DAY 265- BIG PICTURE IN A YEAR - THE EXILE

Reading: Lamentations 1: 4, 10, 11, 17

How merrily we sing along to this popular Boney M Christmas song, without thinking for a minute about the lyrics – or the calamitous event that this song is actually about. It certainly isn’t about Christmas! 

The song is about the destruction of Jerusalem, the capital city of the southern Kingdom of Judah, and about the subsequent taking into captivity of many of its residents. In 589 BC, Nebuchadnezzar II laid siege to Jerusalem, culminating in the destruction of the city and its temple in the summer of 587 BC.

In our journey through the Big Picture of God’s story, we have reached the period of history we call the Exile. Later in this month’s study, we will look at the subsequent Restoration of the people of God to the land He gave them - what we in the Big Picture call, the Return. 

When the Babylonian army under Nebuchadnezzar finished its work of destroying Jerusalem and carrying off the cream of its citizenry into exile, God’s people faced their greatest crisis ever, both politically and spiritually. 

The question on everybody’s lips was “Is God trustworthy?” Have you yet faced that trial of faith in your life? If not, guaranteed you will. 

Prayer

Father, help me to settle this matter in my heart – You are faithful.

FOR THE FAMILY

In an age-appropriate way, discuss the faithfulness of God with your children. Tell them how the Bible teaches this but also use examples from your own lives about God’s faithfulness.