Josiah is one of the best Kings in the history of Judah. He has restored the temple, torn down the high places, destroyed the baals. He calls Judah to celebrate the passover and according to our scriptures, this is the greatest celebration of this ancient miracle since the time of the prophet Samuel. 30,000 passover lambs are sacrificed and their blood sprinkled on the altar as an atonement for the sins of the people. Some scholars have estimated that at the time of Jesus crucifixion as many as 250,000 lambs were being sacrificed. This blood sacrifice was necessary for the atonement of sin. How great was God's sacrifice in Jesus that has provided the perfect lamb and has forgiven us of the need for further blood sacrifice! It was 7 days of enormous celebration that Josiah led the people in.
Then comes the beginning of the end. Persia is a rising world power. Neco, Pharaoh of Egypt, and Assyria align themselves against this new world power and bring their armies against this new threat. Josiah unwisely takes a part by siding with one of the alien kings. God warns Josiah through Neco to stay out of this, but he ignores the warnings. We should know from this that God in his sovereign power can use non Christian entities and persons to prophesy and instruct us. During the battle, Josiah is gravely wounded and dies of his wounds. The people make Jehoahaz the king, but Egypt dethrones Jehoahaz and takes him captive to Egypt. They place a vassal king, Jehoiakim on the throne. Judah is subjugated to Egypt and is required to pay tribute. In the geopolitical arena, Judah also becomes a buffer state between Egypt and the rising power of Persia and Babylonia.
The king of Babylonia, Nebuchadnezzar comes to war against Judah & Jehoiakim. Nebuchadnezzar conquers Jerusalem and takes Jehoiakim prisoner. This occurs about 605 b.c. Jehoichin is installed as the new regent. Judah is now a vassal state of Babylonia. Jehoiachin revolts against Babylonia. Nebuchadnezzar returns to take him prisoner and this time takes all of the treasures of the temple back to Babylonia. Zedikiah becomes King. He is no better than Jehoiakim or Jehoiachin. He stupidly revolts against Babylonia. In 586 b.c., Nebuchadnezzar returns. this time he destroys the temple, lays waste to Jerusalem and carries the people into exile. Judah is no more. Israel, the promise of God to Abraham is in exile, again in a foreign land.
We will soon be in the books of the prophets. These books are about these same kings and their times. They will tell the story of how God sent prophets again and again and again to warn Israel and Judah of the danger they are in. Those prophets speak of God's long suffering love and of the chastisement that is coming if they do not repent of their sin and return to the fold of God's grace. Israel and Judah mock, despise, scoff and reject the prophets. Exile is God's way to remind Israel of his sovereignty.
The exile last 70 years until Persia conquers Babylonia and Cyrus the great allows the exiles to return home. Interesting sidelight, some scholars have indicated that one of God's instructions was to practice the sabbath with the land that he was giving to Israel; that they were to allow the land to rest 1 year in 7. Judah endured for 490 years before exile and never practiced Sabbath for the land. The exile lasted 70 years. 490 divided by 7 equals 70, the number of years that the land should have rested. Sabbath is observed for the land during the exile.
The temple served as the center piece of worship for 425 years from the time of Solomon's dedication until the destruction by Babylonia.
Some say that Cyrus the great was influenced by Daniel and his prophecies to allow the return of the exiles. Whatever the case, Cyrus hears the the voice of God and encourages Ezra to lead his people back to Jerusalem and rebuild the destroyed temple. He even encourages them by giving back the articles that had been taken by Nebuchadnezzar when he had destroyed the temple.
Going back is a difficult thing. It has been 70 years. It is a new generation. They have established homes, taken jobs, become part of Persia. Serving God is always a new thing. It always calls for us to be ready to go to a far place and begin again. Our journey is difficult, but our God is great. Do you have the courage it takes to assist in the resurrection of our land that has failed to practice Sabbath and has violated God's edicts and commandments? Can we reclaim this place and create the dream that God desires for our community? Pray for our nation and our Christian sisters and brothers that we might be obedient, courageous and loving in these difficult times.
It is a beautiful day. God is good and desires a blessing for you. My prayer is that you will have eyes to see and ears to hear.
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