2 Chronicles 36:20

Those who escaped the sword were carried by Nebuchadnezzar into exile in Babylon, and they became servants to him and his sons until the kingdom of Persia came to power.

Study Bible

Those who escaped the sword
This phrase refers to the survivors of the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem. The "sword" symbolizes the military might and destruction brought by the Babylonians. Historically, this event occurred in 586 BC when King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon besieged Jerusalem, leading to the fall of the city and the destruction of Solomon's Temple. The survivors were those who managed to avoid death during the siege and subsequent slaughter.

were carried by Nebuchadnezzar into exile in Babylon
The forced relocation to Babylon is known as the Babylonian Exile or Captivity. This was a common practice in ancient times to prevent rebellion by removing the conquered people from their homeland. Babylon, located in modern-day Iraq, was a significant cultural and political center. The exile fulfilled prophecies given by prophets like Jeremiah (Jeremiah 25:11-12) and Isaiah (Isaiah 39:6-7), who warned of Judah's impending judgment due to their disobedience to God.

and they became servants to him and his sons
The exiles served Nebuchadnezzar and his successors, indicating a period of subjugation and servitude. This servitude was both literal, as they worked in various capacities in Babylon, and spiritual, as they were under the rule of a foreign king. This period of servitude is a reminder of the consequences of Israel's unfaithfulness to God, as outlined in Deuteronomy 28:47-48.

until the kingdom of Persia came to power
The rise of the Persian Empire under Cyrus the Great marked the end of the Babylonian Empire. In 539 BC, Cyrus conquered Babylon, and his policies were more favorable to the exiled peoples. This change in power fulfilled the prophecy of Jeremiah 29:10, which promised that after seventy years, God would bring the exiles back to their land. Cyrus issued a decree allowing the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple, as recorded in Ezra 1:1-4. This event is a type of Christ, as Cyrus is seen as a deliverer who sets the captives free, prefiguring Jesus Christ's ultimate deliverance of humanity from sin.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Babylon
A powerful empire that conquered Judah and took its people into exile. Babylon is often seen as a symbol of worldly power and opposition to God's kingdom.

2. The Remnant
The remaining people of Judah who survived the Babylonian conquest. They were taken into exile, representing God's judgment but also His preservation of a faithful remnant.

3. The Sword
Symbolizes the judgment and destruction that came upon Judah due to their disobedience to God.

4. Servants
The status of the exiled Jews in Babylon, indicating their subjugation and loss of freedom.

5. Kingdom of Persia
The empire that eventually conquered Babylon and allowed the Jews to return to their homeland, fulfilling God's promise of restoration.

Teaching Points

God's Sovereignty in Judgment and Restoration
God's control over history is evident as He uses Babylon to judge Judah and Persia to restore them. Believers can trust in God's ultimate plan, even in times of discipline.

The Faithfulness of God to His Promises
Despite the judgment, God preserved a remnant and fulfilled His promise of restoration. This encourages believers to hold onto God's promises, knowing He is faithful.

The Consequences of Disobedience
Judah's exile serves as a warning about the serious consequences of turning away from God. It calls believers to examine their lives and remain faithful to God's commands.

Hope in Times of Exile
Even in exile, God had a plan for His people. Believers can find hope in difficult circumstances, trusting that God is working for their good and His glory.

The Role of Servanthood
The Jews' servitude in Babylon reminds believers of the call to serve God faithfully, regardless of their circumstances, and to trust in His timing for deliverance.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the exile of the remnant to Babylon demonstrate God's sovereignty over nations and history?

2. In what ways can the faithfulness of God to His promises during the Babylonian exile encourage us in our personal walk with God?

3. What lessons can we learn from the consequences faced by Judah due to their disobedience, and how can we apply these lessons to avoid similar pitfalls?

4. How can we find hope and purpose in our own "exile" experiences, trusting in God's plan for restoration and deliverance?

5. What does the servitude of the Jews in Babylon teach us about our role as servants of God, and how can we apply this understanding in our daily lives?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Jeremiah 25:11-12
This passage prophesies the Babylonian captivity and the eventual fall of Babylon, highlighting God's sovereignty over nations and His faithfulness to His promises.

Daniel 9:2
Daniel's understanding of the seventy years of desolation for Jerusalem, as prophesied by Jeremiah, shows the fulfillment of God's word and the hope of restoration.

Ezra 1:1-4
The decree of Cyrus, king of Persia, allowing the Jews to return to Jerusalem, demonstrates God's providence and the beginning of the fulfillment of His promise to restore His people.