Israel’s population is shipped out. It’s 800 years since they took over the Promised Land, and all but the poorest are torn away from it by force.
Fifth deportation: the poor left behind
2 Kings 25:11-12, 2 Chronicles 36:20-23, Jeremiah 39:9-10, 52:15-16
God, the judge of all
Psalm 94
The Temple looted
2 Kings 25:13-17, 2 Chronicles 36:18, Jeremiah 52:17-23
Priests deported
2 Kings 25:18, Jeremiah 52:24
Prayer for the nation’s deliverance
Psalm 74, 79
Important men killed
2 Kings 25:19-21, Jeremiah 52:25-27
“The land enjoyed its sabbath rest.” says the Chronicler, the only one able to find a positive spoin to put on events. (36:21) He ascribes events to God’s control, and asserts the faith that even this disaster can be part of God’s ultimate purposes. Psalm 94 says the same - this is the Lord’s discipline (12)
The laments begin. Psalm 74 weeps and rages, Psalm 79 pleads and moans. How could you let this happen, God? Where are you? Don’t you care? These are cries common to people in distress even today. Those who have paid God little attention when life was easy, are full of bitter fury when it is hard.
Finally, it is interesting that Kings and Chronicles end here. These two strands of the Bible have told the history of Israel from its earliest times, but go no further. Do they think Israel’s history is over?
Fifth deportation: the poor left behind
2 Kings 25:11-12, 2 Chronicles 36:20-23, Jeremiah 39:9-10, 52:15-16
God, the judge of all
Psalm 94
The Temple looted
2 Kings 25:13-17, 2 Chronicles 36:18, Jeremiah 52:17-23
Priests deported
2 Kings 25:18, Jeremiah 52:24
Prayer for the nation’s deliverance
Psalm 74, 79
Important men killed
2 Kings 25:19-21, Jeremiah 52:25-27
“The land enjoyed its sabbath rest.” says the Chronicler, the only one able to find a positive spoin to put on events. (36:21) He ascribes events to God’s control, and asserts the faith that even this disaster can be part of God’s ultimate purposes. Psalm 94 says the same - this is the Lord’s discipline (12)
The laments begin. Psalm 74 weeps and rages, Psalm 79 pleads and moans. How could you let this happen, God? Where are you? Don’t you care? These are cries common to people in distress even today. Those who have paid God little attention when life was easy, are full of bitter fury when it is hard.
Finally, it is interesting that Kings and Chronicles end here. These two strands of the Bible have told the history of Israel from its earliest times, but go no further. Do they think Israel’s history is over?
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