The fall of the southern kingdom of Judah
The reign of Jehoiakim (24:1-7)
Jehoiakim was a wicked king. Judah now served a new master, Nebuchanezaar, as Babylon conquered Assyria and Egypt. They were vassals (servants) to the King of Babylon. Due to the change of power, they attempted to rebel. This was a rebellion against the Lord’s word during the time of Jeremiah. See Jeremiah 1–6 If they surrender, then things will go well.
The region of Babylon is also known as Chaldeans. God is disciplining Judah by sending all these nations against Judah. No country wants to be overrun by foreigners and taken away from their homes and possessions. It was due to the sins of Manasseh that the Lord sent this judgment. Manasseh had repented but there was such a stain that God would take away their land. They had not listened to the prophets and had persecuted or killed them.
We know in Jeremiah 36:22-26 that Jehoiakim cut out and burnt the scroll of Jeremiah’s prophecy against Judah. He then sought to lay hands on Isaiah. There was no repentance or remorse. Josephus writes that Nebuchadnezzar slew Jehoiakim along with high-ranking officers and then commanded Jehoiakim’s body “to be thrown before the walls, without any burial.” This had been prophesied by Isaiah following his disdain for God’s word. See Jeremiah 22:18-19 & Jeremiah 36:30.
The reign and captivity of Jehoiachin and Judah (24:8-16)
Jehoiachin becomes king and will only reign for three months. The Babylonians come to take him and the best of the people away captive. They take away all the treasures and gold from the temple. Jehoichin surrenders rather than fight. These treasures will be taken to the temples of the Babylonian gods.
It is during this time that the prophet Ezekiel is taken away into captivity. This is also the time that Daniel and Shadrach, Meschack and Abednego are taken captive and spend the remainder of their lives there. The nation is to remain there for seventy years.
Zedekiah becomes king (24:17-20)
He was a puppet king. He was left with the poor as all the rich and educated had been taken away. See Jeremiah 22:30. This prophecy was fulfilled. This will be the very last king of Judah. He will rebel against Babylon. Jeremiah had previously advised Zedekiah at the beginning of his reign to submit to Babylon and to not listen to false prophets like Hananiah who prophesied that he would not have to serve Babylon. See Jeremiah 22-24.
Jerusalem is conquered (25:1-7)
The Babylonians put Jerusalem under siege. There is a pause in the siege when Egypt come to fight. See Jeremiah 37:5. They beat Egypt and came back to their siege. The famine became severe. Jeremiah repeatedly tells Zedekiah to surrender but he doesn’t listen.
The Babylonians broke through and captured Zedekiah. They killed his family in front of him and put out his eyes. He was then led back to Babylon. This fulfilled what Jeremiah said in Jeremiah 34:1-3.
The destruction of Jerusalem (25:8-21)
The captain of the Babylonians comes back to destroy the city and the Temple with fire. The stunning Temple is decimated and the vast majority of the people are taken away to prevent future rebellion. They leave behind some agricultural workers to look after the land.
They take away the metal and implements of the Temple after breaking them up to carry back. The priests of the Temple and the remaining leaders are brought back to Babylon and put to death.
Gedaliah is made the governor (25:22-30)
There were to be no more kings in Judah so Nebuchadnezzar appointed Gedaliah who was a godly man. He had listened to the words of Jeremiah. The rebellious people kill Gedaliah as a traitor and the regiment of the Babylonian army. Those involved run off to Egypt. Jeremiah had told them that if they go to Egypt they will be killed there anyway. See Jeremiah 42. They force Jeremiah to go with them. See Jeremiah 43. Jeremiah is heartbroken by what happens and it can be seen in the book of Lamentations.
There is a reprieve for Jehoiachin from the new King of Babylon. He is out of prison but still a captive. The story of Jehoiachin’s release, along with the story of the Jewish nation, conveys a message of hope. The story of Jehoiachin’s release, along with the story of the Jewish nation, conveys a message of hope.
Categories: 2 Kings
Feed My Sheep 
Leave a Reply!