Isaiah, Week 7, Day 5: Isaiah 39

 Day Five

Read Isaiah 39 with Jeremiah 25:1-12; 29:10 

 1. After Hezekiah received the envoys from Babylon, what did Isaiah say would happen in the future?

He said the day  is coming when all that is in your house and storehouse will be taken away to Babylon.

 2. What was Hezekiah's attitude upon hearing this prophecy?

He said the word of the Lord was good, and he was glad it wouldn't happen in his lifetime.


3. How long did Jeremiah say the "Babylonian Captivity" would last?  70 years

Day Six

This overview is helpful:
The captivity of Judah took place in stages. In 605 B.C., Nebuchadnezzar entered Jerusalem, made Jehoiakim a vassal, and took captives to Babylon, including Daniel (2Ki_24:1). In 597 B.C., Nebuchadnezzar again invaded Jerusalem, deported Jehoiachin, and took additional captives, including Ezekiel (2Ki_24:10). Finally, in 586 B.C., Nebuchadnezzar destroyed the temple and took captive all but the poorest of the people (2Ki_25:1-10).  -Believer's Bible Commentary
Considering the prophecies of Isaiah 39 and Jeremiah 25:1-14; 29:10 in Day Five, read:

2 Kings 24:8-17--Jehoiachin 18-year-old king, did what was evil...only reigned 3 months. Nebuchadnezzer carried off him, his mom, all the treasures of the Lord from Solomon's time, pluse 10,000 captives.  He put his uncle in his place, renamed him Zedekiah (age 21, reigned 11 years). Jehoiachin was captive for 37 years, then King Evil Merdach of Babylon set him above other captive kings.

2 Chronicles 36:15-30-- here the emphasis is that Lord sent prophets to try and circumvent this, but because the people didn't listen and mocked them, they had to suffer 70 years of captivity.

2Ch 36:15  The LORD, the God of their fathers, sent persistently to them by his messengers, because he had compassion on his people and on his dwelling place.
2Ch 36:16  But they kept mocking the messengers of God, despising his words and scoffing at his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD rose against his people, until there was no remedy.

Daniel 1:1-7--During captivity, Daniel and three other wise men were appointed to be indoctrinated in the Babylon ways for 3 years, and eat the king's food,  with the intent that these men would be in leadership positions in the king's court.

Daniel 9:1-19--1st year of Darius as King of Babylon, 539 BC, 66 years after Daniel had been exiled. They had been in exile under Nebuchadnezzer since 605 BC. Daniel read in Jeremiah that the land must lie desolate for 70 years.
Evidently moved by Darius’ victory Daniel searched the Scriptures to understand the events of which he was a vital part. He understood Darius’ victory meant that the termination of the 70-year Captivity was near. Thus these significant events became even more momentous for Daniel.-BKC
Daniel was sensitive to the climate of the times, historical timing, and God's word.

 He prays and fast for his people and pleads an earnest, thoughtful prayer to God, full of self-reflection, admission of guilt, knowledge of God's greatness, asking for rescue for God's sake, the sake of His name, not theirs.
Every curse written against us in the Law of Moses has come true. Yet we have refused to seek mercy from the LORD our God by turning from our sins and recognizing His truth.  -Daniel 9:13
I find it interesting that Daniel had a copy of and was reading Jeremiah.  It makes me wonder about how much of the Word was written down, when, and how accessible it was.  I wouldn't expect Daniel to have access to it in captivity, but he was set apart and considered wise, certainly as part of the King's servants, had greater access than most.

Isaiah 44:28; When I say of Cyrus, 'He is My shepherd,' he will certainly do as I say. He will command, 'Rebuild Jerusalem'; he will say, 'Restore the Temple.

Isaiah 45:1-7--God said he would use Cyrus as an instrument to bring about judgement on other nations and allow Israel to return home.  Cyrus=Persian monarch. 

Isa 45:1  This is what the LORD says to Cyrus, His anointed one, whose right hand He will empower.

BKC: He Cyrus would easily conquer other nations (Isa_45:1-25 :lb), with God’s help (Isa_45:2), and would receive wealth from the nations he overcame (Isa_45:3). This he did in conquering Lydia and Babylon. All this would be for the sake of Jacob, God’s Chosen People (see comments on Isa_41:8-9). And even though Cyrus would enjoy a special relationship with God (God called him by name; cf. Isa_43:1) and was honored by God, he still was not a believer for he did not acknowledge the Lord as the true God.

 1. How were the prophecies regarding the Babylonian Captivity fulfilled? (Note: Darius the Mede is also known as Cyrus)  Cyrus the Great allowed Jews to return to their homeland and rebuild the temple.

 2. How has your study of the history recorded in Chapters 36-39 and previous chapters given you perspective regarding "recent" events in the world, your country, your church, your family, or your personal life? How might it help with your response to future events?

It's a good reminder that God's hand is over all history--personal and private.  His timing

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