Fri.’s Devo - The Fall of Jerusalem

Read: 2 Kings 23:31-25:30; Acts 22:17-23:10; Psalm 2:1-12; Proverbs 18:13 After Josiah was killed by Pharaoh Neco of Egypt, Josiah’s son, Jehoahaz became the king. He only ruled for three months when he was imprisoned in Egypt. Neco installed Eliakim as the king who was another of Josiah’s sons. He required that they pay enormous amounts of gold and silver. He also changed Eliakim’s name to Jehoiakim. *** Jehoiakim ruled for 11 years. During his reign Nebuchadnezzar from Babylon invaded Judah and they had to pay him tribute also. They rebelled after three years and refused to pay it so God sent raiders from four nations to raid them. This was all happening because of the sins of Manasseh and all the innocent blood he shed. Jehoiachin was the next king who only reigned three months. He was besieged by King Nebuchadnezzar. He finally surrendered to the king of Babylon and was taken prisoner. The fittest in Judah were taken prisoner to Babylon. Those left were ruled by Zedekiah. He ruled in Jerusalem for 11 years. When he rebelled against Babylon, they came and besieged the city of Jerusalem. The famine became so severe that the king and some of his people tried to escape through the cracks in the wall. They were chased down by the Babylonian troops and Zedekiah was captured. He was made to watch his sons all killed, then his eyes were gouged out. He was led in chains to Babylon. Jerusalem was burned and its walls torn down by the Babylonians. Most of the people were taken into exile, but a few were left to tend the vineyards and fields. Everything of value from the Temple was taken. The priests were all taken as well as the officers and put to death in Babylon. *** Nebuchadnezzar appointed Gedaliah as the governor of those left behind in Judah. All the men left in the army of Judah came to meet with Gedliah at Mizpah. Ishmael was one of them. *** Gedaliah tried to broker peace between them and the Babylonian officers left to take care of them. Later that year Ishmael came to Mizpah and killed Gedaliah and the Babylonians that were there with him. All the people from Judah fled in panic thinking they were going to be in great trouble when Babylon found out. *** Meanwhile, in Babylon, an new king, Evil-merodach was crowned. Jehoiachin found favor in his eyes and was released from prison. He was given great privileges and clothes of honor and allowed to eat at the king’s table as long as he lived. *** In Acts, Paul was still giving his testimony to the Jews when he got to the part where God told him to go to the Gentiles and share with them the Good News of the gospel. The crowd went wild and shouted for his death. The commander had him whipped with lashes to make him confess to his crime. When he had finished whipping him, Paul asked if it was legal to whip a Roman citizen. When Paul explained that he was born a Roman citizen, the guards were afraid. The next day Paul was released to stand trial before the Jewish high council. *** In the trial, Paul noticed that some of the council was Pharisees and some were Sadducees. Knowing their disagreement about resurrection, he used that as his argument. This divided the council and the discussion became so violent they had to rescue Paul and take him back to the fortress. *** Jesus had told them not to worry about what to say when they were brought to trial because the Holy Spirit would tell them what to say. We see that happening for Paul over and over. He will do the same for us. *** Lord, may we trust in you for every answer we give for your name’s sake. Thank you for your Holy Spirit that leads and guides us every day.