Understand Your Bible 2 Chronicles 36 https://understandyourbible.org/bible/2-chronicles/36 Image not found or type unknown Introduction Image not found or type unknown Introduction The last days of the kingdom of Judah. As most of the kings and priests have been wicked, God brings judgment on them from the surrounding nations. Questions 1. What are we told about the reign of Jehoiakim ? 2. How is the reign of Zedekiah summarised? 3. What happened after the LORD stirred uo the spirit of Cyrus? Summary Points Summary Points v 1 to 4 Joahaz is deposed, after only 3 months on the throne, and taken to Egypt v 5 to 10 His brother, Jehoiakim reigns for 11 years before being taken captive by the Babylonians, who also remove some of the vessels of the LORD's house. His son Jehoiachin is also taken after reigning for three months v 11 to 13 Zedekiah, the last king, reigns for 11 years. He rebels against king Nebuchadnezzar v 14 to 21 The people ignore God's message through his prophets. The city of Jerusalem and God's house are destroyed. The treasures are taken to Babylon together with the people who have not been killed. They serve the kings of Babylon until the kingdom of Persia replaces them 70 years later v 22 and 23 Cyrus king of Persia issues a decree allowing the Jews to return to their land to rebuild the house of the LORD Themes / More Information God's principles cannot be ignored without consequences A selection of verses showing that there will be consequences if we ignore what God says. The early Israelites are told the results of both obeying and disobeying God: Deuteronomy 11 verses 26 - 28 26 Behold, I set before you today a blessing and a curse: 27 the blessing, if you listen to the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you today; 28 and the curse, if you do not listen to the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn away out of the way which I command you today, to go after other gods which you have not known. Isaiah later tells the Israelites the consequences of disobeying God: Isaiah 1 verse 20 20 but if you refuse and rebel, you will be devoured with the sword; for the mouth of the LORD has spoken it.” The apostle Paul spells out the consequences of ignoring God: Romans 1 verse 18 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, He points out the results of rejecting God's truth: Romans 1 verses 24 - 32 24 Therefore God also gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to uncleanness, that their bodies should be dishonoured amongst themselves; 25 who exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. 26 For this reason, God gave them up to vile passions. For their women changed the natural function into that which is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural function of the woman, burnt in their lust towards one another, men doing what is inappropriate with men, and receiving in themselves the due penalty of their error. 28 Even as they refused to have God in their knowledge, God gave them up to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, malice; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil habits, secret slanderers, 30 backbiters, hateful to God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the ordinance of God, that those who practise such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but also approve of those who practise them. Questions & Answers Questions 1. What are we told about the reign of Jehoiakim ? v 5 and 6 Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. He did that which was evil in the LORD his God’s sight. Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up against him, and bound him in fetters to carry him to Babylon. 2. How is the reign of Zedekiah summarised? v 12 and 13 He did that which was evil in the LORD his God’s sight. He didn’t humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet speaking from the LORD’s mouth. He also rebelled against king Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God; but he stiffened his neck, and hardened his heart against turning to the LORD, the God of Israel. 3. What happened after the LORD stirred uo the spirit of Cyrus? v 22 and 23 ... the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, 23 “Cyrus king of Persia says, ‘The LORD, the God of heaven, has given all the kingdoms of the earth to me; and he has commanded me to build him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Whoever there is amongst you of all his people, the LORD his God be with him, and let him go up.’ ” .