2 Chronicles 36
2 Chronicles 36 starts out at a low point for the Kingdom of Judah and gets a lot worse before it gets better. Josiah who was prophesied to cleanse the land has recently been killed. The Judeans then install Jehoahaz, his son, as King. Jehoahaz is the first of four kings in a row whose reigns were considered evil. Eventually, Babylon overruns the kingdom and burns the Temple and the walls of Jerusalem. An untold number of Israelites are killed, a vast majority go into exile and a remanent stays in the land. It looks pretty bleak for the Israelites, until Cyrus comes to power and proclaims that Yehovah has told him to build Him a house in Jerusalem.
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Sections:
| Josiah | Jehoahaz’ Reign | Jehoiakim’s Reign |
| Jehoiachin’s Reign | Zedekiah’s Reign | Judean Exile Begins |
| Sabbatical Years | Spiritual Exile | Cyrus’ Proclamation |
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Josiah
Josiah
2 Chronicles 36:1
1 Then the people of the land took Jehoahaz the son of Josiah, and made him King in his father’s stead in Jerusalem.
Jehoahaz, the son of Josiah, is the next King of Judah. Josiah was killed when he interfered in a battle with Necho King of Egypt. Although warned, Josiah would not turn from the battle, 2 Chronicles 35:21-24.
21 But he (Necho) sent messengers (malak) to him, saying, What have I to do with you, you King of Judah? Not against you this day, but against the house wherewith I have war. For Redeemer commanded me to make haste. Forbear you from Redeemer, who with me, that He destroy you not. 22 Nevertheless Josiah would not turn his face from him, but disguised himself, that he might fight with him, and hearkened not to the words of Necho from the mouth of Redeemer, and came to fight in the valley of Megiddo. 23 And the archers shot at King Josiah; and the King said to his servants, Have me away; for I am sore wounded. 24 His servants therefore took him out of that chariot, and put him in the second chariot that he had; and they brought him to Jerusalem, and he died, and was buried in the sepulchers of his fathers. And all Judah and Jerusalem mourned for Josiah.
Josiah was considered a good King, 2 Chronicles 34:2-3.
1 Josiah eight years old (ben) when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem one and thirty years. 2 And he did right in the eyes (ayin) of Yehovah and walked in the ways of David his father, and declined to the right hand, nor to the left. 3 For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the Redeemer of David his father. And in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images.
It is important to understand that Josiah brought revival back to the land. Yet with all he did, it was insufficient. The Southern Kingdom would remain another 22 years before it was completely wiped out. The next four Kings would do evil in the eyes of Yehovah. In the end, Josiah’s revival was quickly forgotten.
Unfortunately, this is the end result of many revivals. They are typically something that happens on the outside. Because most revivals are short lived, they never last long enough to sink into the heart of most individuals. This is not to say that it does not occasionally happen. Because for every revival, there is a remnant that will continue forward. Revival is not the number of people or the level of excitement, a revival occurs in the individual that turns to a life of perpetual repentance. Revival is not what we see, it is what occurs in the hearts of the individual through the Spirit. For a revival to be successful, only one person needs to be affected for a lifetime. Depending on the number of individuals affected will determine if the revival of righteousness continues to the next generation.
Jehoahaz’ Reign
Jehoahaz’ Reign
2 Chronicles 36:2
2 Jehoahaz twenty and three years old (ben) when he began to reign, and he reigned three months in Jerusalem.
Jehoahaz was 23 years old when he began to reign. He only reigned 3 months before he was removed by the King of Egypt.
2 Chronicles 36:3
3 And the King of Egypt put him down at Jerusalem, and condemned the land in an hundred kikkar of silver and a kikkar of gold.
The King of Egypt deposed of Jehoahaz and takes him away in chains, 2 Kings 23:33.
33 And Pharaoh-Necho put him (Jehoahaz) in bands at Riblah in the land of Hamath, that he might not reign in Jerusalem; and put the land to a tribute of an hundred kikkar of silver, and a kikkar of gold.
Then Necho imposed a tribute of 100 kikkar of silver and 1 kikkar of gold. At the time of the previous Kings, this might not have been much silver and gold. However, times have changed and Judah had lost most of its gold and silver.
Jehoiakim’s Reign
Jehoiakim’s Reign
2 Chronicles 36:4
4 And the King of Egypt made Eliakim his brother King over Judah and Jerusalem, and turned his name to Jehoiakim. And Necho took Jehoahaz his brother, and carried him to Egypt.
Necho replaces Jehoahaz with his brother Eliakim and changes his name to Jehoiakim. Possibly, Jehoahaz may have done something to irritate Necho. However, nothing is documented in either 2 Kings or 2 Chronicles. Possibly Eliakim was more pliable or gained Necho’s favor. Again nothing is documented why this occurred.
Any speculation why this happened is just speculation. We should not go beyond what is written and just accept these as facts.
2 Chronicles 36:5
5 Jehoiakim twenty and five years old (ben) when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And he did evil in the eyes (ayin) of Yehovah his Redeemer.
Jehoiakim was 25 years old when he began to reign. He was older than Jehoahaz by a different mother according to 2 Kings 23:31.
31 Jehoahaz twenty and three years old (ben) when he began to reign; and he reigned three months in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Hamutal, the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah.
And 2 Kings 23:36.
36 Jehoiakim twenty and five years old (ben) when he began to reign; and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Zebudah, the daughter of Pedaiah of Rumah.
Jehoiakim, similar to Jehoahaz, did evil in the eyes of Yehovah. To obtain the silver and gold for Egypt, Jehoiakim will tax the land and extract the money from the people.
2 Chronicles 36:6
6 Against him came up Nebuchadnezzar King of Babylon, and bound him in fetters, to carry him to Babylon.
No longer is Egypt the threat, now Babylon is. Nebuchadnezzar deposes of Jehoiakim, puts him in chains and takes him to Babylon. There is no mystery to why Nebuchadnezzar deposed of Jehoiakim 2 Kings 24:1.
1 In his days Nebuchadnezzar King of Babylon came up, and Jehoiakim became his servant three years. Then he turned and rebelled against him.
Interestingly enough, 2 Kings records a different end to Jehoiakim, 2 Kings 24:5-6
5 Now the rest of the acts of Jehoiakim, and all that he did, are they not written in the Scroll (sepher) of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah? 6 So Jehoiakim slept with his fathers. And Jehoiachin his son reigned in his stead.
2 Kings never records if Jehoiakim was taken to Babylon.
2 Chronicles 36:7
7 Nebuchadnezzar also carried of the vessels of the house of Yehovah to Babylon, and put them in his temple at Babylon.
In addition to taking Jehoiakim to Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar takes the vessels of the Temple and places them in his temple. Although it does not mention it, these were probably either gold or silver. These may or may not have been the original vessels of King Solomon’s Temple. By this time, the original gold of the Temple had either been removed to pay tribute or was taken by foreign lands. Either way, there was not much left of value in the Temple compared to what was originally there. The Temple had lost most of its glory.
2 Chronicles 36:8
8 Now the rest of the acts of Jehoiakim, and his abominations which he did, and that which was found in him, behold, they written in the Scroll (sepher) of the Kings of Israel and Judah. And Jehoiachin his son reigned in his stead.
There are additional details of Jehoiakim’s reign in 2 Kings and Jeremiah. None of it is very good. Overall, Jehoiakim did not serve the people any more than he served Yehovah. Jehoiakim basically served himself.
Jehoiakim’s son Jehoiachin will reign next.
Jehoiachin’s Reign
Jehoiachin’s Reign
2 Chronicles 36:9
9 Jehoiachin eight years old (ben) when he began to reign, and he reigned three months and ten days in Jerusalem. And he did evil in the eyes (ayin) of Yehovah.
When Jehoiachin begins his reign, Chronicles records that he was eight years old; however, 2 Kings 24:8 records a different age.
8 Jehoiachin eighteen years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months. And his mother’s name Nehushta, the daughter of Elnathan of Jerusalem.
2 Kings records Jehoiachin’s age as 18 when he began to reign. Why there is this difference is not explained in Scriptures. However, it does not change the authenticity of Scriptures. God may very well have put this in there as a test for us. Some translations will correct the difference. However, the Hebrew clearly states the difference. We should not take liberties to change the words that were given to us.
Jehoiachin only reigned 3 months and 10 days. 2 Kings 24 only records 3 months. Jehoiachin, like the two before Him, did evil in Yehovah’s eyes.
2 Chronicles 36:10
10 And when the year was expired, King Nebuchadnezzar sent, and brought him to Babylon, with the goodly vessels of the house of Yehovah, and made Zedekiah his brother King over Judah and Jerusalem.
At the end of 3 months or when the year expired, Jehoiachin was taken to Babylon and was put in prison. In addition, more of the vessels from the Temple were taken to Babylon.
Oddly enough, it states in 2 Kings 24:12.
12 And Jehoiachin the King of Judah went out to the King of Babylon, he, and his mother, and his servants, and his princes, and his officers. And the King of Babylon took him in the eighth year of his reign.
If Jehoiachin only reigned 3 months then this more than likely is the 8th year of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign. However, this is not clear.
After Jehoiachin was disposed, Zedekiah his brother was King over Judah and Jerusalem. However, 2 Kings 24:17 differs as to the relationship of these two.
17 And the King of Babylon made Mattaniah his father’s brother King in his stead, and changed his name to Zedekiah.
More than likely it was the uncle, but this may be a misinterpretation of the meaning of דּוֹד dod (H1730) in 2 Kings 24:17. It is in the Bible 61 times. דּוֹד dod (H1730) is translated beloved 34 times, uncle 16 times, love(s) 8 times, father’s brother 2 times and wellbeloved 1 time. As such, this may be the translator’s opinion. The best that can be stated is that these two were related and both were in the line of David.
Jehoiachin will eventually find relief, 2 Kings 25:27-30.
27 And it came to pass in the thirtieth seven year of the captivity of Jehoiachin King of Judah, in the twelfth month, on the seven and twentieth of the month, Evilmerodach King of Babylon in the year that he began to reign did lift up the head of Jehoiachin King of Judah out of prison; 28 And he spoke kindly to him, and set his throne above the throne of the Kings that with him in Babylon; 29 And changed his prison garments. And he did eat bread continually before him all the days of his life. 30 And his allowance a continual allowance given him of the King, a daily rate for every day, all the days of his life.
It also states in Jeremiah 52:31-34.
31 And it came to pass in the thirtieth seven year of the captivity of Jehoiachin King of Judah, in the twelfth month, in the five and twentieth of the month, Evilmerodach King of Babylon in the year of his reign lifted up the head of Jehoiachin King of Judah, and brought him forth out of prison, 32 And spoke kindly to him, and set his throne above the throne of the Kings that with him in Babylon, 33 And changed his prison garments. And he did continually eat bread before him all the days of his life. 34 And his diet, there was a continual diet given him of the King of Babylon, every day a portion until the day of his death, all the days of his life.
2 Kings and Jeremiah record basically the same thing. After 37 years of captivity, Jehoiachin is given a special place with the King of Babylon. It does not state why, but we can be assured that Yehovah had something to do with this and possibly Jehoiachin may have repented of his evil. However, there is nothing documented either way.
Zedekiah’s Reign
Zedekiah’s Reign
2 Chronicles 36:11
11 Zedekiah one and twenty years old (ben) when he began to reign, and reigned eleven years in Jerusalem.
Zedekiah will reign 11 years. He will be the last King of the Southern Kingdom, Judah.
2 Chronicles 36:12
12 And he did evil in the eyes (ayin) of Yehovah his God, humbled not himself before Jeremiah the prophet from the mouth of Yehovah.
Just like the three before him, Zedekiah did evil in the eyes of Yehovah. Additionally, Zedekiah would not humble himself before the word of Jeremiah. It seems that Zedekiah was unwilling many times to go against the ruling class of Judah.
2 Chronicles 36:13
13 And he also rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by Redeemer. But he stiffened his neck, and hardened (amats) his heart from turning to Yehovah God of Israel.
Zedekiah was told several times by Jeremiah to submit to Nebuchadnezzar. Even if he was willing, the people were unwilling to do so.
2 Chronicles 36:14
14 Moreover all the prince (sar) of the priests, and the people, transgressed very much after all the abominations of the heathen; and polluted the house of Yehovah which He had sanctified (qadash) in Jerusalem.
Judah had reached a point that they were so far gone, there probably was not much that would change them. They had lost all respect for Yehovah and His house. They could blame their parents. However, sooner or later; we all have to take responsibility for our own spiritual growth. We are ultimately accountable to God. If we do not take full responsibility and change to the ways of Yehovah, we are not only hurting ourselves, but our loved ones and many others.
2 Chronicles 36:15
15 And Yehovah God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers (malak), rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place.
It seemed as if they were far gone. However, as long as Yehovah sees a glimmer of hope; He will continue to send messengers to help turn the tide of one’s spiritual condition. Yehovah often has more compassion for us then we have for our fellow man. We will all see this in the Restitution of All Things. We may be undeserving, but God still sees us as His and is willing to show compassion until the last possible moment. But there will come a time of Proverbs 29:1.
1 He, that being often reproved hardens neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without healing (marpe).
2 Chronicles 36:16
16 But they mocked the messengers (malak) of Redeemer, and despised His words, and misused His prophets, until the wrath of Yehovah arose against His people, until no healing (marpe).
They had finally reached the point of no return. One should avoid this at all cost. There is a day of reckoning coming. It can either be a reward or it can be the end. It is our choice. There is plenty of room at the top. Choose wisely now and it will become easier with each step you take.
Judean Exile Begins
Judean Exile Begins
2 Chronicles 36:17
17 Therefore He brought upon them the King of the Chaldees, who slew their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary, and had no compassion upon young man or maiden, old man, or him that stooped for age. He gave them all into his hand.
Because of their continual refusal to repent, Yehovah allowed Nebuchadnezzar, the King of the Chaldees, to bring the sword to the land. Yehovah showed no compassion for the people old or young, male or female. All had sinned and fell short of the glory.
2 Chronicles 36:18
18 And all the vessels of the house of God, great and small, and the treasures of the house of Yehovah, and the treasures of the King, and of his princes; all he brought to Babylon.
They took all the wealth of the land. They completely emptied the house of God and the land of Judah of any treasures left. They brought all this back to Babylon.
2 Chronicles 36:19
19 And they burnt the house of God, and broke down the wall of Jerusalem, and burnt all the palaces thereof with fire, and destroyed all the goodly vessels thereof.
After they emptied the house of God, they burned the Temple to the ground. They completely destroyed the walls. There was nothing left except basically ruins.
2 Chronicles 36:20
20 And them that had escaped from the sword carried he away to Babylon; where they were servants to him and his sons until the reign of the Kingdom of Persia.
Those that were not killed were taken back to Babylon. They became servants to the King of Babylon until the reign of the King of Persia. The Judeans like those in the Northern Kingdom went into exile.
Sabbatical Years
Sabbatical Years
2 Chronicles 36:21
21 To fulfil the word of Yehovah by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her Sabbaths. As long as she lay desolate she kept Sabbath, to fulfil seventy years.
Jeremiah warned these people several times what was coming. They ignored him just the same as they ignored previous prophets. Jeremiah told them in Jeremiah 25:8-12.
8 Therefore thus says Yehovah of hosts; Because you have not heard (shama) My words, 9 Behold, I will send and take all the families of the north, says Yehovah, and Nebuchadrezzar the King of Babylon, My servant, and will bring them against this land, and against the inhabitants thereof, and against all these nations round about, and will utterly destroy them, and make them an astonishment, and an hissing, and perpetual desolations. 10 Moreover I will take from them the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the sound of the millstones, and the light of the candle. 11 And this whole land shall be a desolation, an astonishment; and these nations shall serve the King of Babylon seventy years. 12 And it shall come to pass, when seventy years are accomplished, I will punish the King of Babylon, and that nation, says Yehovah, for their iniquity, and the land of the Chaldeans, and will make it perpetual desolations.
Do not be too hard on the Children of Israel, because this prophecy was not only for them, it was also for the New Testament Believer. In many ways, we failed to hearken to this warning and have continued to ignore it to this day.
The land was to remain fallow for seventy years to fulfill the Sabbatical Years in Leviticus 25:1-2.
1 And Yehovah spoke to Moses in mount Sinai, saying, 2 Speak to the Children of Israel, and say to them, When you come into the land which I give you, then shall the land keep (shabath) a Sabbath to Yehovah.
When the Children of Israel were finally exiled from the land, the length of time they were exiled seems to be based on the fact that they did not always keep the Sabbatical Years and the Jubilees. One could calculate how long this equates to; however, that assumes that the Children of Israel never kept a Sabbatical Year or a Jubilee. There may have been several cases when a Sabbatical Year or Jubilee was observed. It is just not recorded in Scriptures.
The fact that the Children of Israel did not keep the Sabbatical Years and Jubilees should not come as much of a surprise. Although they were forewarned of what could happen, they still did not observe the Sabbatical Years and Jubilees. However, being forewarned has never deterred people from doing the wrong thing. The Scriptures are filled with forewarnings that are basically ignored. Human nature being as it may, has a tendency to push beyond the limits that Yehovah will allow. They do this to the point of total neglect. We should learn from this.
The Children of Israel were forewarned again in Leviticus 26:33-35.
33 And I will scatter you among the heathen, and will draw out a sword after you. And your land shall be desolate, and your cities waste. 34 Then shall the land enjoy her Sabbaths, as long as it lies desolate, and in your enemies’ land; then shall the land rest, and enjoy her Sabbaths. 35 As long as it lies desolate it shall rest; because it did not rest in your Sabbaths, when you dwelt upon it.
Reading this should suggest to the individual that God was serious about the observance of the Sabbatical Years. If they did not keep them, they would end up in exile. One way or another, Yehovah would ensure that the land would enjoy its rest. This is not some obscure desire of Yehovah.
Spiritual Exile
Spiritual Exile
It is God’s desire that we fulfill Torah for our own benefit. Torah enables us to be a holy and righteous people. Without this, we cannot commune with Yehovah. God desires communion and relationship with His people.
The fulfillment of these warnings resulted in both a physical and spiritual exile. As New Testament Believers, we failed to guard the Kingdom of God from outsiders. Our failure was a result of us failing to be a holy and righteous people. Starting in the Second to Third Century, Christianity was overrun and the heathens took residence outside the court and preventing entry into the Temple. As such, we lost access to the Shepherd of our soul including the throne room of grace. A short time later started the 1260 year period, Revelation 11:1-2.
1 And there was given me a reed like to a rod. And the messenger (Aggelos) stood, saying, Rise, and measure the Temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. 2 But the court which is without the Temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given to the Gentiles. And the holy city shall they tread under foot forty two months.
During this time period, Christians were basically exiled and the word did not go forth, Revelation 11:3.
3 And I will give to my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.
With the word covered up, there would be no Spirit coming forth. This placed Christianity into a spiritual death state resulting in 2 Thessalonians 2:11.
11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie.
This strong delusion not only affected non-believers, it has affected Christianity as a whole. That is why the calling of today is Revelation 18:4.
4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, My people, That you be not partakers of her sins and that you receive not of her plagues.
Not only must we leave the Harlot Church, we must purge ourselves of her doctrine. This takes time.
Cyrus’ Proclamation
Cyrus’ Proclamation
2 Chronicles 36:22
22 Now in the first year of Cyrus King of Persia, that the word of Yehovah by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, Yehovah stirred up the spirit of Cyrus King of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also in writing, saying,
After the fulfillment of the seventy years, Yehovah stirred up Cyrus King of Persia. Isaiah prophesied of this in Isaiah 44:28.
28 That says of Cyrus, my Shepherd and shall perform all My pleasure. Even saying to Jerusalem, you shall be built and to the Temple, your foundation shall be laid.
Not only was this a prophecy for the return of the Judeans, it was also a prophecy to the New Testament Believer. This is when the 1260 years ended in Revelation 11:11.
11 And after three days and a half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.
Christianity came out of her death state and believers started to leave the Harlot Church, Babylon. Once again, they started to build the New Testament Temple of Ephesians 2:20-22.
20 And are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Yeshua Messiah Himself being the chief corner stone; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together grows to an Holy Temple in the Lord. 22 In whom you also are built together for a habitation of God through the Spirit.
2 Chronicles 36:23
23 Thus says Cyrus King of Persia, All the kingdoms of the land has Yehovah Redeemer of heaven given me; and he has charged me to build him an house in Jerusalem, which in Judah. Who among you of all his people? Yehovah his Redeemer with him, and let him go up.
Cyrus is a shadow of Yeshua. Cyrus comes from the Hebrew word כּוֹרֶשׁ Kowresh (H3566). It is in the Bible 15 times. It literally refers to the King of Persia and conqueror of Babylon. Cyrus was the first ruler of Persia to make a decree allowing the Israelite exiles to return to Jerusalem. Figuratively, Cyrus is Yeshua. Cyrus means possess the furnace. As New Testament believers escape out of Babylon, they will go through the Fires of Baptism to purge themselves of Harlot Doctrine. One must remain in the fires to be completely purged. It will take years for most people to be purged.
This leads into Ezra 1:1-3.
1 Now in the first year of Cyrus King of Persia, that the word of Yehovah by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, Yehovah stirred up the spirit of Cyrus King of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also in writing, saying, 2 Thus says Cyrus King of Persia, Yehovah Redeemer of heaven has given me all the kingdoms of the land; and He has charged me to build Him a house at Jerusalem, which in Judah. 3 Who among you of all His people (am)? His Redeemer be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which in Judah, and build the house of Yehovah Redeemer of Israel, He is the Redeemer, which is in Jerusalem.
So began the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem.
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