Journal Through the Bible: Week 97 Saturday

source

II Chronicles 36:1-21

Josiah had 3 sons and 1 grandson that followed him on the throne. None of them were Godly men. First the people of Judah took Josiah's son, Jehoahaz, as their king, but Pharaoh Necho of Egypt deposed him and put his brother Eliakim on the throne. Necho also changed Eliakim's name to Jehoiakim. After 11 years Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon carried Jehoiakim away and placed Jehoiakim's son, Jehoiachin on the throne. Nebuchadnezzar also deposed him and took Jehoiachin to Babylon just as he had his father. At that point he placed the third son of Josiah, Zedekiah, on the throne. He remained until Nebuchadnezzar punished him for rebellion. Then the whole country paid the price by going into captivity.

Does God issue any commands?

• God sent the prophet Jeremiah to command Zedekiah to humble himself but Zedekiah did not listen.
• Likewise, God sent  many prophets to warn the people because He had compassion on them but they would not listen. (verse 15)

Does God make any promises?

• The fall of Jerusalem was the fulfilling of a promise God had made the people back before they even entered the land in the times of Moses and Joshua.
• God promised that the land would enjoy her sabbaths, to fulfill 70 years. This was stated through Jeremiah the prophet.

Does this passage teach anything about Jesus?

• The LORD sent His messengers to the people and they mocked them. The LORD later sent His Son, the heir of everything, and they mocked Him before killing Him. Jesus told a prophetic parable about this.

Does this passage teach anything about yet-future events?

• God has an agenda and He keeps it. He made promises to the Children of Israel at the very beginning of His covenant with them saying that He would keep His promise to them and to the land. In the fullness of time God fulfilled that promise, removed the people, and let the land enjoy its sabbaths. God has also made promises concerning the future of this earth. He will keep His promises to restore His creation. Everything is following God's agenda to bring about future events.