2 Chronicles 28:11 Study Bible: Now hear me therefore, and send back the captives, that you have taken captive from your brothers; for the fierce wrath of the LORD is on you."

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◄ 2 Chronicles 28:11 ►

Now therefore, listen to me and return the captives you took from your kinsmen, for the fierce anger of the LORD is upon you."

Study Bible

Now therefore, listen to me
This phrase is a call to attention and obedience, often used by prophets or leaders in the Bible to emphasize the importance of the message that follows. In the context of 2 Chronicles 28, the speaker is Oded, a prophet, who is addressing the leaders of Israel. The use of "listen" underscores the urgency and divine authority behind the message. This echoes other biblical instances where prophets call for repentance and action, such as in Isaiah 1:10 and Jeremiah 7:2.

and return the captives you took from your kinsmen
The captives referred to are from Judah, taken by the Israelites during the reign of King Ahaz. This highlights the internal strife and division within the nation of Israel, as both Judah and Israel are descendants of Jacob, making them "kinsmen." The call to return the captives is a plea for mercy and justice, aligning with the Mosaic Law, which emphasizes the humane treatment of fellow Israelites (Leviticus 25:39-46). This act of returning captives is also a precursor to the New Testament teachings on forgiveness and reconciliation, as seen in Matthew 5:23-24.

for the fierce anger of the LORD is upon you.
This phrase indicates divine displeasure and impending judgment due to the actions of the Israelites. The "fierce anger of the LORD" is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, often resulting from idolatry, injustice, or disobedience to God's commands. In this context, it serves as a warning that their actions have provoked God's wrath, similar to the warnings given to other nations and leaders throughout the scriptures, such as in Deuteronomy 9:8 and 2 Kings 17:18. The concept of God's anger is balanced by His mercy, as the call to return the captives offers a chance for repentance and restoration.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Ahaz
King of Judah who led the nation into idolatry and suffered military defeat as a result.

2. Judah
The southern kingdom of Israel, which was under the rule of King Ahaz during this time.

3. Israel
The northern kingdom, which attacked Judah and took captives.

4. Prophet Oded
A prophet who confronted the Israelites about their actions and urged them to return the captives.

5. Samaria
The capital of the northern kingdom of Israel, where the captives were taken.

Teaching Points

The Consequences of Disobedience
Disobedience to God leads to His anger and judgment, as seen in the defeat of Judah.

The Role of Prophets
Prophets are God's messengers who call His people back to righteousness and justice.

The Importance of Mercy
Showing mercy to others is a reflection of God's character and is required of His people.

Brotherhood and Unity
The Israelites and Judahites were brothers, and their conflict highlights the need for unity among God's people.

Repentance and Restoration
True repentance involves not only feeling remorse but also taking action to correct wrongs.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the account of Ahaz and the defeat of Judah illustrate the consequences of turning away from God?

2. In what ways does the role of the prophet Oded in this passage reflect the broader role of prophets in the Bible?

3. How can we apply the principle of mercy in our daily interactions with others, especially those who have wronged us?

4. What lessons can we learn from the conflict between Israel and Judah about maintaining unity within the body of Christ?

5. How does the call to return the captives relate to the New Testament teachings on repentance and reconciliation?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Deuteronomy 28
This chapter outlines the blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience, which contextualizes the consequences faced by Judah under Ahaz.

Isaiah 1
Isaiah's call for repentance and justice echoes the call for Israel to return the captives and act righteously.

Matthew 5:7
Jesus' teaching on mercy connects to the Israelites' need to show mercy by releasing the captives.

James 2:13
The principle that mercy triumphs over judgment is relevant to the situation where Israel is urged to act mercifully.

Sermons

This is that King Ahaz	T. Whitelaw	2 Chronicles 28:1-27
The Sending Back of the Captives - an Incident of the Israelitish War	T. Whitelaw	2 Chronicles 28:8-15
Divine and Human Pity	W. Clarkson	2 Chronicles 28:9-15

People

Ahaz, Amasa, Aram, Azariah, Azrikam, Ben, Berechiah, David, Edomites, Elkanah, Hadlai, Hezekiah, Israelites, Jehizkiah, Jehohanan, Johanan, Maaseiah, Meshillemoth, Oded, Pekah, Remaliah, Shallum, Tilgathpilneser, Timnah, Zichri

Places

Aijalon, Assyria, Beth-shemesh, Damascus, Gederoth, Gimzo, Jericho, Jerusalem, Negeb, Samaria, Shephelah, Soco, Syria, Timnah, Valley of Hinnom

Topics

Anger, Brethren, Brothers, Burning, Captive, Captives, Captured, Countrymen, Deliver, Ear, Fellow, Fierce, Heat, Kinsfolk, Listen, Lord's, Prisoners, Rests, Return, Wrath

Dictionary of Bible Themes

2 Chronicles 28:1-27

5366 king

2 Chronicles 28:9-11

7773 prophets, role

2 Chronicles 28:9-15

5246 captivity

Library

Costly and Fatal Help
'He sacrificed unto the gods of Damascus, which smote him: and he said, Because the gods of the kings of Syria help them, therefore will I sacrifice to them, that they may help me. But they were the ruin of him, and of all Israel.'--2 CHRON. xxviii. 23. Ahaz came to the throne when a youth of twenty. From the beginning he reversed the policy of his father, and threw himself into the arms of the heathen party. In a comparatively short reign of sixteen years he stamped out the worship of God, and …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

That the Employing Of, and Associating with the Malignant Party, According as is Contained in the Public Resolutions, is Sinful and Unlawful.
That The Employing Of, And Associating With The Malignant Party, According As Is Contained In The Public Resolutions, Is Sinful And Unlawful. If there be in the land a malignant party of power and policy, and the exceptions contained in the Act of Levy do comprehend but few of that party, then there need be no more difficulty to prove, that the present public resolutions and proceedings do import an association and conjunction with a malignant party, than to gather a conclusion from clear premises. …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

The Prophet Micah.
PRELIMINARY REMARKS. Micah signifies: "Who is like Jehovah;" and by this name, the prophet is consecrated to the incomparable God, just as Hosea was to the helping God, and Nahum to the comforting God. He prophesied, according to the inscription, under Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. We are not, however, entitled, on this account, to dissever his prophecies, and to assign particular discourses to the reign of each of these kings. On the contrary, the entire collection forms only one whole. At …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Degrees of Sin
Are all transgressions of the law equally heinous? Some sins in themselves, and by reason of several aggravations, are more heinous in the sight of God than others. He that delivered me unto thee, has the greater sin.' John 19: 11. The Stoic philosophers held that all sins were equal; but this Scripture clearly holds forth that there is a gradual difference in sin; some are greater than others; some are mighty sins,' and crying sins.' Amos 5: 12; Gen 18: 21. Every sin has a voice to speak, but some …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Chronicles
The comparative indifference with which Chronicles is regarded in modern times by all but professional scholars seems to have been shared by the ancient Jewish church. Though written by the same hand as wrote Ezra-Nehemiah, and forming, together with these books, a continuous history of Judah, it is placed after them in the Hebrew Bible, of which it forms the concluding book; and this no doubt points to the fact that it attained canonical distinction later than they. Nor is this unnatural. The book …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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