Men's Ministry
Please read II Kings 24:1-7
1. Verse one starts out, “In his days, ...” (ESV, KJV, LSB, NASB, NKJV). In whose days? Your version of the Bible may insert his name. If not, check the end of the previous chapter.
2. It's important to understand what's going on in the world at this time. Remember that Pharaoh Neco killed good King Josiah on his way to join Assyria in battling Babylon (II Kings 23). He's the one who put Jehoiakim on the throne of Judah. Jehoiakim reigned for eleven years. In light of this information, what does verse one mean? Egypt and Pharaoh Neco are not mentioned in verse one. Can you surmise what’s going on between the lines? See also verse 7.
3. Jehoiakim rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar, who was busy in Babylon securing his throne. He probably thought this was an opportune time, but was it? What is going on in verse two and why?
4. Why was God punishing Judah? Take your answer from verses three and four.
5. We know God today as a God of mercy and forgiveness, but at the end of verse four, it says, “the Lord would not pardon.” How would you explain this apparent contradiction?
6. To get an idea of the military superiority of Babylon, look for a map in the back of your Bible (or online) and see how much territory is represented in verse 7. Find the Brook of Egypt (it was also known as the Wadi of Egypt or the Wadi al-Arish) and the Euphrates River.
3. Jehoiakim rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar, who was busy in Babylon securing his throne. He probably thought this was an opportune time, but was it? What is going on in verse two and why?
4. Why was God punishing Judah? Take your answer from verses three and four.
5. We know God today as a God of mercy and forgiveness, but at the end of verse four, it says, “the Lord would not pardon.” How would you explain this apparent contradiction?
6. To get an idea of the military superiority of Babylon, look for a map in the back of your Bible (or online) and see how much territory is represented in verse 7. Find the Brook of Egypt (it was also known as the Wadi of Egypt or the Wadi al-Arish) and the Euphrates River.
Please Read II Kings 24:8-16
7. After Jehoiakim died, his son, Jehoiachin becomes king. He reigned for only three months. Why? Why do you think he did what he did in verse 12?
8. Nebuchadnezzar and his army sacked Jerusalem and carried off all kinds of treasures (verse 13). In the verse, it says that they “cut in pieces all the vessels of gold in the temple of the Lord, which Solomon king of Israel had made.” In the Book of Daniel, chapter 5 (the handwriting on the wall), it says that King Belshazzar gave orders to bring in the gold and silver goblets that Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the Temple. If Nebuchadnezzar had cut them in pieces, how could Belshazzar use them?
8. Nebuchadnezzar and his army sacked Jerusalem and carried off all kinds of treasures (verse 13). In the verse, it says that they “cut in pieces all the vessels of gold in the temple of the Lord, which Solomon king of Israel had made.” In the Book of Daniel, chapter 5 (the handwriting on the wall), it says that King Belshazzar gave orders to bring in the gold and silver goblets that Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the Temple. If Nebuchadnezzar had cut them in pieces, how could Belshazzar use them?
9. Verses 14 through 16 tell us that Nebuchadnezzar took large numbers of people from Jerusalem to Babylon, including Jehoiachin, his mother, his wives, his officials, and the chief men. He only left the poor of the land behind. Why did he do this?
10. As we read the Old Testament, we should constantly look for parallels to other events in both the Old and New Testament, and look for spiritual types or illustrations. There were three times that Judahites were exiled to Babylon: 605 BC (Daniel and his three friends, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah), 601 BC (Ezekiel), and 586 BC (the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple). They were released from exile 70 years later. The 601 BC exile is the one in this chapter. How is this physical exile an illustration of the spiritual side of things?
10. As we read the Old Testament, we should constantly look for parallels to other events in both the Old and New Testament, and look for spiritual types or illustrations. There were three times that Judahites were exiled to Babylon: 605 BC (Daniel and his three friends, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah), 601 BC (Ezekiel), and 586 BC (the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple). They were released from exile 70 years later. The 601 BC exile is the one in this chapter. How is this physical exile an illustration of the spiritual side of things?
Please read II Kings 24:17-2011. Nebuchadnezzar made Mattaniah, Jehoiachin’s uncle, king and changed his name to Zedekiah. Review: Why did he change his name?
12. Judgement began falling on Jerusalem during the reign of Jehoahaz, the son of Josiah. He reigned for three months. Then we get Jehoiakim, who reigned for eleven years. Following him was Jehoiachin (three months) and Zedekiah (eleven years). That makes 22½ years from the end of good king Josiah's reign to the end of Zedekiah’s reign (Zedekiah was the last king). What does this tell you about God’s justice? What does this tell you about God’s mercy?
13. Compare the wicked kings Jehoiakim and Jehoiachin with Jesus. Use Isaiah 9:6-7 and John 10:10.
12. Judgement began falling on Jerusalem during the reign of Jehoahaz, the son of Josiah. He reigned for three months. Then we get Jehoiakim, who reigned for eleven years. Following him was Jehoiachin (three months) and Zedekiah (eleven years). That makes 22½ years from the end of good king Josiah's reign to the end of Zedekiah’s reign (Zedekiah was the last king). What does this tell you about God’s justice? What does this tell you about God’s mercy?
13. Compare the wicked kings Jehoiakim and Jehoiachin with Jesus. Use Isaiah 9:6-7 and John 10:10.