SCRIPTURE: JEREMIAH 52
THE FALL OF JERUSALEM (vs. 1-34)
Zedekiah was 21 years old when he became king and he reigned in Jerusalem for 11 years. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord. He rebelled against the king of Babylon, so Nebuchadnezzar marched against Jerusalem with his whole army. They camped outside the city and built siege works all around it. Due to famine, there was no food for the people to eat. The city wall was broken through and the whole army fled. They left the city at night towards Arabah, but the Babylonian army pursued king Zedekiah and overtook him in the plain of Jericho. All his soldiers were separated and scattered, so he was captured.
Zedekiah was brought to the king of Babylon and the king killed all his sons before his eyes. Then he put out Zedekiah’s eyes, bound him with bronze shackles and took him to Babylon. Then he imprisoned him till the day of his death.
Nebuzaradan, commander of the Babylonian imperial guard came to Jerusalem. He set fire to the temple of the Lord, the royal palace and all the house of Jerusalem. The whole Babylonian army broke down all the walls around Jerusalem. They carried people into exile but left behind the poorest people of the land to work the vineyards and fields. (vs. 12-16). The Babylonians broke up everything in the temple and carried all the bronze to Babylon. They took away the pots, shovels, wick trimmers, sprinkling bowls, dishes, basins, censers, sprinkling bowls, pots, lampstands, dishes and bowls used for drink offering – all that were made of pure gold or silver.
Seriah, the chief priest, Zephaniah, the priest next in rank and the three doorkeepers were taken as prisoners by the commander of the guard. He also took the officer in charge of the fighting men, and seven royal advisers, the secretary who was chief officer in charge of conscripting the people of the land and 60 of his men and brought them to the king of Babylon at Riblah. There, the king had them executed.
The number of people Nebuchadnezzar carried into exile are:
- 7th year – 3020 Jews
- 18th year – 832 people form Jerusalem
- 23rd year – 745 Jews
JEHOIACHIM RELEASED (v. 31-34)
In the 37th year of the exile of Jehoiachin, king of Judah, Evil-Merodach became king of Babylon. He released Jehoiachin from prison and gave him a seat of honor higher than those of the other kings who were with him in Babylon. He ate at the king’s table and was given a regular allowance until the day of his death.
THOUGHTS:
Zedekiah was a rebel against the king of Babylon and against God. He led his sons and leaders into death and himself into darkness and bondage. The religious leaders who had persecuted Jeremiah were slain by the enemy.
The temple was plundered, the walls were broken down and the city and the temple were burned. God had to allow His city to be destroyed than to permit His people to continue to sin. The people were deported in captivity for 70 years. During those difficult years, the people realized the precious words of Jeremiah. How about you? Do you feed on His Word?
As a prophet of God, Jeremiah successfully completed the work that God gave him to do. In the world’s eyes, he look totally unsuccessful with no money, family or friends. But success should never be measured by popularity, fame or wealth. God measures our success with the yardstick of obedience, faithfulness and righteousness. If you are faithfully doing the work of God, you are successful in His eyes.