2 CHRONICLES 36

THE EXILE + FUTURE HOPE FOR THE ISRAELITES 

After his death, Josiah’s son Jehoahaz becomes king over Judah. Only three months after taking the throne, Egypt overthrows Jehoahaz and institutes his brother Eliakim as king. The Egyptians change Eliakim’s name to Jehoiakim.

Jehoiakim rules for eleven years as an evil king. He is eventually captured and taken into Babylonian captivity. Jehoiakim’s son, Jehoiachin follows in his footsteps as a wicked ruler over Judah. After three months, Jehoachin is also taken into Babylonian captivity and Nebuchadnezzar appoints Zedekiah as king over Judah.

Although he swears to be loyal to Babylon and Nebuchadnezzar, Zedekiah rebels against the Babylonians. Zedekiah never repents or turns toward God, but instead brings disaster upon Jerusalem.

Zedekiah serves as the final king over Judah, as the remaining people are either killed or exiled to Babylon. The Babylonian empire takes over, murdering the people and plundering the temple. Just as the prophets warned, this is the start of the seventy-year exile for the Israelites.

The final verse flashes forward seventy years later, once Persia has taken over Babylon. God gives king Cyrus, ruler of Persia, a message to announce throughout the kingdom that God’s people are to return to Judah and rebuild a temple of worship. These few verses offer hope for Judah’s return to foster a greater redemption and a righteous king.