DAY 262 -BIG PICTURE IN A YEAR - THE UNITED MONARCHY

Reading:  2 Kings 24:8-16; 25: 1-30 

The last few kings of Judah, before the exile to Babylon, did evil in the sight of the LORD. This, together with the sins of Manasseh in particular, brought an end to the great temple that Solomon had built and lead to the exile of all the best people in the land. Temple worship ceased. The reading of God’s word ceased. The King’s house and the walls of Jerusalem were broken down, leaving the city broken and defenceless and open to their enemies to be plundered. The skilled workers who might have repaired the city were removed. The city’s wealth that would be required for its repair was removed. All was carried to Babylon. Everyone had to now serve Babylon and its king, King Nebuchadnezzar. 

What a bleak moment in history. The siege against Jerusalem would have been a terrible thing to live through. You either had to wait and starve, flee for your lives with an army in pursuit, or surrender and face the consequences. The people of the city tried to flee, but they were overtaken by the Babylonian army. God’s people were removed from their land. They were no longer ruled by God’s word, but by a foreign pagan king. 

The LORD was still in charge though, He went with His people to Babylon to ensure their future and especially the line of David. Through the sovereign working of the LORD, the line of David was left intact. King Jehoiachin was given favour in Nebuchadnezzar’s eyes, he was released from prison and fed at the king’s table in Babylon. He was given a higher position than the other captive kings in Babylon. The line of Messiah continued through the period of the exile. 

Prayer

Dear Father, thank You for sending Jesus to pay for our sin and to rescue us from eternal torment. Help us to live thankfully, rejoicing in our Heavenly citizenship. 

For the family

Over the next two days, watch this video about 

The boy king, Josiah 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJtH6QOJtdU&feature=youtu.be