Babylonian Captivity: Difference between revisions

[[file:Cyrus II le Grand et les Hébreux.jpg |thumb| 300px | ''The Clemency of Cyrus the Great Toward the Hebrews'', housed in the National Library of France: King Cyrus of Persia liberated the Jews who had been taken captive to Babylon.]]

The '''Babylonian Captivity''', also known as the Babylonian Exile, refers to the deportation and relocation of the people of southern Kingdom of Judah to [[Babylon]] during the Neo-Babylonian Empire. This event is traditionally seen as a consequence of their disregard for God’s warnings and violation of His laws.  

Zedekiah, the last king of the Kingdom of Judah, ignored God’s warnings to surrender to Babylon. Upon ascending the throne, he allied with the pro-Egyptian faction in an attempt to resist Babylonian rule. As the political situation worsened, Zedekiah sought the prophet Jeremiah’s intercession, asking him to pray to God However, Jeremiah conveyed God Elohim’s will, which commanded submission to the Babylonian king, and urged surrender.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah+21%3A1-14&version=NIV |title=Jeremiah 21:1–14 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah+27%3A1-22&version=NIV |title=Jeremiah 27:1–22 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> In contrast, the false prophet Hananiah opposed Jeremiah’s message, falsely proclaiming that God would overthrow Babylon within two years.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah%2028&version=NIV |title=Jeremiah 28 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref>

After the 70 years foretold by the prophet Jeremiah,<ref name=":0" /> God raised up King Cyrus of Persia to defeat Babylon and free the exiled people of Judah in 537 B.C. ).<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezra+1%3A1-3&version=NIV |title=Ezra 1:1–3 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Daniel+5%3A30&version=NIV |title=Daniel 5:30 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> This event fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah concerning Cyrus, which had been given 170 years earlier.<ref name=":1" />

Around 457 B.C., 80 years after the first return of the people of Judah, the second return took place under the leadership of [[Book of Ezra|Ezra]]. A 16th-generation descendant of the high priest [[Aaron]], Ezra was a scholar and priest highly knowledgeable in the law. He had earned the trust of King Artaxerxes of Persia, and his decision to return to Judah was motivated by his commitment to study, follow, and teach the law of [[Jehovah]], along with His statutes and ordinances.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezra+7%3A1-10&version=NIV |title=Ezra 7:1–10 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref>

King Artaxerxes granted Ezra permission to return and issued a decree allowing any Israelite who wished to join him in returning to Jerusalem. Offerings designated for use in the temple of God were entrusted to Ezra for transport. Additionally, the decree stated that priests and others serving in the temple of God would be exempt from taxation. The people were to be judged and instructed in accordance with [[Law of God|God’s law]], and individuals who failed to follow the commands of God and the king would face appropriate punishment.

With God’s help, Ezra gathered those wishing to return to Judah, bringing offerings and sacred vessels for the temple. Before departing for Jerusalem, he discovered that there were no [[Levite|Levites]] among the second wave of returnees to serve in the temple. Ezra then sought out descendants of the Levites and persuaded them to join the journey. A group of approximately 2,000, including priests, descendants of the King [[David]], Levites, and others, set out for Jerusalem. They [[Fasting|fasted]] and prayed for God’s protection, and their prayers were answered, allowing them to reach Jerusalem safely.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezra+8%3A1-23&version=NIV |title=Ezra 8:1–23 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref>

After the northern Kingdom of Israel, which had abandoned God and worshiped foreign gods, was destroyed by the Assyrian Empire, the southern Kingdom of Judah persisted until around 586 B.C. due to the efforts of kings, such as Hezekiah and Josiah, who upheld God’s covenant. Under their leadership, Judah observed the [[Passover]] and received God’s protection. However, Judah ultimately failed to remain faithful to God’s law and fell into [[Idol|idolatry]], leading to periodic invasions and suffering. In response, God sent prophets to admonish the people and call them back to righteousness, but Judah rejected [[Covenant of God|God’s covenant]], resulting in its conquest by Babylon. Jerusalem was destroyed, and many inhabitants were taken into captivity, living in exile for 70 years as foretold by the prophet Jeremiah.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah+44%3A22-23&version=NIV |title=Jeremiah 44:22–23 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> During this period, those who heeded the messages of true prophets, such as Jeremiah and Ezekiel, were spared, with some even experiencing physical success. Eventually, these individuals returned to rebuild the temple and the city, working with joy and enthusiasm. In contrast, those who followed the false prophecies of figures like Hananiah and failed to act were doomed to destruction.

*[[Book of Nehemiah]]