereof. Gathering
together to hear law and prophets. Taught to be obedient to laws of Moses.
Worship God, pray, praise to Him.
- The cannon of the Holy Scriptures. As the people wept in their despair,
sought comfort and promises of God's word. Nehemiah and Ezra taught it to them,
collecting the scrolls.
- The faithful Godly remnant returned to Jerusalem (Ps. 137) provides seed
which fruited in the coming of Christ. The godly among the people a Joseph, and
a Mary, a Peter, a James, and a John.
- In the dispersion of the people came also dispersion of the knowledge of the
true God. Conference in Jerusalem presided over by James, the pastor, said "For
Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in every
synagogue every Sabbath day (Acts 15:21). The sweep of history, sometimes
centuries before, able to see God's sovereign grace worked out. Sweep of our
lives, sometimes only in eternity, are we able to see God's sovereign grace
worked out.
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