Captivity and Destruction

SERMON NOTES

Sermon Series: Israel in Captivity

Captivity and Destruction

October 20, 2024  |  Pastor George Stephens

Three Brothers

• Jehoahaz

• Jehoiakim

o Jehoiachin

• Zedekiah

Two Superpowers

• Egypt
• Babylon

Three Captivities

• Babylon 605 BC – Judah and Egypt defeated, Israel becomes a vassal state

• Babylon 597 BC – Judah revolts and Nebuchadnezzar

o Robs the temple
o Deports the upper class (Daniel and Ezekiel)
o Disgraces the body of Jehoiakim
o Takes the king Jehoiachin (king for 3 months and 10 days) to Babylon

• Babylon 586 BC – Judah revolts and Nebuchadnezzar

o Breaks down the walls of the city
o Burns the temple
o Slaughters Zedekiah and his family
o Murders the resistance leaving only the poor.

Why?

They were going through the motions

“And the Lord said: “Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men,” (Isaiah 29:13, ESV)

“Righteous are you, O Lord, when I complain to you; yet I would plead my case before you. Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all who are treacherous thrive? You plant them, and they take root; they grow and produce fruit; you are near in their mouth and far from their heart.” (Jeremiah 12:1–2, ESV)

They were Covering Their Bases

“I have sent to you all my servants the prophets, sending them persistently, saying, ‘Turn now every one of you from his evil way, and amend your deeds, and do not go after other gods to serve them, and then you shall dwell in the land that I gave to you and your fathers.’ But you did not incline your ear or listen to me.” (Jeremiah 35:15, ESV)
 

Israel never stopped sacrificing at the temple! Their sin was adding every other religion to their religion
 

They were making their own rules

“They built the high places of Baal in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, to offer up their sons and daughters to Molech, though I did not command them, nor did it enter into my mind, that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin.” (Jeremiah 32:35, ESV)