Day 234, Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): 2Kings 25:1-21; 2Chronicles 36:15-21; Jeremiah 39; Jeremiah 52:1-30 (note: this is such a momentous event that it is mentioned three times, with very little variation. They're all included here because chronologically they occur at the same time, although recorded by different writers)
Day of Disaster
War, hurricanes, tornadoes, fires, floods, and financial ruin—all these are disastrous days. Sometimes it causes panic, mass confusion, sorrow, despair, hopelessness, and even death. Why do these things happen? Many times the answer is unclear, but our hope is that some good will come of it. Other times we know why disaster has come—it's because of our foolishness or wrongdoings. How should we respond?
Israel was destroyed and taken away into exile for her evil actions and worship of idols. Now Judah is going to suffer the same fate. Egypt provided temporary relief from the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem. When she came, Babylon left, but God sovereignly brought her back. Babylon returned to finish the conquering of Judah. Afterward, she would attack and destroy Egypt.
In today’s Bible reading, the Babylonians laid siege on Jerusalem for two years until there's no more food for anyone to eat. Finally, Babylon breaks through the walls.
Why did God allow this to happen?
That's the question many ask after suffering a tragic loss. What brought on this day of disaster for Jerusalem?
Judah didn't listen to her prophets. She mocked and persecuted, or killed them, but continued in further wickedness and idol worship. She did this until there was no remedy for her sins.
Samuel, the first full-time prophet of Israel, said at the end of his life,
To the faithful you [LORD] show yourself faithful, to the blameless you show yourself blameless, to the pure you show yourself pure, but to the crooked you show yourself shrewd. You save the humble, but your eyes are on the haughty to bring them low (2Samuel 22:26-28, NIV).
God needed to bring Judah low. Like this nation, some people experience disaster because of their pride, rebellion, and wicked actions. They, too, need to be brought low.
What happened that day?
Jeremiah tells the story. On the day Babylon breaks into Jerusalem, King Zedekiah and his small army rush through the king’s gate. When Babylon catches up to them, Zedekiah’s army scatters. Then the Babylonian army catches King Zedekiah and his sons. Their captors blindfold, bind them in shackles, and take them to Babylon.
Before they arrive, commander Nebuchadnezzar kills Zedekiah’s two sons before his eyes. Then, his captors take a hot poker and put out his eyes. The last sight Zedekiah sees is the killing of his sons.
Back in Jerusalem, the Babylonians find the nobles, priests, young men, women, children, and even old men and women hiding in the temple and slay them. They capture the royal officials, take them to Babylon, and kill them. Then they confiscate the treasuries in the temple. A month later, Babylon returns to finish Jerusalem's destruction.
The Chaldeans [Babylonians] also burned with fire the king's palace and the houses of the people, and they broke down the walls of Jerusalem.
As for the rest of the people who were left in the city, the deserters who had gone over to him and the rest of the people who remained, Nebuzaradan the captain of the bodyguard carried them into exile in Babylon (Jeremiah 39:8-9, NASB’95).
Were any people saved besides those Babylon exiled? Yes. Jeremiah continues the account.
But some of the poorest people who had nothing, Nebuzaradan the captain of the bodyguard left behind in the land of Judah, and gave them vineyards and fields at that time (Jeremiah 39:8-10, NIV).
He also saved Jeremiah and Ebed-Melech the Ethiopian, who saved Jeremiah’s life. In this merciful act, Ebed-Melech demonstrated his faith in Jeremiah’s God. Because of this, his life was spared. “To the faithful you [LORD] show yourself faithful” (2 Samuel 22:26, NIV).
How should we respond to the day of disaster?
An emotional reaction to these events is normal—tears and grief should be expected. As we will soon see in the book of Lamentations, Jeremiah expresses much pain because he witnessed Jerusalem’s fall firsthand. While these events are unfortunate, is there any good that might come out of them? Yes! We might
- Accept that God allowed it
- Fear the LORD, pray, and make sure we are right with him (more...).
- Consider our lives. Life is short, so how we live is crucial. What does God want us to do—repent, be respectful of others, act with compassion, share our faith?
- Help others by being a friend, counselor, or just listening to them.
- Give practical help to those suffering worse than we are.
Discussion
Why might God let disasters happen?
How should we respond to tragic events?
Focus Verse
2Samuel 22:26-28 (NIV)
To the faithful you [LORD] show yourself faithful, to the blameless you show yourself blameless, to the pure you show yourself pure, but to the crooked you show yourself shrewd. You save the humble, but your eyes are on the haughty to bring them low.
Write a private prayer response to today’s Bible study:
Please send your comments to me, Rod, the author
Looking Ahead: Jerusalem's destruction is a great Loss. Is there any hope? Join us for our next lesson to find out.
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