Thurs.’s Devo - Babylon’s End

Jeremiah 51:54-52:34; Titus 3:1-15; Psalm 100:1-5; Proverbs 26:18-19 First we have Jeremiah’s last message then we have the history of Zedekiah’s reign. He was the last king of Judah and reigned 11 years. He was evil and it was during his reign that Jerusalem fell. During Zedekiah’s 9th year of reigning Babylon came and besieged the city. By his last year the famine had become so severe that the food was entirely gone. The enemy had broken down a section of the wall and all the soldiers had fled. The king and his soldiers slipped through wall and fled in the night. They were captured by the Babylonian troops and taken to Babylon. Zedekiah had to face Nebuchadnezzar and watch his sons killed. Then his eyes were gouged out. Then he was bound in bronze chains and taken to Babylon where he remained in prison until he died. Babylon’s army burned down the Temple of the Lord, the royal palace and all the houses of Jerusalem. He destroyed all the important buildings in Jerusalem and tore down the walls on every side. He took most of the people as exiles to Babylon but left some of the poor who pledged allegiance to Babylon in the land to keep it from the weeds and wild animals. They desecrated all of the utensils and furniture in the Temple and took anything of value. Nebuzaradan, the captain of the Babylon army took all the important leaders of the land and along with them Daniel, Meshack, Abedneggo, and Shadrack. A total of 3,023 people were taken. Jehoiachin who had been in prison in Babylon since he was eight was now 45. Nebuchadnezzar was succeeded by Evil-merodach. Jehoiachin found favor with with him and was released from prison and given new clothes, position and a regular food allowance. Titus was reminded to tell the believers to submit to the government and its officers. a nation is given the government they deserved. If the nation rebels against the Lord then God will give them a ruler who doesn’t follow him and the whole nation will suffer. If the people obey God and follow Him then he will give them a leader who will honor God and things will go well for the people. Paul warned them time a again not to find themselves in arguments and quarrels over things like spiritual pedigrees or the law. These arguments are a waste of time. People that cause division must be given two warnings then have nothing more to do with them. They have shown by their failure to repent that they have made the choice to turn from the truth. Their own sins will condemn them. Paul gave Titus instructions to meet him and Artemas in Nicopolis for the winter. He was to help Zenas and Apollow with their trip and provide what they need to make the trip. He sent his greetings to all the believers. Lord, may our nation turn back to you and may you set up godly leaders to serve us as we serve You.