In this daily Bible reading is the account of the fall of Jerusalem to King Nebuchadnezzar from Babylon. This happened around 587 BC, approximately 135 years after the Northern Kingdom, Israel, fell. Assyria removed Israel from the land. Babylon removed Judah.
Zedekiah was king of Judah when Judah was defeated and exiled. Prior to Zedekiah, his nephew Jehoichin was king for three months. He was taken captive to Babylon, and the king of Babylon appointed Jehoichin’s uncle Zedekiah to be King of Judah.
Zedekiah was subject to the King of Babylon and paid tribute to him for 11 years. However, Zedekiah rebelled against the King of Babylon and stopped paying tribute. Because of this, the Babylonian army besieged Jerusalem for 16 months; starving them until the Babylonian army breached the walls of Jerusalem.
All of these things happened at God’s direction as punishment for Judah turning from God under King Manasseh. It is fascinating to me to see how God orchestrates events to accomplish His will. The events seem very complex but are done with great precision. The major events and the minor events all have a purpose and meaning.
The Bible says that God’s ways are not our ways. His thoughts are way above our thoughts. We can only watch and marvel. God is indeed worthy of praise and glory! Praise God!
