Lesson 5 - ISRAEL - BABYLONIAN EXILE

 


Lesson 5 
Israel - Babylonian Exile 




Portion to Read : 2 Chro  36: 5- 23 , 2 King 24 - 25 , Jere 52
Memory Verse : Isiah 1 : 18 -20

Objective :      To understand that is cursed to live away from God, and it is more blessed to repent and return to God.

What was the main sin of  Israel that let to their exile: (2 King 17 : 8, 18 : 2). Israel's capital Samaria, was attacked many tines by Assyrian kings Pul  Tiglath-Pileser and Shalmaneser between BC 734 and 721 and were taken captives to Assyria (2 Kings 15 - 19 , 29, 17: 3- 6, 18: 9 - 12). There is no historical evidence that they ever returned to their land. Judah, which had to capital in Jerusalem, was also attacked by the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar between BC 606 and 586, and taken as captives to Babylon, in 3 trips. In the attack in 586, Jerusalem city and the Solomon's temple was destroyed completely. (2 Kings: 24: 1-3 , 24: 10 17, 25: 8-22).

It is beneficial to study about the kings who ruled the middle east during Judah's Babylon Captivity.


KINGS OF BABYLON

Babylon of the Mesopotamia was the most powerful kiddom in the world, about 200 years before Christ. But it declined later and the Assyrians ruled the region from BC 900 to 600. But in BC 625 Nebopolasar a Babylonian lord, got freedom and established new Babylonia empire. He continued in power till BC 604 and in BC 606 he gave the reign into the hands of his son Nebuchadnezzar, the commander of the army. 

Nebuchadnezzar 






Nebuchadnezzar ruled Babylon for 45 years from BC 606 to 561. He was one of the greatest rulers of the world. In BC 606 he conquered Judah along with many middle east nations, and made King Jehoiachim as his vassal and carried away Daniel and others to Babylon Later he imprisoned Jehoiachim who rebelled against him and made his son Jehoiachin the King. He ruled for 3 months and rebelled against Babylon. in BC 597, Nebuchadnezzar attacked Jerusalem again, and made the king and his family as captives and took them along with Ezekiel and many others to Babylon. He also took a lot of gold and silver. Later Zedekiah was made king and he ruled for 11 years, and he also rebelled against Babylon and against the warning of God through Jeremiah In BC 586. Nebuchadnezzar once again attacked Jerusalem and impassioned Zedekiah. Nebuchadnezzar killed all his sons and Lords of Judea before his eyes and put out eyes of Zedekiah and bound him and took him to Babylon, he died in the prison of Babylon. After the third attack, the commander of the Babylonian army set fire to the Jerusalem temple and the whole city. They looked all the gold and silver and bronze of the temple and carried many people as captives to Babylon.





At the time of Nebuchadnezzar , Babylon was at the zenith of its prosperity. The glory of the capital city was unparalleled. The fort, covering the city was unparalleled. The fort, covering city of perimeter 600 miles, was about 86 feet in width and 350 feet in height. The upper side of the fort had a road, through which 6 chariots could ride at the same time. To protect the city, there were canals dig around the fort and it was filled with the waster of Euphrates river. The fort had 120 gates, all of which were protected with huge bronze doors. There was a hanging garden in the city, supported in golden pillars of about 600 feet height. The palace and the temple of Baal, were all examples of ancient Babylonian sculpture and wealth. 

PROPHETS:

At the time of exile in Babylon Ezekiel was also among the people, he exhorted the people and conveyed to them the messages from God. Ezekiel and Danial were to two prophets and many others continually prayed for Judah's deliverance. 

MAIN INCIDENTS  

The major events during the time of Nebuchadnezzar are described in the book of Daniel.




1. The 4 Hebrew boys, who were in the palace, stood bravely for God and holiness 

2. Daniel explained the meaning of the dream that Nebuchadnezzar saw about the future of world nations. 

3. The 3 Hebrew boys, who were thrown into the fire for not worshipping the golden statue of Nebuchadnezzar, were miraculously saved by God. 

4. Daniel explained the meaning of the dream that Nebuchadnezzar saw about his own life.

DESCENDENTS OF NEBUCHADNEZZER

  Erimerodek (561- 560), Neriglezzar (559 - 555) Nabonidus (558 - 537), Belshazzar (537 BC) were the descendants of Nebuchadnezzar. 



Belshazzar made a feast for 1000 men, to show his glory. That night itself he was killed and Medians and Persians conquered Babylon. Darius became the king of Babylon and it happened when the time of deliverance of people of God came. It was a result of repenting prayers of Daniel and Ezekiel and also was the fulfillment of the prophecies of Isiah and Jeremiah. 





























































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