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*JESUS IS GOD!*
*Assemblies of God*
Sunday School Lessons.
*_ADULT TEACHER_*
JANUARY-JUNE, 2020
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*Unit 4: Kings of Judah*
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June 28, 2020.
LESSON 26
*ZEDEKIAH THE LAST*
*Memory Verse: Hebrews 3:13*
```Exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin``` (KJV).
*Central Truth*
Judgement awaits those who harden their hearts against God.
*The Lesson Outline*
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*1. Zedekiah Appointed King*
*2 Kings 24:15-20*
A. Troubled Times
B. A Failed Reign
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*2. Rebellious, Stubborn, and Unfaithful*
*2 Chronicles 36:12-16*
A. A Proud King
B. A Wicked People
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*3. The Judgement of God*
*2 Chronicles 36:17-21*
A. Destruction
B. Exile
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*_Teaching Goals_*
*1. Impart and Reinforce Knowledge:* _Students will examine the devastating consequences of sturbborn rebellion against God._
*2. Influence Attitudes:* _Students will better grasp the consequences of rebellion in order to develop pliability in the Lord’s hands._
*3. Influence Behaviour:* _Students will be guided to respond quickly with repentance to the Lord’s rebuke._
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*Introducing the Lesson*
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Poet John Greenleaf Whittier is credited with the famous saying, “Of all the words of tongue or pen, the saddest are these, ‘It might have been.’” The comment speaks of opportunities missed and good things never experienced.
When we read the account of Zedekiah’s reign, this quote seems quite applicable. We are faced with the sadness of happens when people reject God. Judah had been very blessed by God, but their rebellion led them into great grief. This lesson on Judah’s final king counsels us concerning the dangers of hardening our hearts against God, for in doing so we risk rejecting opportunities for repentance and restoration.
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*Bible Reading*
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*2 Kings 24:15.* _And he carried away Jehoiachin to Babylon, and the king's mother, and the king's wives, and his officers, and the mighty of the land, those carried he into captivity from Jerusalem to Babylon._
16. _And all the men of might, even seven thousand, and craftsmen and smiths a thousand, all that were strong and apt for war, even them the king of Babylon brought captive to Babylon._
17. _And the king of Babylon made Mattaniah his father's brother king in his stead, and changed his name to Zedekiah._
18. _Zedekiah was twenty and one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Hamutal, the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah._
19. _And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that Jehoiakim had done._
20. _For through the anger of the LORD it came to pass in Jerusalem and Judah, until he had cast them out from his presence, that Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon._
*2 Chronicles 36:12.* _And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD his God, and humbled not himself before Jeremiah the prophet speaking from the mouth of the LORD._
13. _And he also rebelled against king Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God: but he stiffened his neck, and hardened his heart from turning unto the LORD God of Israel._
14. _Moreover all the chief of the priests, and the people, transgressed very much after all the abominations of the heathen; and polluted the house of the LORD which he had hallowed in Jerusalem._
15. _And the LORD God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place:_
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*Commentary and Application*
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*1. Zedekiah Appointed King*
A. Troubled Times
*2 Kings 24: 15-17*
Zedekiah came to the throne amid great turmoil (see 2 Kings 23: 31 through 24:14). After King Josiah’s death, the people enthrone his son Jehoahaz, who was removed from the throne and replaced with his brother, Jehoiakim, only three months into his reign. Jehoiakim reigned for eleven years, but as part of God’s judgement was taken into captivity by Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon. His son Jehoiachin succeeded him. After only three months, Jehoiachin and a portion of the royal household were carried into captivity in Babylon. The Babylonians also exiled the craftsmen and artisans. Judah was left with the lower classes of society.
After removing Jehoiachin, Nebuchadnezzar placed the young king’s uncle, who was Josiah’s son, Mattaniah, on the throne (2 Kings 24:15-17). As part of the process, Mattaniah’s name was changed to Zedekiah. Some have supposed that the change of name was part of a coronation tradition. However, the writer of 2 Kings indicates that Nebuchadnezzar was responsible for the change. All of this speaks of the depths to which the kingdom of Judah had fallen. While Zedekiah was Davidic dynasty, a foreign authority now dictated events to the people and leaders. The king of Judah had become a puppet for the king of Babylon.
Nebuchadnezzar also deported the remaining fighting force in Jerusalem. In effect, the soldiers, leadership, and people who could manufacture weapons and armour were all removed in order to prevent any uprising. The king of Babylon was intent on establishing his power and securing Judah’s submission.
*Questions for Application*
_How might the people have felt when their resources and leaders were taken from them?_
_How could the people remain hopeful in such an unsettled time?_
_Do you think they remained hopeful? Explain_
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B. A Failed Reign
*2 Kings 24: 18-20*
One might expect that the royal house would have recognised the severity of the situation and turned to the Lord. Unfortunately, Zedekiah acted quite differently. The Chronicler tells us that he “did evil in the eyes of the Lord, just as Jehoiakim had done” (2 Kings 24:19, NIV). Apparently, the king did not learn his lesson.
The writer of 2 Kings wanted readers to be clear about why the turmoil was occurring (verse 20). While these events accomplished the larger power struggles for international politics, there was an unseen hand behind it all. God’s wrath over their sin would now result in his judgement. They had been unfaithful to the covenant through their worship of other gods, seeking foreign alliances, failing to keep the feasts, and oppressing the poor. For generations they had been stoking the Lord’s wrath. Now the time had come that they would experience the consequences of their sins.
The language of verse 20 is tragic. It was the Lord’s desire that the nation of Israel would be His own people and He would be their God (see Exodus 6: 7; Leviticus 26:12). Of all the nations of the earth they were to be His special possession (Exodus 19:5). He had declared that He would put His name upon them – an important declaration (Numbers 6:27). This would signify His presence, which was represented through the temple (1 Kings 5:5; 9:3). However, they had forsaken the Lord and broken their covenant with Him. Through their sins of idolatry, they had polluted the land. It is startling to read that God had “cast them out of His presence” (2 Kings 24:20, KJV). A more sobering phrase could hardly be uttered. Yet in this weakened condition in which God was pouring out His anger, Zedekiah further showed his bad leadership as Judah’s king: He rebelled against the king of Babylon.
*Questions for Application*
_How were circumstances in ancient Judah similar to events in today’s world?_
_How should Christians respond to the chaotic condition of the world today?_
*Response to the Word*
Zedekiah’s reign marked a sobering time. The people likely were despondent. Yet there were some who knew the stories of the past and who desired to be in right standing before God.
In times of despair, uncertainty, and wickedness, it is imperative that we not look to human leaders to bring our deliverance. Let us be driven by chaos around us to pray for peace and repentance. Let us remind ourselves and others in the community of faith that our leader is God, and we remain in covenant with Him.
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*2. Rebellious, Stubborn, and Unfaithful*
A. A Proud King
*2 Chronicles 36:12-13*
The Chronicler explained that Zedekiah’s failure as a king was as a result of his pride and stubborn heart (2 Chronicles 36:12-13). He refused to heed the word of the Lord that came through the prophet Jeremiah. Jeremiah was of the tribe of Levi and a descendant of the class of priest (see Jeremiah 1:1). Jeremiah’s lineage would have given him considerable social standing and access to the royal courts. The book of Jeremiah demonstrates this access through various epistles of his prophecies in the time and to the king (see Jeremiah 19: 14-15; 34:1-7; 36:1-32). The events in Judah fulfilled Jeremiah’s prophecies.
Also, Jeremiah had counselled Zedekiah and the people to submit to Nebuchadnezzar since he was God’s instrument of discipline. If they did, they would find help amid judgement (see Jeremiah 27:1-22). Zedekiah’s rebellion against Nebuchadnezzar was also a rebellion against God.
The Chronicler also described how in Nebuchadnezzar’s earlier conquest, wherein he had installed Zedekiah as king, he required Zedekiah to make an oath in God’s name that he would be a vassal to Babylon (2 Chronicles 36:13). By violating an oath taken in God’s name, Zedekiah was ultimately demonstrating his faithlessness and contempt for God. The word “stiff-necked and hardened” (verse 13, NIV) reminds us of the rebuke of Israel in the wilderness when they rebelled against God (Exodus 32:9; 33:3; Deuteronomy 31:27). Zedekiah epitomised the heart problem the people had shown throughout their history.
*Questions for Application*
_Have you ever been hard-hearted towards God? Explain._
_Why do you think hard-heartedness toward God is so serious?_
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B. A Wicked People
*2 Chronicles 36:14-16*
Zedekiah was a failed king, yet he also exemplified the wickedness of the entire nation. In spite of the threat they faced, they continued to plunge headlong into sinfulness. The leaders, including the priests, were complicit in this apostasy (2 Chronicles 36:14). Rather than challenge the people to heed the Word of the Lord, they led them into more and more unfaithfulness (verse 14). Note that the Hebrew construction of this passage emphasises the escalating nature of their unfaithfulness. They rejected the ways of the Lord in favour of the ways of the other nations.
Note the emphasis on the patience of the Lord in verse 15. Many prophets had warned them about their unfaithfulness. The warnings came because He had established His presence among them. The prophets to Judah included Isaiah, Micah, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and several unnamed prophets mentioned in Kings and Chronicles. A brief perusal of their works reveals many warnings included in the Law itself.
Rather than heed the warnings, Judah mocked the prophets and rejected God’s word (verse 16). In mercy, God had withheld His judgement, and the people scorned Him in response. Now they would face His anger.
*Questions for Application*
_How does God send us warnings today?_
_Describe a good response to God’s warnings?_
*Response to the Word*
Even though Judah continued to sin, God still sent His prophets to speak to them. This should sober our thought as well as encourage our hearts.
God may be calling us to speak His Word to those around us. Conversely, He may be sending warnings our way to give us an opportunity to repent. Either way, our hearts must be soft toward Him. Take time to examine your life, and make the appropriate response.
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*3. The Judgement of God*
A. Destruction
*2 Chronicles 36:17-19*
2 Chronicles 36:17-19, the Chronicler briefly described events surrounding the Fall of Jerusalem to Nebuchadnezzar in 586 BC. We know from account in 2 Kings 24:20 through 25:21 that Nebuchadnezzar was provoke to extreme action by Zedekiah’s rebellion. In keeping with ancient warfare, the Babylonian armies first laid siege to the city and starved it. When they breached the walls, the king and the leaders attempted unsuccessfully to flee (2 Kings 25:1-6).
When the siege finally ended, the pent-up frustration and bloodlust of the invading armies burst in terrible violence. The Babylonians savagely slew young and old, man and woman (2 Chronicles 36:17). Psalm 137 is a lament by the exiles in Babylon who witnessed the horrible destruction. The time to seek repentance and restoration had passed. There was no more pity, only judgement.
The armies followed their killing spree with a thorough plundering and destruction of Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 36: 18-19). In previous invasions, Nebuchadnezzar had carried off various valuable articles (verse 10). Now he left them with nothing. All the treasures and holy articles were taken away. The wall of the city was broken down to leave no defence, and then they burned the king’s palace. Most sobering of all, they also burned the temple of the Lord. Nothing of value was left.
Yet the Chronicler indicated that these were not merely the actions of Nebuchadnezzar, but the judgement of God. It was God who brought Nebuchadnezzar to the city and allowed him to destroy it. Some commentators have pointed out that the language of verse 18 can be understood to mean God, not Nebuchadnezzar, is the subject of the sentence. Thus, it would be that the Lord had the articles of the temple removed from Jerusalem to Babylon.
*Questions for Application:*
_How could the destruction described in 2 Chronicles 36 have been avoided?_
_What does the siege of Jerusalem tell us about the judgement of God?_
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B. Exile
*2 Chronicles 36:20-21*
The Chronicler recorded the final exile of the people in 2 Chronicles 36:20-21. The account in 2 Kings and Jeremiah tell us that poor people in the rural areas who could till the land were allowed to remain. (2 Kings 25:12; Jeremiah 39:10). The Chronicler’s focus, however, was on the city of Jerusalem. The city itself was left virtually empty. Those who were not killed were carried off to serve Nebuchadnezzar in Babylon.
We are not told of Zedekiah’s end in 2 Chronicles, but it is vividly recorded in 2 Kings. When the king and his leaders attempted to escape after the wall of the city was breached, they were captured outside the city and brought before Nebuchadnezzar, where judgement was pronounced (2 Kings 25:6-7). Zedekiah was sentenced to prison and bound in fetters. Before he was carried away, Nebuchadnezzar would show his cruelty. Zedekiah’s sons, the heirs to the throne, were murdered in front of him, and then his eyes were put out. The last thing Zedekiah may have ever seen was the bleeding, lifeless bodies of his own sons. What a sad yet apt picture of where he had led Judah.
The Chronicler concluded the scene of Jerusalem’s fall with an interesting commentary, stating that the land could now experience its “Sabbath rests” (2 Chronicles 36:21). The reference comes from Leviticus 26:31-35. This passage from the Law foretold the consequences if the people refused to be faithful to the covenant. The warning in Leviticus describes precisely what happened. The Lord said that destruction brought about the “Sabbath rest” that the land did not experience during the sinful times. The meaning here could be twofold. First, it could that in addition to idolatry the people had also failed to allow the land to rest every seven year as the Law commanded (Exodus 23: 10-11). There is also a second, possibly metaphorical, meaning, however: A Sabbath rest for the land would be required because the land itself had grown weary under the burden of the people’s sinfulness.
While this scene is sorrowful, it is not without hope. The idea of a “Sabbath rest” indicates a temporary nature of a condition followed by rejuvenation. The desolation would end, a message also found in Jeremiah’s warning. The exile would last seventy years. It would be a terrible thing, but it would not go on forever. Only the mercy of the Lord endures forever (Psalm 136).
*Questions for Application:*
_How can our sin affect others and the world around us?_
_How have we experienced God’s faithfulness even after sin’s consequences?_
*Response to the Word*
A sinful life leads to destruction and loss. The story of King Zedekiah reminds us of this reality with a graphic description of what happens to those who reject God. Our sinful actions produce spiritual consequences that not only affect us but everyone around us.
However, God’s love can be found even when He brings discipline. Look for ways God has shown His love and faithfulness to you. Write down the lessons you’ve learned during these times.
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