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This weeks (Apr 28th, 2024) Bible Study is: II Chronicles 36:1-15(Click here).


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II CHRONICLES CHAPTER 36



Welcome to the end of sixth century B.C., the year is 500B.C., and we find Father had divided the Nation of the House of Israel into two separate Nationsthe House of Israel and the House of Judah380 years ago, and one of those Nations no longer being in existence: The Nation of the House of Israel which had consisted of ten TribesReuben, Simeon, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Ephraim and half the Tribe of Manassehand occupied the Northern territorieswhich are now in the hands of the Assyrians and no longer Israelite territorybut because of their ungodliness, had been into captivity by the Assyrians. The siege of the People of the House of Israel had taken place 113 years before this Chapter613B.C.and 2 then years after the siege began, they were taken into captivity by the Assyrians. At some point, the People of Israel had had enough of their Assyrian captors and many of them escaped the Assyrians by fleeing up over the Caucasus Mountains; so now we are down to one Nation: the House of Judah which comprises two TribesJudah and Benjaminand occupying the southern territories. At present, the House of Judah has as its king, king Josiah, who is in the eighteenth year of his reign and rule over the Nation. As we are reading in the The Books of the Chronicles(click here)we are reading things in the Esoteric, meaning, we are reading things from Fathers point of view or perspective, or in other words, events viewed from the Divine standpoint, and as seen and understood by the spiritual mind, to take that further, you could say, from the moral aspect, and you could go even further and say, for those with the eyes to see. The reason Father split the Nation into two separate Nations was because of the actions of Israels third man-king, Davids son, Solomonas can be read in I Kings 11:1-11(click here)taking unto himself many foreign wives, served their false gods and idols, built altars for those false gods and idols on Fathers Holy mountain, turned his back on Father, which angered Father and caused Father to tell him that He was splitting the Nation into two separate Nations, but not until Solomon returned Home to Him and his son Rehoboam took over the reign and rule of the Nation.

II Chronicles 35(click here)brought us king Josiah conducting and holding one of the grandest Passovers in all the House of Israels history, we read in II Chronicles 35:18(Click here)the following: II Chronicles 35:18 And there was noH3808 passoverH6453 like toH3644 that keptH6213 in IsraelH3478 from the daysH4480 H3117 of SamuelH8050 the prophet;H3050 neitherH3808 didH6213 allH3605 the kingsH4428 of IsraelH3478 keepH6213 such a passoverH6453 asH834 JosiahH2977 kept,H6213 and the priests,H3548 and the Levites,H3881 and allH3605 JudahH3063 and IsraelH3478 that were present,H4672 and the inhabitantsH3427 of Jerusalem.H3389   —>   A True and Awesome statement concerning Josiah and the People he reigned and ruled over.

After holding and conducting the Passover, there is thirteen year span of time which neither II Chronicles 35:20-27(Click here)nor II Kings 23:25-37(Click here)cover; as, the next we read concerning Josiah is during the last year of his reign and rule, and the last year of his life, when Pharaoh-necho, the king of Egypt decides he wants to go up to Assyria to get some of the spoils of war from the king of Babylon who over-ran and defeated the king of Assyria. In order to do so, he tries to go through Israelite territory, Josiah gets word that he is on his boarder and confronts Necho. Necho tells Josiah that he is on a mission from Father ELOHIM; that, he is not coming against Josiah, Josiah should just leave him alone and pass through his territory and all will be alright. Josiah decide he is having none of it and goes out to stop Necho and his army to his own demise. He disguises himself as a commoner and one of Pharaoh-nechos soldiers lets loose an arrow which hits and mortally wounds Josiah. Josiah tells one of his troops to put him in his chariot and take him back to Jerusalem where he dies and get buried with the righteous kings of Israel, which is how the Chapter closes.

This then brings us current, and we open this Chapterthe last Chapter of the wonderful Books of the Chronicles of the Kingswith Josiahs son Jehoahaz beginning his short reign and rule over the Nation.

With that introduction being said, lets go to Father and ask Him for His Blessings on our Study of His Word: Father, I come to You right now and ask that You Oh LORD Lead me and Guide me as I try and teach Your Word, dont allow me to mis-teach or mis-lead Your Children. We, Father, also come to You as a group who desire to Learn Your Word, to thank You for inviting us to Your table in order that we might be able to partake of and receive Your Spiritual Meat, and Father, as we prepare to dine on the sustenance which sustains our inner man, we ask that You Oh LORD open our ears and eyes, that we might be able to hear and see your Truths, open our hearts and minds and prepare us in order that we may receive Your Truth. We Pray for Your Understanding of Your Word, we seek Your Knowledge in Your Word, and most importantly Father, we Pray for and desire Your Wisdom from Your Word, in Jesus Precious name we Pray, thank You Father, Amen.

                         I Chronicles 10:1-II Chronicles 36:21
                            HISTORY (UP TO THE CAPTIVITY.)
                               (Division.)
                         I Chronicles 11:1-II Chronicles 36:21
                            THE HOUSE of DAVID. ESTABLISHED.
                               (Division.)
                         36:1-4 JEHOAHAZ. (Introversion.)
                         36:1 Jehoahaz. Accession.
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II Chronicles 36:1 Then the PeopleH5971 of the landH776 tookH3947 (H853) JehoahazH3059 (YHVH-seized; and, whom YHVH sustains) (yeh-ho-aw-khawzי) the sonH1121 of Josiah,H2977 (founded of YAH; and, whom YHVH heals) (Yo-she-yawי, or Yo-she-yawי-hoo) and made him kingH4427 in his father’s steadH8478 H1 in Jerusalem.H3389 (founded peaceful; and, the habitation of peace) (Yer-oo-shaw-lahי-im)   —>   Its funny; as, in making Jehoahaz king, the People by-passed Josiahs eldest son, whose name was Eliakim, to do so. Not to worry too much though, as, Eliakim will get his chance to reign and rule the Nation.

Will Jehoahaz be a good king like his father Josiah; or, will he be more like his grandfather Amon, and be an evil king? Lets turn to the parallel of this Chapter, to II Kings 23:32(Click here)and read what Fathers Word tells us there: II Kings 23:32 And he didH6213 that which was evilH7451 in the sightH5869 of the LORD,H3068 according to allH3068 thatH834 his fathersH1 had done.H6213   —>   As we read here, he was like his grandfather and great-grandfather and did only that which was evil in Fathers eyes. Remember brethren, Jehoahaz was twenty three years old, this means Josiah sired him when he was sixteen, this also means Jehoahaz lived for twenty three years watching his father do only righteousness, he never saw the evilness his grandfather Amon had committed. So, why he chose to do evil, only he knows.

Jehoahaz=For a detailed description of Jehoahaz, including his history, the etymology of his name, the Strongs Concordance definition of his name, and the Smiths Bible Dictionary information, click here.

Josiah=For a detailed description of Josiah, including his history, the etymology of his name, the Strongs Concordance definition of his name, and the Smiths Bible Dictionary information, click here.

Jerusalem=For a detailed description of Jerusalem, including the Nations history, the etymology of the name, the Strongs Concordance definition of the name, and the Smiths Bible Dictionary information, click here.

                                 36:2 Jehoahaz. Accession.
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II Chronicles 36:2 JehoahazH3059 was twentyH6242 and threeH7969 yearsH8141 oldH1121 when he began to reign,H4427 and he reignedH4427 threeH7969 monthsH2320 in Jerusalem.H3389   —>   Jehoahaz was a fairly young man when the People set him as king, remember, his father Josiah was eight, so that makes him fifteen years older than his father. We read in II Kings 23:31(Click here)that his mothers name was Hamutal, who was the daughter of a man named Jeremiah, who was from Libnah, which was one of the Priest Sanctuary cities, which we can then assume he was a Levite, and possibly a Priest as well.

…he reigned three months…=Not a long time to rule and reign at all brethren. Think Father was with him? Think he lived up to his name whom YHVH sustains as we read from Dr. Smiths Bible Dictionary, or from Daniel Jones Dictionary of Old Testament proper names Whom the LORD holds fast? Why didnt he rule longer? Lets continue reading and find out.

                                         36:3 King of Egypt puts
                                            him down.
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II Chronicles 36:3 And the kingH4428 of EgyptH4714 (land of the copts; and, land of the copts) (mits-rahי-yim) put him downH5493 at Jerusalem,H3389 and condemnedH6064 (H853) the landH776 in an hundredH3967 talentsH3603 of silverH3701 and a talentH3603 of gold.H2091   —>   Leta again return to II Kings 23(Click here)and read what Fathers Word tells us happened: II Kings 23:33 And Pharaoh-nechohH6549 put him in bandsH631 at RiblahH7247 in the landH776 of Hamath,H2574 that he might not reignH4480 H4427 in Jerusalem;H3389 and putH5414 H5921 the landH776 to a tributeH6066 of an hundredH3967 talentsH3603 of silver,H3701 and a talentH3603 of gold.H2091 [23:34] And Pharaoh-nechohH6549 madeH4427 (H853) EliakimH471 the sonH1121 of JosiahH2977 kingH4427 in the roomH8478 of JosiahH2977 his father,H1 and turnedH5437 (H853) his nameH8034 to Jehoiakim,H3079 and tookH3947 JehoahazH3059 away: and he cameH935 to Egypt,H4714 and diedH4191 there.H8033   —>   So, as pharaoh-nechoh was returning to Egypt from defeating the Assyrians, he stopped in Hamatheyes and ears open brethren; as, we know who the inhabitants of Hamath are, i.e., satans children: the kenitesanyway, while Nechoh is there, he sends a message to Jerusalem for Jehoahaz to come to Hamath, once there, he put him in chains and will take him back to Egypt with him. Its sad really; as, as the people of Judah are rapidly finding out, Nechoh has complete dominion over them and their lives. When Josiah was killed on the battlefield, the people of Judah made his son Jehoahaz the younger brother of Eliakim king over them; however, as theyre now seeing, Nechoh didnt agree with their decision, and said in essence, not so fast; as, he is exerting his authority and will place his puppet Eliakim as rulerread that, his vassalover them. Upon making Eliakim his vassal, he carries Jehoahaz back to Egypt and kills him. Fathers Word does not out-right state this; but, rememeber, Jehoahaz was only twenty three years old, he didnt die of old age or natural causes. In either case, Fathers Prophesy of Jeremiah 22:11-12 was fulfilled.

…an hundred talents of silver…a talent of gold=Remember brethren, one talent in Fathers Word usually equates to approximately 110-180 pounds. So, even at the low end of this, Necho is exacting 11,000 pounds of silver and 110 pounds of gold from Eliakim. Lets put this in perspective: 11,000 pounds is 176,000 ounces, and the price of silver at todays market, comes to approximately 4,496,800 US dollars. For the talent of gold, 110 pounds is 1,760 ounces, which at todays market comes to approximately 3,995,024 US dollars; a substantive sum of monies. But, every single ounce of this taxation which was laid upon the shoulders of each of the land owners went not to anything in Judah; but, to the king of Egypt. My how they have fallen, during David and Solomons reigns, Israel was the mightiest Nation in the world, and every surrounding nation paid tribute to them; not any longer, now it is our forefathers paying out tribute to other nations who are more mighty and powerful than they.

This will be the very last time that the children of the House of Judah would have a time of blessing from our Father; however, shortly, they will go into captivity to the Babylonians, and Father is going to punish them because of their forsaking Him, and, for leaning on their false gods and idols, and now Egypt. We have seen over the past few Chapters, that the House of Judah had come to a point of sinning far more than their brothers of the House of Israel ever had, and Father had punished their brethren Israel and sent them into captivity and then scattered them over the face of the earth.

Egypt=For a detailed description of Egypt, including the nations history, the etymology of the name, the Strongs Concordance definition of the name, and the Smiths Bible Dictionary information, click here.

                                         36:4 King of Egypt sets
                                            his brother up.
                                         36:4 Jehoahaz. Captivity.
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II Chronicles 36:4 And the kingH4428 of EgyptH4714 made(H853) EliakimH471 (YAH of raising; and, raised up by YAH) (el-yah-keemי) his brotherH251 kingH4427 overH5921 JudahH3063 and Jerusalem,H3389 and turnedH5437 (H853) his nameH8034 to Jehoiakim.H3079 (YHVH will raise; or, whom YHVH sets up) (yeh-ho-yaw-keemי)

And NechoH5224 (lame; and, lame) (nek-oי) tookH3947 JehoahazH3059 his brother,H251 and carriedH935 him to Egypt.H4714   —>   The kings and the people had turned their backs on Father and forsook Him, and He therefore likewise has forsaken His people and given them over to man. The king has no control over anything which happens in his own Nation, Necho is exerting complete authority, and total control over Judah; neither the king nor the people have any say as to what transpires.
Eliakim
Eliakim=For my description of the name Eliakim, see Jehoiakim(Click here)as they are one and the same. Therefore, for the name Eliakim, Ill only provide the etymology, the Strongs Concordance information, and the Smiths Bible Dictionary information: For the etymology of the name Eliakim, we read the following from Abarim Publications: The name Eliakim consists of two elements, the first one being אל, EL, the abbreviated form of אלהים, ELOHIM, denoting the genus GodFather in His Role of Creator of all things: The second part of our name probably comes from the verb קום (qom), meaning to rise or stand up: For a meaning of the name Eliakim, New Open Bible Study Edition (NOBSE) Study Bible Name List reads God Will Establish, Jones Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names has Whom God Sets Up, and Brown Driver Briggs (BDB) Theological Dictionary proposes God Sets Up.. Now from the Strongs Concordance, where we find that the name Eliakim is Hebrew word number: H471, - אֶלְיָקִיםi, - יelyâqı̂ym, - pronounced: el-yaw-keemי, and means: From H410 and H6965; God of raising; Eljakim, the name of four Israelites: - Eliakim. Total KJV occurrences: 12.. Now from the Eastons Bible Dictionary, where we read: The original name of Jehoiakim, king of Judah (II Kings 23:34). He was the son of Josiah..

Jehoiakim=For a detailed description of Jehoiakim, including his birth, history, the etymology of his name, the Strongs Concordance definition of his name, and the Smiths Bible Dictionary information, click here.

Necho=For a detailed description of Necho, including his history, the etymology of his name, the Strongs Concordance definition of his name, and the Smiths Bible Dictionary information, click here.

                                         36:5-8 JEHOIAKIM.
                                            (Introversion.)
                                         36:5 Introduction.
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II Chronicles 36:5 JehoiakimH3079 was twentyH6242 and fiveH2568 yearsH8141 oldH1121 when he began to reign,H4427 and he reignedH4427 elevenH259 H6240 yearsH8141 in Jerusalem:H3389 and he didH6213 that which was evilH7451 in the sightH5869 of the LORDH3068 his God.H430   —>   Jehoiakim may have reigned in Jerusalem for 11 years; however, his reign is really nothing; as, he is only king in title, for, he is nothing more than a vassal king of nechos, meaning, he is only there to do nechos bidding of collecting the tribute which necho has burdened Judah with.

…he reigned eleven years…=Jehoiakim was put over the Nation of the House of Judah in the year 499B.C. until his death in the year 488B.C., which means that it will only be another 11 to 12 years before the Nation goes into captivity to Babylon for 70 years. When Jehoiakim dies, his son Jehoiachin will take the throne for 3 months, and then Judahs last king, MattaniahJehoiachins uncle, Josiahs youngest sonwho will have his name changed to Zedekiah will be set upon the throne for Judahs last 11 years. In any case, the last three kings of the House of Judah were set upon the throne by man, not Father.

What is not stated here brethren, is that, Jehoiakim also made an arrangement with necho for him to protect Judah from the king of Babylon. In this, we see that Jehoiakim is now leaning on man and not Father, and not only that; but, which man? The king of Egypt, the same people who had held Israel captive and put them in bondage for 400 years, the same who Father commanded to never go back to.

The LORD=This Title of Father as used here in this verse, is Father in His Role of יְהֹוָה, YHVHfrom Dr. Bullingers Companion Bible Appendices: YHVH, YAHVEH, or YEHOVAHthe sacred and personal name of Father. While Elohim is God as the Creator of all things, YEHOVAH is the same God in covenant relation to those whom He has created (compare II Chronicles 18:31). YEHOVAH means the Eternal, the Immutable One, He Who WAS, and IS, and IS TO COME. The Divine definition is given in Genesis 21:33. He is especially, therefore, the God of Israel; and the God of those who are redeemed, and are thus now in Christ. We can say My God, but not My YEHOVAH, for YEHOVAH is MY God..

God=As used in this verse, this is אלהים, ELOHIMfrom Dr. Bullingers Companion Bible Appendices,: ELOHIMthe genus God, in other words, Father in His role of Creator of all things. From Dr. Bullingers Companion Bible, Appendix 4: ELOHIM occurs 2,700 times. Its first occurrence connects it with creation, and gives it its essential meaning as the Creator. It indicates His relation to mankind as His creatures (see note on II Chronicles 18:31, where it stands in contrast with YEHOVAH as indicating covenant relationship). ELOHIM is God the Son, the living WORD with creature form to create (John 1:1; Colossians 1:15-17; Revelation 3:14); and later, with human form to redeem (John 1:14). Begotten of His Father before all worlds; born of His mother, in the world. In this creature form He appeared to the Patriarchs, a form not temporarily assumed.. Dr. Bullinger further notes in his Companion notes to this verse, that (with Art.) = the [true] God..

                                         36:6 Nebuchadnezzar.
                                            Jehoiakim taken.
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II Chronicles 36:6 AgainstH5921 him came upH5927 NebuchadnezzarH5019 (may Nebo protect the crown; and, Nebo, protect the boundry) (neb-oo-kad-rets-tsarי) kingH4428 of Babylon,H894 (confusion; and , confusion) (baw-belי) and boundH631 him in fetters,H5178 to carryH1980 him to Babylon.H894   —>   Though not too much is said within this verse, there is quite a bit to unpack here brethren. Remember, Jehoiakim had been paying his taxes and tribute to Pharaoh of Egypt; however, what has not been mentioned here in Fathers Word, is that, though pharaoh had bested the Babylonians in Assyria, the Babylonians have now sacked Pharaoh and have the upper-hand; and now that king Nebuchadnezzar and his Babylonian army pushed Pharaoh back into Egypt, those taxes would now being going to a new king, the king of Babylon. Jehoiakim began by continuing to pay the tribute to Nebuchadnezzar, however, after a while, he decided he wasnt going to pay anymore. This is great if you have the power to back your stance; however, Jehoiakim being only a vassal king under Necho, he doesnt have the power to back his rebellion of Nebuchadnezzar. So, whats going to happen? His rebellious actions caused Nebuchadnezzar to come against him and Jerusalem, this will be the first siege upon Judah.

Who is behind this brethren? Fathers Word here in this verse says that it is king Nebuchadnezzar; however, lets turn back to II Kings 24(Click here)and read what Fathers Word tells us what happened: II Kings 24:1 n his daysH3117 NebuchadnezzarH5019 kingH4418 of BabylonH894 came up,H5927 and JehoiakimH3079 becameH1961 his servantH5650 threeH7969 years:H8141 then he turnedH7725 and rebelledH4775 against him. [24:2] And the LORDH3068 sentH7971 against him(H853) bandsH1416 of the Chaldees,H3778 and bandsH1416 of the Syrians,H758 and bandsH1416 of the Moabites,H4124 and bandsH1416 of the childrenH1121 of Ammon,H5983 and sentH7971 them against JudahH3063 to destroyH6 it, according to the wordH1697 of the LORD,H3068 whichH834 He spakeH1696 byH3027 His servantsH5650 the prophets.H5030 [24:3] SurelyH389 atH5921 the commandmentH6310 of the LORDH3068 cameH1961 this upon Judah,H3063 to removeH5493 them out ofH4480 H5921 His sight,H6440 for the sinsH2403 of Manasseh,H4519 according to allH3605 thatH834 he did;H6213   —>   As we see, it was Father Who is behind this, why? Because of Manassehs and now Jehoiakims unrighteousness. See, Jehoiakim not only rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar; but, he was actually rebelling against Father. He was a very unrighteous king toward Father and a harsh king against his own people even. How harsh was he? Again, lets turn back to II Kings 24(Click here) and read what Father says: II Kings 24:4 And alsoH1571 for the innocentH5355 bloodH1818 thatH834 he shed:H8210 for he filledH4390 (H853) JerusalemH3389 with innocentH5355 blood;H1818 which the LORDH3068 wouldH14 notH3808 pardon.H5545   —>   What all Jehoiakim did Fathers Word doesnt say or record; but, Father knew and as we read here, He did not pardon. I dont believe there is any kind word which can be spoken of Jehoiakim. As for the innocent blood mentioned in this verse, whose innocent blood did Jehoiakim shed? Our answer to this question is found in Jeremiah 26:20-23 where we read: Jeremiah 26:20 And there wasH1961 alsoH1571 a manH376 that prophesiedH5012 in the nameH8034 of the LORD,H3068 UrijahH223 the sonH1121 of ShemaiahH8098 of Kirjath-jearim,H4480 H7157 who prophesiedH5012 againstH5921 thisH2063 cityH5892 and againstH5921 thisH2063 landH776 according to allH3605 the wordsH1697 of Jeremiah:H3414 [26:21] And when JehoiakimH3079 the king,H4428 with allH3605 his mighty men,H1368 and allH3605 the princes,H8269 heardH8085 (H853) his words,H1697 the kingH4428 soughtH1245 to put him to death:H4191 but when UrijahH223 heardH8085 it, he was afraid,H3372 and fled,H1272 and went intoH935 Egypt;H4714 [26:22] And JehoiakimH3079 the kingH4428 sentH7971 menH376 into Egypt,H4714 namely,(H853) ElnathanH494 the sonH1121 of Achbor,H5907 and certain menH376 withH854 him intoH413 Egypt.H4714  [26:23] And they fetched forthH3318 (H853) UrijahH223 out of Egypt,H4480 H4714 and broughtH935 him untoH413 JehoiakimH3079 the king;H4428 who slewH5221 him with the sword,H2719 and castH7993 (H853) his dead bodyH5038 intoH413 the gravesH6913 of the commonH1121 people.H5971   —>   Jehoiakim slew Urijah, one of Fathers Prophets, who was prophesying against Jehoiakim, the people and the city, and Father wasnt going to, and didnt forgive or pardon Jehoiakim for this dastardly deed.

It wasnt only Jehoiakim who became Nebuchadnezzars captive, he was the king, so he went into captivity; but, so did many of the other high ranking officials of Judah, only people who were of no threat to Nebuchadnezzar and the Babyloniansi.e., the commonerswere allowed to stay in the land. This is the beginning of the 70 year captivity, which lasted from 496 to 426 B.C.. Fathers Prophet Daniel, author of the Book named after him, began his writings while he was a captive in Babylon.

…fetters…=Lets check out this word fetters in our Strongs Concordance brethren, when we do, we find that the word fetters is Hebrew word number: H5178, - נְחֹשֶׁת, - nechôsheth, - pronounced: nekh-oי-sheth, and means: For H5154; copper; hence, something made of that metal, that is, coin, a fetter; figuratively base (as compared with gold or silver): - brasen, brass, chain, copper, fetter (of brass), filthiness, steel. Total KJV occurrences: 140.. These fetters were chains of either brass or steel, but in any case, Jehoiakim was put into chains and taken to Babylon.

…to carry him to Babylon=There were four deportations: (1) Manasseh as we read in II Chronicles 33:11(Click here)we dont know in what year Manasseh went into captivity, or how long he was there in Babylon; but, we do know he was released and allowed to return to Jerusalem; (2) Jehoiakim as we are reading of here in II Chronicles 36:6, Fathers Prophet Daniel was included in this deportation as we can read of in Daniel 1:1, this deportation occurred in 496B.C.; (3) Jehoiachin of whom well read of four verses from now in II Chronicles 36:10(Click here)we can also read of Jehoiachins deportation in II Kings 24:14(Click here)Jehoiachins deportation will occur in the year 489B.C.; and (4) Zedekiah of whose deportation well read of when we come to verse II Chronicles 36:20(Click here)we can also read of Zedekiahs deportation in II Kings 25:7(Click here)Zedekiahs deportation occurred in 477B.C., and it was from this deportation that the seventy years of which well read of when we come to verse II Chronicles 36:21(Click here)below, and in Jeremiah 25:9,11,12 is reckoned from.

Nebuchadrezzar=For a detailed description of Nebuchadrezzar, including his birth, history, the etymology of his name, the Strongs Concordance definition of his name, and the Smiths Bible Dictionary information, click here.

Babylon=For a detailed description of Babylon, including its history, the etymology of the name, the Strongs Concordance definition of his name, and the Smiths Bible Dictionary information, click here.

                                         36:7 Nebuchadnezzar.
                                            Temple spoiled.
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II Chronicles 36:7 NebuchadnezzarH5019 also carriedH935 of the vesselsH4480 H3627 of the houseH1004 of the LORDH3068 to Babylon,H894 and putH5414 them in his templeH1964 at Babylon.H894   —>   When Nebuchadnezzar came to Jerusalem, he left Jehoiakim on the throne as king, if you want to consider being a vassal, a king, however, as we read here, he carried all the valuable vessels which we in Fathers House back to Babylon when he returned to Babylon. Now some of you may be wondering why Father would allow House House to be desecrated by these heathen like this; but, lets turn to Jeremiah 25:8-9 and read what Father says about Nebuchadnezzar: Jeremiah 25:8 ThereforeH3651 thusH3541 saithH559 the LORDH3068 of hosts;H6635BecauseH3282 H834 ye have notH3808 heardH8085 (H853) My words,H1697 [25:9] Behold,H2009 I will sendH7971 and takeH3947 (H853) allH3605 the familiesH4940 of the north,H6828 saithH5002 the LORD,H3068 and NebuchadrezzarH5019 the kingH4428 of Babylon,H894 My servant,H5650 and will bringH935 them againstH5921 thisH2063 land,H776 and againstH5921 the inhabitantsH3427 thereof, and againstH5921 allH3605 theseH428 nationsH1471 round about,H5439 and will utterly destroyH2763 them, and makeH7760 them an astonishment,H8047 and an hissing,H8322 and perpetualH5769 desolations.H2723   —>   It was Father Who put it in Nebuchadnezzars heart to come up against Jehoiakim and Jerusalem, why? Because they had not hearkened unto Fathers Words. He sent Prophet after Prophet to warn them and try to have our forefathers return their hearts back to Him, but, they would not; therefore, he was bringing the destruction upon them which He told them He would bring. And since He was sending Nebuchadnezzar, His servant, He didnt bring any calamity upon Nebuchadnezzar or his men when they entered into Fathers House and carried His vessels out of t.

                                                   36:8 Conclusion.1A8
II Chronicles 36:8 Now the restH3499 of the actsH1697 of Jehoiakim,H3079 and his abominationsH8441 whichH834 he did,H6213 and that which was foundH4672 inH5921 him, behold,H2009 they are writtenH3789 inH5921 the bookH5612 of the kingsH4428 of IsraelH3478 and Judah:H3063 and JehoiachinH3078 (YHVH will establish; or, whom YHVH has appointed) (yeh-ho-yaw-keenי) his sonH1121 reignedH4427 in his stead.H8478   —>   …the rest of the acts of Jehoiakim, and his abominations…=What were some of the rest of the acts of Jehoiakim? We read in Jeremiah 36, that in the fourth year of Jehoiakims reign and rule of the House of Judah, Father told His Prophet Jeremiah to write in a booka scrollthat He would forgive the House of Judahs iniquity should they choose to hear and harken to the Judgements He would bring upon the House of Judah if they turned from their evilness; however should they decide to not hear and harken to His words concerning their turning from the evilness they were committing, then He would indeed bring upon them all the calamity He said He would bring upon them, He would send them into captivity to the Babylonians. Jeremiah was to then take that book which he had written and read the words of that book into the ears of the People of Judah, because maybe, just maybe, some of them would hear and harken to Father and turn from their evil ways. Jeremiah then had his scribe, Baruch write all the words down in a book and take those words to the People. Baruch did as Jeremiah told him and took the book unto the People of Judah and read to them the words of the book while they were in the higher court, at the entry of the new gate of Fathers House. When Michaiah the son of Gemariah, the son of Shaphan heard the words of this book, he went to the kings house, to the scribes chamber and found all the princes there. Michaiah declared all the words he had heard to the princes. These princes then sent for Baruch so that he could read the words to them. After hearing the words of the book, they asked Baruch had he had written the words he pronounced unto them. Baruch told them that Jeremiah had told him the words to write. The princes then told Baruch to go hise himself and Jeremiah, and let no mna know where they were. The princes then took the book which Baruch had written, hid it in the chamber of Elishama the scribe, and they then went and told Jehoiakim all the words which they had heard. As a man named Jehudi was reading the words of the book to Jehoiakim, the king took a penknife and cut the book and cast that which he cut into the fire. Neither the king nor his servants who were with him were afraid concerning the words they had heard. Jehoiakim then sent for Jeremaih and Baruch, but Father had hid them from Jehoiakim. While they were yet in hiding, Father told Jeremiah to again write all the words He had told Jeremiah to write the first time. Jeremiah did as told, and wrote another book pronouncing Fathers Judgment upon the House of Judah. They were to then take this new book to Jehoiakim and declare unto him the following which we read in Jeremiah 36:29: Jeremiah 36:29 …‘ThusH3541 saithH559 the LORD;H3068𝔗houH859 hast burnedH8313 (H853) thisH2063 roll,H4039 saying,H559 ‘WhyH4069 hast thou writtenH3789 therein,H5921 saying,H559 ‘The kingH4428 of BabylonH894 shall certainly comeH935 H935 and destroyH7843 (H853) thisH2063 land,H776 and shall cause to ceaseH7673 fromH4480 thence manH120 and beast?’oH929 [36:30] ThereforeH3651 thusH3541 saithH559 the LORDH3068 ofH5921 JehoiakimH3079 kingH4428 of Judah;H3063 He shall haveH1961 noneH3808 to sitH3427 uponH5921 the throneH3678 of David:H1732 and his dead bodyH5038 shall beH1961 cast outH7993 in the dayH3117 to the heat,H2721 and in the nightH3915 to the frost.H7140 [36:31] And I will punishH6485 H5921 him and his seedH2233 and his servantsH5650 for(H853) their iniquity;H5771 and I will bringH935 uponH5921 them, and uponH5921 the inhabitantsH3427 of Jerusalem,H3389 and uponH413 the menH376 of Judah,H3063 (H853) allH3605 the evilH7451 thatH834 I have pronouncedH1696 againstH413 them; but they hearkenedH8085 not.’ooH3808   —>   Father had given Jehoiakim and Judah every opportunity to turn from their evilness, but they refused; not only did they refuse; but, Jehoiakim even cut and burned Fathers written warning to them as to what He wold bring upon them. Therefore Father told Jehoiakim that He would harshly punish Jehoiakim and his descendants. Jehoiakim himself would die and his dead carcass would be cast out, he would not be buried with the other kings of Judah.

…the acts of Jehoiakim…they are written…=They absolutely are written and recorded in both Books, and none of the writings and recordings are any good obviously. He too picked up with the idolatrous ways, worship and practices.

I like what Biblical historian Josephus wrote concerning Jehoiakim, so, lets read it too: But on the third year, upon hearing that the king of the Babylonians made an expedition against the Egyptians, he did not pay his tribute; yet was he disappointed of his hope, for the Egyptians durst not fight at this time. And indeed the prophet Jeremiah foretold every day, how vainly they relied on their hopes from Egypt, and how the city would be overthrown by the king of Babylon, and Jehoiakim the king would be subdued by him. But what he thus spake proved to be of no advantage to them, because there were none that should escape; for both the multitude and the rulers, when they heard him, had no concern about what they heard; but being displeased at what was said, as if the prophet were a diviner against the king, they accused Jeremiah, and bringing him before the court, they required that a sentence and a punishment might be given against him. Now all the rest gave their votes for his condemnation, but the elders refused, who prudently sent away the prophet from the court of [the prison], and persuaded the rest to do Jeremiah no harm; for they said that he was not the only person who foretold what would come to the city, but that Micah signified the same before him, as well as many others, none of which suffered any thing of the kings that then reigned, but were honored as the prophets of God. So they mollified the multitude with these words, and delivered Jeremiah from the punishment to which he was condemned. Now when this prophet had written all his prophecies, and the people were fasting, and assembled at the temple, on the ninth month of the fifth year of Jehoiakim, he read the book he had composed of his predictions of what was to befall the city, and the temple, and the multitude. And when the rulers heard of it, they took the book from him, and bid him and Baruch the scribe to go their ways, lest they should be discovered by one or other; but they carried the book, and gave it to the king; so he gave order, in the presence of his friends, that his scribe should take it, and read it. When the king heard what it contained, he was angry, and tore it, and cast it into the fire, where it was consumed. He also commanded that they should seek for Jeremiah, and Baruch the scribe, and bring them to him, that they might be punished. However, they escaped his anger. Now, a little time afterwards, the king of Babylon made an expedition against Jehoiakim, whom he received [into the city], and this out of fear of the foregoing predictions of this prophet, as supposing he should suffer nothing that was terrible, because he neither shut the gates, nor fought against him; yet when he was come into the city, he did not observe the covenants he had made, but he slew such as were in the flower of their age, and such as were of the greatest dignity, together with their king Jehoiakim, whom he commanded to be thrown before the walls, without any burial; and made his son Jehoiachin king of the country, and of the city: he also took the principal persons in dignity for captives, three thousand in number, and led them away to Babylon; among which was the prophet Ezekiel, who was then but young. And this was the end of king Jehoiakim, when he had lived thirty-six years, and of them reigned eleven..

Jehoiachin=Jehoiachin is Jehoiakims son, he is eighteen years old when Nebuchadnezzar sets him up as king. What did we just read Father say He was going to do to Jehoiakims descendants in Jeremiah 36:31? He was going to bring punishment upon them; and that is exactly what will happen with Jehoiachin, hell reign for a whopping 3 months before Nebuchadnezzar removes him too from being king.
Jehoiachin
Jehoiachin=Jehoiachin is also called Jeconiahin I Chronicles 3:16(Click here)and Coniahin Jeremiah 22:24,28, where we find the Divine syllable Jemeaning YEHOVAHbeing cut off of his name by Father to show Father had departed from the lad and that he would be cut-off because of his evil, wickedness. He was the son of king Jehoiakim and his wife Nehushta, who was the daughter of a man named Elnathan of Jerusalem. Jehoiachin was either eight or eighteen years oldwe read in II Kings 24:8(Click here)that he was eighteen, but in II Chronicles 36:9(Click here)he is listed as being eight this Pastor and the author of this Study believes he was eighteen and not eight, I say this because his father Jehoiakim was twenty-five when he was put on the throne, that means he would have had to sired Jehoiachin at the age of seventeenwhich was not uncommon for the timeand when heJehoiakimwas set as king at the age of twenty-five, that would have made Jehoiachin 8, and when Jehoiakim was taken into captivity eleven years later, that would have made Jehoiachin eighteenwhen he ascended the throne as king of the House of JudahI say ascended the throne; but, in reality, he was made king by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, who had taken his father Jehoiakim into captivity. In either case, he was made king in the year 489-488B.C., and he only reigned and ruledas Nebuchadnezzars vassalfor three months. Like many of his forefathers before him, he only did evil in Fathers eyes; hence Father dropped the Devine portion of his name, and referred to him only as Coniah. He only reigned for 3 months before he was taken away to Babylon during the first seige of Judah, which ultimately led to the 70 captivity. He lived at least another 37 years while in captivity, we know this because we can read in II Kings 25:27-30(Click here)and Jeremiah 52:31-34 that, in the 37th year of his captivity, in the 12th month, on the 27th day of the month, Evil-Merodach, who was now the king of Babylon, released him from prison, gave him kingly robes, gave him palace favors, which included settting his throne above all the other vassal kings, and even allowed him to sit at Evil-Merodachs table with him while eating, every day of the rest of his life. Neither his death or his age at the time of his death is recorded. For the etymology of the name Jehoiachin, we read the following in Abarim Publications: The name Jehoiachin (and all variations, we may assume) consists of two elements, the first part being יה (Yah) = יהו (Yahu) = יו (Yu), which in turn are abbreviated forms of the Tetragrammaton יהוה, YHVHfrom Dr. Bullingers Companion Bible Appendices: YHVHor YAHVEH(the sacred and personal name of Father). The final part of the name Jehoiachin comes from the verb כון (kun), meaning to be established or fixed: For a meaning of the name Jehoiachin, New Open Bible Study Edition (NOBSE) Study Bible Name List reads Yahveh Establishes, Jones Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names has The Lord Will Establish and Brown Driver Briggs (BDB) Theological Dictionary proposes Yah Appointeth.. Now from the Strongs Concordance, where we find that the name Jehoiachin is Hebrew word number: H3078, - יְהוֹיָכִין, - yehôyâkı̂yni, - pronounced: yeh-ho-yaw-keenי, and means: From H3068 and H3559; Yehovay will establish; Jehojakin, a Jewish king: - Jehoiachin. Compare H3110. Total KJV occurrences: 10.. Now from the Smiths Bible Dictionary, where we read: Whom Yehovah has appointed. Son of Jehoiakim, and for three months and ten days, king of Judah. At his accession, Jerusalem was quite defenseless, and unable to offer any resistance to the army, which Nebuchadnezzar sent to besiege it, II Kings 24:10-11. In a very short time, Jehoiachin surrendered at discretion; and he, and the queen-mother, and all his servants, captains and officers, came out and gave themselves up to Nebuchadnezzar, who carried them, with the harem and the eunuchs, to Babylon, Jeremiah 29:2; Ezekiel 17:12; Ezekiel 19:9. There he remained a prisoner, actually in prison and wearing prison garments, for thirty-six years, namely, till the death of Nebuchadnezzar, when Evilmerodach, succeeding to the throne of Babylon, brought him out of prison, and made him sit at this own table. The time of his death is uncertain..

                                                          36:9 JEHOIACHIN
                                                            (Introversion.)
                                                          36:9 Ascension.
1A9
II Chronicles 36:9 JehoiachinH3078 was eightH8083 yearsH8141 oldH1121 when he began to reign,H4427 and he reignedH4427 threeH7969 monthsH2320 and tenH6235 daysH3117 in Jerusalem:H3389 and he didH6213 that which was evilH7451 in the sightH5869 of the LORD.H3068   —>   …eight years old…=There is a discrepancy as to what is written here and what is written in II Kings 24:8(Click here)where we read that he was eighteen years oldthis Pastor and the author of this Study believes he was eighteen and not eight, I say this because his father Jehoiakim was twenty-five when he was put on the throne, that means he would have had to sired Jehoiachin at the age of seventeenwhich was not uncommon for the timeand when heJehoiakimwas set as king at the age of twenty-five, that would have made Jehoiachin 8, and when Jehoiakim was taken into captivity eleven years later, that would have made Jehoiachin eighteenwhen he ascended the throne as king of the House of JudahI say ascended the throne; but, in reality, he was made king by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, who had taken his father Jehoiakim into captivity.

In any case, like his father and so many of the other kings before him, Jehoichin only did that which was evil in Fathers eyes. And like so many of the other evil kings before him, Jehoiachin Never learned, never comprehended that his own actions were bringing his own demise upon himself.

…three months and ten days=Not a very long time to reign and rule, was it brethren? What happened?

                                                      36:10 King Captive.
                                                      36:10 Temple. Spoiled.
                                                      36:10 Supercession.
1A10
II Chronicles 36:10 And when the yearH8141 was expired,H8666 kingH4428 NebuchadnezzarH5019 sent,H7971 and broughtH935 him to Babylon,H894 withH5973 the goodlyH2532 vesselsH3627 of the houseH1004 of the LORD,H3068 and madeH4427 (H853) ZedekiahH6667 (right of YAH; and, justice of YHVH) (tsid-kee-yawי-hoo) his brotherH251 king overH5921 JudahH3063 and Jerusalem.H3389   —>   Lets turn to the parallel Chapter in The Books of the Kings(Click here)and read what transpired: II Kings 24:10 At thatH1931 timeH6256 the servantsH5650 of NebuchadnezzarH5019 kingH4428 of BabylonH894 came upH5927 against Jerusalem,H3389 and the cityH5892 was besieged.H935 H4692   —>   Fathers servant Nebuchadnezzar sent his army and servants up to Jerusalem to begin the second siege of the Nation. Remember, at this time, the city of Jerusalem was still pretty heavily fortified; or, protected by the thick walls which had been built many years previous. So this siege by Nebuchadnezzar and his army wasnt just a pushover; but, at the same time, it wasnt really all that difficult either, for, remember also, Nebuchadnezzar already had Jehoiachins father in captivity, so he could exert pressure on the young teenager. [24:11] And NebuchadnezzarH5019 kingH4428 of BabylonH894 cameH935 againstH5921 the city,H5892 and his servantsH5650 did besiegeH6696 H5921 it.   —>   It didnt take long before Judah and Jerusalem fell when Jehoiachin submitted. [24:12] And JehoiachinH3078 the kingH4428 of JudahH3063 went outH3318 toH5921 the kingH4428 of Babylon,H894 he,H1931 and his mother,H517 and his servants,H5650 and his princes,H8269 and his officers:H5631 and the kingH4428 of BabylonH894 tookH3947 him in the eighthH8083 yearH8141 of his reign.H4427   —>   Jehoiachin surrendered to Nebuchadnezzar, and when he did so, he not only turned himself over to Nebuchadnezzar; but, also his own mother, his princes and officers, his servants, and his eunuchs and chamberlains too. These were just the people listedwhich Josephus says, and verse 24:14(Click here)confirmsnumbered 10,832; now well also read of what else Nebuchadnezzar took. [24:13] And he carried outH3318 thenceH4480 H8033 (H853) allH3605 the treasuresH214 of the houseHH1004 of the LORD,H3068 and the treasuresH214 of the king’sH4428 house,H1004 and cut in piecesH7112 (H853) allH3605 the vesselsH3627 of goldH2091 whichH834 SolomonH8010 kingH4428 of IsraelH3478 had madeH6213 in the templeH1964 of the LORD,H3068 asH834 the LORDH3068 had said.H1696   —>   …carried out…=This taking of the treasuries of both Fathers House, the kings treasuries, and also the sacking of Fathers Temple and the city should not have been a surprise to Jehoiachin; or, anybody else for that matter, as, Fathers Prophet Isaiah had prophesied over a hundred years prior, that this is exactly what would happen. Why did he prophesy so? Because Hezekiah had taken the ambassadors of Berodach-baladan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, into Fathers house, and into his own treasury in order to show off all that he had, including his military strength. Isaiah told him that Babylon would come in time and take all that was in Judah. We can read of all this in II Kings 20:12(Click here)where we read: II Kings 20:12 At thatH1931 timeH6256 Berodach-baladan,H1255 the sonH1121 of Baladan,H1081 kingH4428 of Babylon,H894 sentH7971 lettersH5612 and a presentH4503 untoH413 Hezekiah:H2396 forH3588 he had heardH8085 thatH3588 HezekiahH2396 had been sick.H2470   —>   …Sent letters and a present…=So, no sooner had Hezekiah recovered from the illness which had nearly claimed his life, when, this Berodach, or Merodach, sends letters and presents to him. We read in II Chronicles 32:22-23(Click here)that it wasnt only Berodach who sent letters and presents, there were many other kings who had also done so, and it caused Hezekiahs head to swell; because, he now had very much richesof which he was boasting by way of wanting everybody to know aboutwhich replenished what Sennacherib had taken from him in II Kings 18:15-16(Click here)see, that depletion of Sennacheribs wasnt only of his treasuries; but, those of Fathers Temple as well. As far as this Berodach and his sending letters and presents is concerned though, why did he do so, do you think it was in order to just play nice-nice, or wish him niceties for getting better? No, of course it wasnt, as, these letters and presents were meant to achieve exactly what they did bring about, meaning that, through flattery, the King of babel accomplished what Sennacherib the king of terrors could not, i.e., defeat and over-throw Hezekiah, and take Jerusalem and all the House of Judah into captivity. Brethren, these letters and presents were more potent than all Sennacheribs army, and if youll recall from II Kings 8(Click here) and II Kings 9(Click here)and II Chronicles 18(Click here)when Ahab and Jezebel married off their daughter Athaliah to Jehoram, and when Ahab had even made a feast for Jehoshaphat in order for him to join him in war against Ramoth-gilead, that those two incidents were not nearly as effective as these letters will be. [20:13] And HezekiahH2396 hearkenedH8085 untoH5921 them, and shewedH7200 them(H853) allH3605 the houseH1004 of his precious things,H5238 (H853) the silver,H3701 and the gold,H2091 and the spices,H1314 and the preciousH2896 ointment,H8081 and all the houseH1004 of his armour,H3627 and allH3605 thatH834 was foundH4672 in his treasures:H214 there wasH1961 nothingH3808 H1697 in his house,H1004 nor in allH3605 his dominion,H4475 thatH834 HezekiahH2396 shewedH7200 them not.H3808   —>   After Father had Blessed Hezekiah with an extended life, and all the other blessings He abundantly bestowed upon him, pride entered into his heartthis should remind you of someone else, namely, Fathers and our adversary, satan, whom Father had Blessed during the First Earth Age when we were all in still our Spiritual bodies, by elevating his status to Protector of Fathers Mercy Seat; however, pride then entered into satans heart and he no longer wanted to be just protector of Fathers Mercy Seat, he now wanted to sit in that Seat and be godand when these men from Babel came with their many gifts and flattering words, there was nothing that Hezekiah wouldnt do for, or show these ambassadors; as, he wanted everybody to see all his riches. Not only did Hezekiah take them to and show them his gold and silver; but, he also walked them through his spice house, in which were all the known spices of the world, and showed them all his lotions, perfumes, and oils. He had even taken them on a tour and showed them all of Judahs armories, defensive fortifications and positions on the wall; and, then went so far as to show these men the secret places in his own house. There wasnt anything that Hezekiah wouldnt do for or show these men, all because of his pride in how Father had richly Blessed him. Remember brethren, Babel was the enemy, and Hezekiah had no business revealing all the defensive locations of the city to these men. Father blessed Hezekiah well for his desire to please Father. He was a good king, and a good Spiritual leader; and therefore, Jerusalem and the kingdom of Judah were the better because of it. Father gave him the additional fifteen years in order for him to have an heir and successor after he returned Home to Father. However, Hezekiah boasted and showed these men of Babel just how Father had blessed him; but, these men of Babel had no inkling of knowledge of Father. So, how do you think Father felt about what Hezekiah did here in showing off the wealth and might of Judah to this pack of heathens? Ill tell you, He wasnt pleased in the least bit with Hezekiahs boasting. See, Father wanted Hezekiah to tell all these heathens the truth, and say that He added the fifteen years to his life; however, Hezekiah never said one thing about Father, or that it was He; but, he in turn boasted, and elevated himself before these enemies. Hezekiah will pay a price for this sin of pride. We can read in II Chronicles 32:31(Click here)why Father did this to him: II Chronicles 32:31 HowbeitH3651 in the business of the ambassadorsH3887 of the princesH8269 of Babylon,H894 who sentH7971 untoH5921 him to enquire ofH1875 the wonderH4159 thatH834 wasH1961 done in the land,H776 GodH430 leftH5800 him, to tryH5254 him, that He might knowH3045 allH3605 that was in his heart.H3824   —>   These ambassadors from Babel came to bring their kings gifts to Hezekiah and Father allowed these ambassadors to come and do what they did, why? As we just read, in order to try Hezekiah to see what was in his heart. Father wanted to know exactly what kind of man he was, could He really trust Hezekiah when the trouble came? Hezekiah really could have elevated Father and His kingdom here; but, instead, he boasted of his own self-image and interests. Brethren, dont think for a moment that Father wont try you from time to time. When He has Blessed you, and has pulled you through a problem which had been controlling things in your life, did you share the source of that gain and tell others that it was Father Who pulled you through; or, did you tell them that you just overcame the problem? Here Hezekiah failed Fathers test of him. [20:14] Then cameH935 IsaiahH3470 the prophetH5030 untoH413 kingH4428 Hezekiah,H2396 and saidH559 untoH413 him, “WhatH4100 saidH559 theseH428 men?H376 and from whenceH4480 H370 cameH935 they untoH413 thee?” And HezekiahH2396 said,H559 “They are comeH935 from a far country,H4480 H776 H7350 even from Babylon.”H4480 H894   —>   As soon as Mer-o-daks ambassadors had departed, Fathers Prophet Isaiah comes to see Hezekiah to inquire as to who they were, and the nature of their visityeah, like Father YHVH hadnt already laid it on his heart as to who they were, and why they were there; and it was for that reason I feel that Isaiahs addressing of Hezekiah was more of a pointed barb, rather than a questionand Hezekiah tells Isaiah that they were ambassadors who had come from a far away country, a great country, and they were there in order to bring him gifts and well wishes. Brethren, you can almost hear Hezekiah wanting to burst with joy in his description as to who these ambassadors were, and from whence they came in his statement even from Babylon. [20:15] And he said,H559 “WhatH4100 have they seenH7200 in thine house?”H1004 And HezekiahH2396 answered,H559 (H853) “AllH3605 the things thatH834 are in mine houseH1004 have they seen:H7200 there isH1961 nothingH3808 H1697 among my treasuresH214 thatH834 I have notH3808 shewedH7200 them.”   —>   Isaiah next asks him what he had showed them; and, still bursting with joy and pride in himself at their amazement at all his wealth, Hezekiah proudly proclaims that he showed them everything within the kingdom; that, there wasnt any crevice, crook, or cranny that he hadnt opened for their inspection and look-see. [20:16] And IsaiahH3470 saidH559 untoH413 Hezekiah,H2396 “HearH8085 the wordH1697 of the LORD.H3068   —>   Uh-ho, thats probably what was most likely the first thought which went through Hezekiahs mind once Isaiah spoke the words Hear now the word of the LORD. Me thinks that Hezekiah now realizes that rather than open the kingdom for the ambassadors from Babel, he should have been telling them how it was Father YHVH Who had restored his life and bestowed the wealth he was now enjoying. I recommend to you brethren, if your pride ever gets inflated as much as Hezekiahs here in these verses; you better return to these verses and re-read what Father thinks and then says to Hezekiah through His Prophet Isaiah. Pride was satans downfall, and he will get his at the end of Jesus 1,000 year Millennium, when he gets tossed into the Lake of Fire and suffers the Second Death the death of the soul. [20:17] ‘Behold,H2009 the daysH3117 come,H935 that allH3605 thatH834 is in thine house,H1004 and that whichH834 thy fathersH1 have laid up in storeH686 untoH5704 thisH2086 day,H3117 shall be carriedH5375 into Babylon:H894 nothingH3808 H1697 shall be left,’H3498 saithH559 the LORD.H3068   —>   …all…=Hezekiah showed the ambassadors all, and therefore, Father was going to punish him for all. We read in The Book of Chronicles(Click here) and (here)though; that, it isnt just Hezekiah wholl be punished; as, it wasnt just Hezekiah who sinned, it was all, everybody, everybody in Jerusalem, and even all of Judah who had sinned, and therefore, Fathers wrath will be poured out upon everybody. This was a pretty astounding prophesy considering that, to this point in time Babel was of little consequence, because, Babel had not yet reached its level of power that it will come into. [20:18] And of thy sonsH4480 H1121 thatH834 shall issueH3318 fromH4480 thee, whichH834 thou shalt beget,H3205 shall they take away;H3947 and they shall beH1961 eunuchsH5631 in the palaceH1964 of the kingH4428 of Babylon.’iH894   —>   …of thy sons=At present, Hezekiah doesnt have any children; therefore, this is in reference to a future timeHezekiah didnt have his son, the heir apparent Manasseh, until the third year of Hezekiahs additional fifteen yearsand is also in reference to all the inhabitants of Judah. Here, Father is telling the House of Judah that captivity to Babel is in their future. He said it, and it will come to pass exactly as He said it will. Why will they go into captivity? Because of Hezekiahs pride, because of the pride of all the inhabitants of Judah, because of their idolatry, and because of their next king, Hezekiahs son Manasseh, wholl be the worst king in all of Judahs history. …eunuchs…=If they were indeed to become eunuchs; then, there would be no more seed to pass on of the royal family through the sons of the king. Have you ever heard of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego? They were the kings seed from the house of Judah. They were the princes who were taken away to become the eunuchs in the palace of king Nebuchadnezzar. Remember, Nebuchadnezzar had sent these kids to school, gave them the finest education of the day, and then even put them into top positions of responsibility in his kingdom. The name Nebuchadnezzar means, the god of learning. Books and knowledge is what Nebuchadnezzar built his kingdom upon, and Father used Nebuchadnezzar and old Babel to symbolically describe what the evil kingdom in the time of the end will be like. We read in Revelation 17, the following: Revelation 17:5 AndG2532 uponG1909 herG848 foreheadG3359 was a nameG3686 written,G1125 MYSTERY,G3466 BABYLONG897 THEG3588 GREAT,G3173 THEG3588 MOTHERG3384 OF HARLOTSG4204 ANDG2532 ABOMINATIONSG946 OF THEG3588 EARTH.G1093   —>   It will be through this Mystery, Babylon the Great, that the mother of harlots and abominations of the end times will come. Fathers and our adversary satan will set up his new world order religious system to replace the political system that we know today, and from that, satan in his role as the pretend-to-be-christ, will declare himself to be God, and all the people of the world will believe him. All, that is, except Fathers Elect, those who are sealed in their minds with Fathers Truth. Those things which happened in Daniels day were types, or as Paul put it in I Corinthians 10 ensamples, of how things shall be in this final generation of flesh man. Stop and look around you, see if you notice the four hidden dynasties of Economics, Education, Politics and Religion shaping our current time. Besides Religion, Education is probably the most important; as, it takes the children while they are still young and molds their minds into receiving the foundation of the new world order, look at our schoolhouses today. Gosh, theyre teaching them to reject Father and His natural things, including their own sex; at Christmas time in our schools, songs of peace by the new world order and not the birth of Jesus Christ are being sung. Peace on earth, and the unity and brotherhood of all mankind the political correct way. The purpose is to set up an educated world in order to live in satans new world order as good citizens. We read in Daniel 1, the following: Daniel 1:2 And the LordH136 gaveH5414 (H853) JehoiakimH3079 kingH4428 of JudahH3063 into his hand,H3027 with partH4480 H7117 of the vesselsH3627 of the houseH1004 of God:H430 which he carried intoH935 the landH776 of ShinarH8152 to the houseH1004 of his god;H430 and he broughtH935 the vesselsH3627 into the treasureH214 houseH1004 of his god.H430   —>   This was prophecy fulfilled from what Isaiah spoke here II Kings 20:18(Click here)and it happened a little over 90 years later. [1:3] And the kingH4428 spakeH559 unto AshpenazH828 the masterH7227 of his eunuchs,H5631 that he should bringH935 certain of the childrenH4480 H1121 of Israel,H3478 and of the kings seed,H4480 H2233 H4410 and ofH4480 the princes;H6579   —>   These are the kings sons and members of the royal family. Ashpenaz is the master of the eunuchs, and as such, the eunuchs are under him, and he rules over them. [1:4] ChildrenH3206 in whomH834 was noH369 H3605 blemish,H3971 but well favoured,H2896 H4758 and skilfulH7919 in allH3605 wisdom,H2451 and cunningH3045 in knowledge,H1847 and understandingH995 science,H4093 and suchH834 as had abilityH3581 in them to standH5975 in the king’sH4428 palace,H1964 and whom they might teachH3925 the learningH5612 and the tongueH3956 of the Chaldeans.H3778   —>   Are you starting to get the picture yet? The sons of king of the House of Judah are being groomed to be the servants of the king of Babel, they will be eunuchs who will not produce children in order that they wont upset the order of things in Babel. Nebuchadnezzar knows that the educated of Judah are very wise, with much understanding and knowledge, and he wants the most competent to keep controls on his kingdom. [1:5] And the kingH4428 appointedH4487 them a dailyH3117 H3117 provisionH1697 of the king’s meat,H4480 H6598 H4428 and of the wineH4480 H3196 which he drank:H4960 so nourishingH1431 them threeH7969 years,H8141 that at the endH4480 H7117 thereof they might standH5975 beforeH6440 the king.H4428   —>   The ole king of Babel took real good care of these children of Judah: he groomed them, educated them, and offered to feed them in the ways of the kingdom so that they would be able to take their appointed places within the one world system of that day; however, we know that they did not partake of the Babel sustenance; as, those of Babel ate not according to Fathers Health Laws as did the Children and People of Judah. Notice though, that, it would be for three years in the preparation, and then the entering into the palace of the king. Brethren, this is a type of what is happening today, it is a type of the world system which is being set up all around right now, and it is time for you to prepare yourself, so that, when the king of the latter days arrives on the scene, you will not be deceived by him. [1:6] Now among these wereH1961 of the childrenH4480 H1121 of Judah,H3063 Daniel,H1840 Hananiah,H2608 Mishael,H4332 and Azariah:H5838 [1:7] Unto whom the princeH8269 of the eunuchsH5631 gaveH7760 names:H8034 for he gaveH7760 unto DanielH1840 the name of Belteshazzar;H1095 and to Hananiah,H2608 of Shadrach;H7714 and to Mishael,H4332 of Meshach;H4335 and to Azariah,H5838 of Abednego.H5664   —>   Ashpenaz gave Daniel and the others their names because they were eunuchs in the halls of the government of Babel. Though this was prophecy even in Daniels day, it shall be, and is happening as prophecy before our eyes even today. The kings children of Judah had become eunuchs in the courts of the world order of Babel just as Father told Hezekiah it would come to pass through the mouth of His Prophet Isaiah. Those tablets which have been dug up containing of ancient writings of Babel, are now in the British museum and they support this writing of Fathers Word. So, here it is nearly a century later, and Fathers Word has come to pass. Father said that He was going to allow Babylon to come in and clean the entire house out. This was the reason that Isaiah was killed by Manasseh a few years later. [24:14] And he carried awayH1540 (H853) allH3605 Jerusalem,H3389 and allH3605 the princes,H8269 and allH3605 the mighty menH1368 of valour,H2428 even tenH6235 thousandH505 captives,H1540 and allH3605 the craftsmenH2796 and smiths:H4525 noneH3808 remained,H7604 saveH2108 the poorest sortH1803 of the PeopleH5971 of the land.H776   —>   This carrying away of the cream of the crop so to speak, happened eleven years before the deportation of Zedekiah and included anybody and everybody who might have been able to band together at a later date in order to try and mount a rebellion. The only People who Nebuchadnezzar had left, were people such as farmers who could work the land, which now was in his possession, this means that these farmers were actually working for Nebuchadnezzar and not themselves. The People Nebuchadnezzar had carried back to Babylon were princes and children of the wealthy who were sent to Babylonian schools in order to learn the Chaldee language and then to be used in various capacities in the Babylon empire. [24:15] And he carried awayH1540 (H853) JehoiachinH3078 to Babylon,H894 and the king’sH4428 mother,H517 and the king’sH4428 wives,H802 and his officers,H5631 and the mightyH352 of the land,H776 those carriedH1980 he into captivityH1473 from JerusalemH4480 H3389 to Babylon.H894   —>   In this move by Nebuchadnezzar, he left the Nation headless and rudderless, which is exactly what he wanted, a subservient, obedient nation. With this taking of the Royal Family, the Nation of the House of Judah is now in captivity. Jehoiachin himself would be held captive for 37 years. Father through His Prophets told the Kings and the People time and again to change from their idolatrous ways, and Honor, Love, Serve, and Worship Him; but, they refused to do so. So He next sent His Prophets who told the People that this captivity was going to take place, and it has now come to pass. Several of His Prophets paid with their lives for doing Fathers bidding, Prophets such as Isaiah who was killed my Manasseh; Uriah, who was killed by Jehoiakim, then there were others of which we can read of in Fathers Word: Jeremiah; Zephaniah, and others, such as Daniel who was already in captivity when he began writing and prophesying; Ezekiel and Nehemiah. As for Jeremiah, he was able to stay behind in Jerusalem and we can read in the Book named for him in Jeremiah 29, that he sent his letter from Jerusalem to Babylon, to the residue of the elders which were carried away captives, and to the priests, and to the prophets, and to all the people whom Nebuchadnezzar had carried away captive from Jerusalem to Babylon; informing them that Father said all would be well with them, that they should continue to live their lives as though they were not in captivity, that they should build houses, and dwell in them; plant gardens and eat the fruit of them; take wives for their men, and beget sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; that they may be increased there, and not diminished; that, this captivity would only last for 70 years, and then He would bring them out again. [2016] And allH3605 the menH376 of might,H2428 even sevenH7651 thousand,H505 and craftsmenH2796 and smithsH4525 a thousand,H505 allH3605 that were strongH1368 and aptH6213 for war,H4421 even them the kingH4428 of BabylonH894 broughtH935 captiveH1473 to Babylon.H894   —>   It was about this time that the false prophet Hananiah started falsely prophesying against Father and His Prophet Jeremiah, saying, that, within 2 years, everything which had been carried away from Jerusalem and Judah to Babylon, would come back. This Hanniah even when so far as can be read in Jeremiah 28 to remove a yoke from off Jeremiahs neck and broke it, falsely indicating that Father was going to remove the yoke of captivity from off of Judahs neck. Upon his doing so, Jeremiah very sarcastically said, AMEN, and then proceeded to tell Hannaiah what Father truly had to say, which was that, though Hannaiah had broken the wooden yoke, Father was about to place a yoke of iron on the neck of all these nations, that they may serve Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; and they shall serve him: and I have given him the beasts of the field also. Jeremiah went on to say that because of Hannaiahs causing the people to believe in a lie, Father was going to bring Hannaiah Home to Him, which came to pass in that same year.

Lets return now to II Chronicles 36:10.

Zedekiah=For a detailed description of Zedekiah, including his history, the etymology of his name, the Strongs Concordance definition of his name, and the Smiths Bible Dictionary information, click here.

                                                      36:11-21 ZEDEKIAH.
                                                        (Introversion.)
                                                      36:11 Evil-doing against
                                                        Father YEHOVAH.
1A11
II Chronicles 36:11 ZedekiahH6667 was oneH259 and twentyH6242 yearsH8141 oldH1121 when he began to reign,H4427 and reignedH4427 elevenH259 H6240 yearsH8141 in Jerusalem.H3389   —>   With Zedekiah now made kingeven though in name onlyover Judah, he will be the last of such. There will never again, in the flesh Age, be a man king over the House of Israel or the House of Judah, the next King will be KING of kings and LORD of lords, our Savior Jesus Christ when He returns for His Second Advent.

                                                      36:12 Evil-doing against
                                                        Father YEHOVAH.
1A12
II Chronicles 36:12 And he didH6213 that which was evilH7451 in the sightH5869 of the LORDH3068 his God,H430 and humbled not himselfH3665 H3808 beforeH4480 H6440 JeremiahH3414 (YAH will rise; and, whom YAH has appointed) (yir-meh-yawי-hoo) the prophetH5030 speaking from the mouthH4480 H6310 of the LORD.H3068   —>   II Kings 24:19(Click here)adds in the statement according to all that Jehoiakim had done. The Preacher, SolomonZedekiahs great grand-father to the upteenth generationtaught us in The Book of Ecclesiastes, that, there is nothing new under the sun, and ole Zedekiah is acting just like many of the evil kings of both Houses all the way back to the time of Solomon. Just what all did Zedekiah do which was evil in Fathers eyes? Lets continue reading and find out.

…humbled not himself before Jeremiah the prophet…=As we see, Father sent His Prophet to try and get Zedekiahs attention; however, Zedekiah wouldnt harken to what he was being told. Really, it was just such a simple task, Obey Father and all would be well; however, it was just something he could not allow himself to do, much to his chagrin, and just like many of Fathers Children today.

                                                      36:13 Nebuchadnezzar.
                                                        Rebelllion.
                                                      36:13 Father YEHOVAH.
                                                        Obduracy of Zedekiah.
1A13
II Chronicles 36:13 And he alsoH1571 rebelledH4775 against kingH4428 Nebuchadnezzar,H5019 whoH834 had made him swearH7650 by God:H430

but he stiffenedH7185 (H853) his neck,H6203 and hardenedH553 (H853) his heartH3824 from turningH4480 H7725 untoH413 the LORDH3068 GodH430 of Israel.H3478   —>   After failing to harken to Jeremiah, Nebuchadnezzar made Zedekiah swear a covenant and an oath that he would not rebel; however, Zedekiah broke his oath and did indeed rebel, why? Lets turn to Fathers Prophet Jeremaih and read what he wrote in the Book named for him, lets turn to Jeremiah 37: Jeremiah 37:1 And kingH4428 ZedekiahH6667 the sonH1121 of JosiahH2977 reignedH4427 insteadH8478 of ConiahH3659 the sonH1121 of Jehoiakim,H3079 whomH834 NebuchadrezzarH5019 kingH4428 of BabylonH894 made kingH4427 in the landH776 of Judah.H3063 [37:2] But neitherH3808 he,H1931 nor his servants,H5650 nor the PeopleH5971 of the land,H776 did hearkenH8085 untoH413 the wordsH1697 of the LORD,H3068 whichH834 he spakeH1696 byH3027 the prophetH5030 Jeremiah.H3414 [37:3] And ZedekiahH6667 the kingH4428 sentH7971 (H853) JehucalH3081 the sonH1121 of ShelemiahH8018 and ZephaniahH6846 the sonH1121 of MaaseiahH4641 the priestH3548 toH413 the prophetH5030 Jeremiah,H3414 saying,H559 “PrayH6419 nowH4994 untoH413 the LORDH3068 our GodH430 forH1157 us.”   —>   Zedekiah doesnt care one wit for Father, so do you really believe he sent some of his People to ask Jeremiah to pray to Father for them? [37:4] Now JeremiahH3414 came inH935 and went outH3318 amongH8432 the People:H5971 for they had notH3808 putH5414 him into prison.H1004 H3628   —>   As Jeremiah writes here, they had not yet put him in prison, but they will in a future date because he prophesies against what Zedekiah was doing. [37:5] Then Pharaoh’sH6547 armyH2428 was come forthH3318 out of Egypt:H4480 H4714 and when the ChaldeansH3778 that besiegedH6696 H5921 JerusalemH3389 heardH8085 (H853) tidingsH8088 of them, they departedH5927 fromH4480 H5921 Jerusalem.H3389   —>   Why did the Egyptians come up to Jerusalem? Because we read in Ezekiel 17:15, that Zedekiah had sent ambassadors down to pharaoh asking for horses and much men; and as pharaohs army which was being led by his calvary, began to enter into Jersualem, the Babylonians saw them and they them fled back to Babylon. [37:6] Then cameH1961 the wordH1697 of the LORDH3068 untoH413 the prophetH5030 Jeremiah,H3414 saying,H559 [37:7] “ThusH3541 saithH559 the LORD,H3068 the GodH430 of Israel;H3478 ‘ThusH3541 shall ye sayH559 toH413 the kingH4428 of Judah,H3063 that sentH7971 you untoH413 Me to enquireH1875 of Me; ‘Behold,H2009 Pharaoh’sH6547 army,H2428 which is come forthH3318 to helpH5833 you, shall returnH7725 to EgyptH4714 into their own land.H776    —>   Once the Egyptians had driven the Babylonians our of Judah and all was secure, they returned to Egypt; it was then that the Babylonians fulfilled Fathers plan for the destruction of Judah because of their rebelliousness and forsaking Him. [37:8] And the ChaldeansH3778 shall come again,H7725 and fightH3898 againstH5921 thisH2063 city,H5892 and takeH3920 it, and burnH8313 it with fire.’oH784   —>   Father said it and it is going to come to pass, the city, including His House, shall burn and be destroyed, and Judah and Jerusalem is going to go into captivity for 70 years.

Father sent prophet after prophet to Judah to try to get them to turn to Him and Him alone; but, they refused to hear His Word. Likewise also brethren, Father gave us His Word, His Love Letter to us that all we have to do is Read it, not listen to man try and explain it to us, and He will be Faithful to us and Good to us; however, sadly, because of so many not being able to actually read it for themselves, they teach is that it is hard to read and understand. Therefore, most go along with that line of thought, that its too hard to read and understand and therefore, dont. In doing so, they never come to the Knowledge of Father, never come to an Understanding of Him, and they also never gain His Wisdom.

For those of you who are like myself and dont know what the word obduracy that Dr. Bullinger and I used in the Structural Outline above means; here is the definition: Unmoved by moral or righteous persuasion, stubborn, unyielding; synonyms include: inflexible, obstinate, and unbending. These are exactly the traits which we see in Zedekiah here towards Father. Zedekiah however, was easily persuaded by those who lied to him and told him that Fathers Word would not come to pass, that they werent going to go into captivity to the Babylonians.

                                                      36:14 Priests and People.
                                                        Evil-doing.
1A14
II Chronicles 36:14 MoreoverH1571 allH3605 the chiefH8269 of the priests,H3548 and the people,H5971 transgressed very muchH7235 H4603 H4604 after allH3605 the abominationsH8141 of the heathen;H1471 and pollutedH2930 (H853) the houseH1004 of the LORDH3068 whichH834 He had hallowedH6942 in Jerusalem.H3389   —>   Just like our Nation and the world all around us today, here we see that under the last three kings of Judah, the morals of the Nation are going downhill, decaying into degeneracy and depravity. Our church houses who used to stand against all this, have now joined in and have allowed homosexuals, homosexual pastors, and today, 2024, have now brought in transgendered perverts to sexualize and deprave the morals of our children. Father sees all this brethren and He doesnt like it, however, He will allow it to come to pass as, He tells us in His Word, that this has to happen at the end of this Age. We are being set-up for the false christ to be here prior to the True Christs Return for His Second Advent.

                                                      36:15 Father YEHOVAH.
                                                        Remonstrance.
1A15
II Chronicles 36:15 And the LORDH3068 GodH430 of their fathersH1 sentH7971 toH5921 them byH3027 His messengers,H4397 rising up betimes,H7925 and sending;H7971 becauseH3588 He had compassionH2550 onH5921 His People,H5971 and onH5921 His dwelling place:H4583   —>   …the LORD God of their fathers sent to them by His messengers…=Time and time again, and again, Father sent His Prophets to the king and His People, trying to get their attention to be hearers and doers of His Word; but, they would not harken to His Word, His Prophets or Him, they too thoroughly enjoyed the ways of the heathen. Much like in the church houses today, they too are too thoroughly enjoying teaching their unGody customs, doctrine, and dogma, and sadly, the people are too willing to accept what they hear without checking out what they are being taught in Fathers Word. When a Pastor tries to reach out to them to Hear Fathers True Doctrine, they reject what that True Pastor is trying to teach them, and in reality, they are rejecting Father and His Doctrine .

…rising up betimes…=Dr. Bullinger note in his Companion Notes to this phrase, that this is an Anthropopatheia, which he notes in his Appendix 6(Click here)means Ascribing to God what belongs to human and rational beings, irrational creatures, or inanimate things..

…because He had compassion on His People…=Father does have compassion on we His Children. What does Peter tell us in his II Epistle? II Peter 3:9 TheG3588 LordG2962 is not slackG1019 G3756 concerning his promise,G1860 asG5613 some menG5100 countG2233 slackness;G1022 butG235 is longsufferingG3114 toG1519 us-ward,G2248 notG3361 willingG1014 that anyG5100 should perish,G622 butG235 that allG3956 should comeG5562 toG1519 repentance.G3341   —>   Father doesnt desire any of us to perish; however, just as He sent the Hou0se of Israel into captivity to the Assyrians,and is about to send the House of Judah into captivity to the Babylonians, He will in the future, have tobecause of our own actions, yes brethren, that decision is ours, it is our choice; as, He gave us His instructions, therefore it is up to us to obey and follow His instructionscast some of us into the Lake of Fire at the end of Jesus 1,000 year Millennial reign.

What happened when time and again He sent His Prophets to Zedekiah and the House of Judah?

                                                      36:16 Father YEHOVAH.
                                                        Remonstrance.
1A16
II Chronicles 36:16 But they mockedH1961 H3931 the messengersH4397 of God,H430 and despisedH959 His words,H1697 and misusedH8591 His prophets,H5030 untilH5704 the wrathH2534 of the LORDH3068 aroseH5927 against His People,H5971 tillH5704 there was noH369 remedy.H4832   —>   What do we read concerning this mocking and misusing of Fathers Prophets in Matthew 23:37(Click here)? Matthew 23:37 O Jerusalem,G2419 Jerusalem,G2419 thou that killestG615 theG3588 prophets,G4396 andG2532 stonestG3036 them which are sentG649 untoG4314 thee,G846 how oftenG4212 wouldG2309 I have gathered thy children together,G1996 G4675 G5043 even asG3739 G5158 a henG3733 gatherethG1996 herG1438 chickensG3556 underG5259 her wings,G4420 andG2532 ye wouldG2309 not!G3756   —>   Father would have gathered them for go and not calamity, He wouldnt have sent them into captivity; but, they not only refused to be hearers and doers of His Word; but, when He sent His Prophets to them to try and get their attention, they mocked and misused and stoned His Prophets. Jeremiah himself was thrown into a pit, lets listen to Biblical historian Josephus tell of what transpired: But Jeremiah came among them, and prophesied what contradicted those predictions, and what proved to be true, that they did ill, and deluded the king; that the Egyptians would be of no advantage to them, but that the king of Babylon would renew the war against Jerusalem, and besiege it again, and would destroy the people by famine, and carry away those that remained into captivity, and would take away what they had as spoils, and would carry off those riches that were in the temple; nay, that, besides this, he would burn it, and utterly overthrow the city, and that they should serve him and his posterity seventy years; that then the Persians and the Medes should put an end to their servitude, and overthrow the Babylonians; and that we shall be dismissed, and return to this land, and rebuild the temple, and restore Jerusalem. When Jeremiah said this, the greater part believed him; but the rulers, and those that were wicked, despised him, as one disordered in his senses. Now he had resolved to go elsewhere, to his own country, which was called Anathoth, and was twenty furlongs distant from Jerusalem; (13) and as he was going, one of the rulers met him, and seized upon him, and accused him falsely, as though he were going as a deserter to the Babylonians; but Jeremiah said that he accused him falsely, and added, that he was only going to his own country; but the other would not believe him, but seized upon him, and led him away to the rulers, and laid an accusation against him, under whom he endured all sorts of torments and tortures, and was reserved to be punished; and this was the condition he was in for some time, while he suffered what I have already described unjustly. Now in the ninth year of the reign of Zedekiah, on the tenth day of the tenth month, the king of Babylon made a second expedition against Jerusalem, and lay before it eighteen months, and besieged it with the utmost application. There came upon them also two of the greatest calamities at the same time that Jerusalem was besieged, a famine and a pestilential distemper, and made great havoc of them. And though the prophet Jeremiah was in prison, he did not rest, but cried out, and proclaimed aloud, and exhorted the multitude to open their gates, and admit the king of Babylon, for that if they did so, they should be preserved, and their whole families; but if they did not so, they should be destroyed; and he foretold, that if any one staid in the city, he should certainly perish by one of these ways, - either be consumed by the famine, or slain by the enemys sword; but that if he would flee to the enemy, he should escape death. Yet did not these rulers who heard believe him, even when they were in the midst of their sore calamities; but they came to the king, and in their anger informed him what Jeremiah had said, and accused him, and complained of the prophet as of a madman, and one that disheartened their minds, and by the denunciation of miseries weakened the alacrity of the multitude, who were otherwise ready to expose themselves to dangers for him, and for their country, while he, in a way of threatening, warned them to flee to the enemy, and told them that the city should certainly be taken, and be utterly destroyed. But for the king himself, he was not at all irritated against Jeremiah, such was his gentle and righteous disposition; yet, that he might not be engaged in a quarrel with those rulers at such a time, by opposing what they intended, he let them do with the prophet whatsoever they would; whereupon, when the king had granted them such a permission, they presently came into the prison, and took him, and let him down with a cord into a pit full of mire, that he might be suffocated, and die of himself. So he stood up to the neck in the mire which was all about him, and so continued; but there was one of the kings servants, who was in esteem with him, an Ethiopian by descent, who told the king what a state the prophet was in, and said that his friends and his rulers had done evil in putting the prophet into the mire, and by that means contriving against him that he should suffer a death more bitter than that by his bonds only. When the king heard this, he repented of his having delivered up the prophet to the rulers, and bid the Ethiopian take thirty men of the kings guards, and cords with them, and whatsoever else they understood to be necessary for the prophets preservation, and to draw him up immediately. So the Ethiopian took the men he was ordered to take, and drew up the prophet out of the mire, and left him at liberty [in the prison]. But when the king had sent to call him privately, and inquired what he could say to him from God, which might be suitable to his present circumstances, and desired him to inform him of it, Jeremiah replied, that he had somewhat to say; but he said withal, he should not be believed, nor, if he admonished them, should be hearkened to; for, said he, thy friends have determined to destroy me, as though I had been guilty of some wickedness; and where are now those men who deceived us, and said that the king of Babylon would not come and fight against us any more? but I am afraid now to speak the truth, lest thou shouldst condemn me to die. And when the king had assured him upon oath, that he would neither himself put him to death, nor deliver him up to the rulers, he became bold upon that assurance that was given him, and gave him this advice: That he should deliver the city up to the Babylonians; and he said that it was God who prophesied this by him, that [he must do so] if he would be preserved, and escape out of the danger he was in, and that then neither should the city fall to the ground, nor should the temple be burned; but that [if he disobeyed] he would be the cause of these miseries coming upon the citizens, and of the calamity that would befall his whole house. When the king heard this, he said that he would willingly do what he persuaded him to, and what he declared would be to his advantage, but that he was afraid of those of his own country that had fallen away to the Babylonians, lest he should be accused by them to the king of Babylon, and be punished. But the prophet encouraged him, and said he had no cause to fear such punishment, for that he should not have the experience of any misfortune, if he would deliver all up to the Babylonians, neither himself, nor his children, nor his wives, and that the temple should then continue unhurt. So when Jeremiah had said this, the king let him go, and charged him to betray what they had resolved on to none of the citizens, nor to tell any of these matters to any of the rulers, if they should have learned that he had been sent for, and should inquire of him what it was that he was sent for, and what he had said to him; but to pretend to them that he besought him that he might not be kept in bonds and in prison. And indeed he said so to them; for they came to the, prophet, and asked him what advice it was that he came to give the king relating to them. XXXXXX .
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