sign in sign up
<<
Home , Babylonian captivity, Daniel (biblical figure), Deportation, Ezekiel 36, Fall of Babylon, Lamentations 1

BABYLONIAN

Week 23: God’s People Exiled in (Lamentations; Several Psalms; ; )

After was destroyed by Babylon, the were scattered throughout the nations, perhaps to be testimonies of the Lord’s ways. By building to preserve their identity, Jews (who only started using that term to describe themselves) were the starting point for proclaiming the message of the promised Messiah. The biblical key for understanding this era in God’s Story is Daniel’s interpretation of the four-metal image in and the corresponding interpretation of the four beasts in . Four world superpowers arose during this time: Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome.

The “head of gold” as described in Daniel 2 is Babylon. Only a few incidents from the time of the captivity in Babylon Timeline of the /Exile are written about in the . We are limited to ; 612 Babylonians and conquer 2 Chron. 36; Jer. 40-44; and parts of Daniel and Ezekiel. 609 killed by Egyptian army, Jehoahaz is king The earliest of had been sent to Babylon becomes king after 3 months during the rule of Jehoiakim in 605 (including Daniel). The 605 Nebuchadnezzar becomes king of Babylon second group was deported at the time of Jehoiachin in 597 The Babylonians invade Judah (including Ezekiel). The final and largest group had gone First wave of of Jews to Babylon into captivity after Jerusalem was destroyed in 586. Daniel is taken captive and begins to prophesy 601 Babylonians battle , both sides suffer losses Three Babylonian monarchs are mentioned in : Judah decides to realign itself with Egypt • Nebuchadnezzar (605-562) was the general who at- 597 Jehoiachin becomes king of Judah tacked Jerusalem three times, Babylonians capture Jerusalem • Evil-Merodach (562-560) released Jehoiachin from Second wave of deportation to Babylon from Judah. prison (Jer. 52:31), Ezekiel is taken captive to Babylon • (552-539) who saw the writing on the wall. becomes king of Judah The empire that Nebuchadnezzar built was destroyed only 593 Ezekiel begins to prophesy 23 years after his death. 586 The Babylonians destroy Jerusalem and the Temple Jerusalem’s walls and gates are burned with fire The Babylonians practiced massive relocation of rebellious Third wave of Jews deported to Babylon people in order to curb future rebellions. For the Jews, many The end of the monarchy in Judah assimilated to Babylonian culture, but others finally paid Babylonian Exile begins heed to the ’ message and began to follow . 539 The Beginning of the Persian Period to 332 Daniel demonstrated remarkable trust in God and revealed The Decree of Cyrus II allowing Jews to return God’s plans for the future, not only for his own day but 516 The Jews rebuild their Temple (70 years) also for the Maccabean period and on through the time that God’s kingdom Twenty-Three Reading Plan being established by the . Lamentations 1:1-22; 5:1-22 Sorrow in Jerusalem; Prayer of Hope Ezekiel foresaw the fall of Jerusalem, Choose two Psalms: 44; 74; 79; Psalms of a People in Exile emphasizing its sins. The book 80; 85; 89; 102; 106; 123; 137 includes lots of unusual symbols. After Ezekiel 36:1-38 The Hope of the New Covenant Jerusalem’s fall, Ezekiel prophesied the :1-14 A Valley of Dry Bones restoration and future of God’s people. :1-37 Nebuchadnezzar’s Temporary Insanity God used Ezekiel as a major factor to Daniel 5:1-31 The Writing on the Wall encourage the exiles to stay true to the “faith of their fathers.” Daniel 6:1-28 Daniel in the ’ Den Chapter Chapter 1 DANIEL – God Rules Over All 12 Political Powers ...in Daniel’s Days ...and Afterwards 4 Kingdoms Babylonian Rule Medo-Persian Rule Greek Rule Roman Rule Nebuchadnezzar Darius Last of the Belshazzar Cyrus Four Generals Powers

Historical/Biographical Prophetical

Topics Daniel Interprets Others’ Dreams Interprets Daniel’s Dreams } Daniel the The of Daniel Ram & Goat Under Persia Vision of The Promise of the Resurrection Daniel’s Vision of the Daniel’s Nebuchadnezzar’s Golden Nebuchadnezzar’s for Belshazzar & Babylon Image & a Fiery Furnace Daniel is Thrown into the Daniel is Thrown Daniel’s Vision of the Four Vision of the Four Daniel’s Daniel enters Captivity but Daniel’s Prayer for Israel & Prayer Daniel’s Great Tree & His Humbling Great Tree Vision of 70 (future) Weeks Vision of 70 is elevated to high position The Handwriting on the Wall Wall The Handwriting on the Statue (4 kingdoms & God’s) Beasts (4 kingdoms & God’s) Lions’ Den for praying to God Den for praying Lions’ of Spiritual Warfare in Heaven Warfare of Spiritual Nebuchadnezzar’s Vision of the Nebuchadnezzar’s Vision of the Nebuchadnezzar’s Daniel is Scared by His Dream Daniel is Scared by Chapters 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Time 605 604 580 570 539 538 553 551 539 536 534 534 Ruler Nebuchadnezzar (Babylon) Belshazzar Darius Belshazzar Darius Cyrus (Medo-Persia) (Place) (Babylon) (Medo- (Babylon) (Medo- Persia) Persia) Written In Hebrew Aramaic Hebrew

Chapter Chapter 1 EZEKIEL – God’s Sovereignty 48 Judgment Near Judgment Now Hope Ahead

Predicting Jerusalem’s Fall Announcing Jerusalem’s Fall Promising Restoration

Place: Time: About 22 years (593-571bc)

1-3 COMMISSION 4-24 JUDGMENT 25-32 JUDGMENT 33-48 RESTORATION OF EZEKIEL OF JUDAH OF THE NATIONS OF GOD’S PEOPLE

1 - Vision 4-6 Four symbols of 25 - Amon, , 33-36 Return to the Land, coming judgment , Philistia New Shepherd 2 - Call 7-14 God’s glory departs 26-28 - Phoenicians–Tyre 37-39 New Life and Unity 3 - Commission because of Idolatry (Fall of ) 40-43 New Temple, 15-24 Parables and 29-32 - Egypt, Assyria, God’s glory returns Pronouncements Elam, , Edom, Phoenicians– 44-48 New Worship