◄ 2 Kings 24:2 ►
And the LORD sent Chaldean, Aramean, Moabite, and Ammonite raiders against Jehoiakim in order to destroy Judah, according to the word that the LORD had spoken through His servants the prophets.
Study Bible
And the LORD sent Chaldean, Aramean, Moabite, and Ammonite raiders against Jehoiakim
This phrase highlights the divine orchestration behind the events. The Chaldeans, also known as Babylonians, were a rising power under Nebuchadnezzar. The Arameans, Moabites, and Ammonites were neighboring nations often in conflict with Israel. This coalition of raiders signifies God's judgment on Judah for its persistent idolatry and disobedience. Historically, these groups were known for their military campaigns and raids, which were common in the ancient Near East. The involvement of these specific nations underscores the comprehensive nature of the threat against Judah.

in order to destroy Judah
The destruction of Judah was a fulfillment of divine judgment due to the nation's repeated sins, including idolatry and injustice. This phrase indicates the severity of the consequences of turning away from God. The destruction was not merely a political or military event but a spiritual reckoning. This aligns with the covenantal curses outlined in Deuteronomy 28, where disobedience would lead to national calamity.

according to the word that the LORD had spoken through His servants the prophets
This phrase emphasizes the fulfillment of prophecy, underscoring the reliability and authority of God's word. Prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Habakkuk had warned of impending judgment if the people did not repent. The prophetic tradition in Israel served as a means of divine communication, often calling the nation back to covenant faithfulness. This fulfillment of prophecy also points to the sovereignty of God over history, as His plans and purposes are accomplished despite human actions.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The LORD
The sovereign God of Israel, who orchestrates events according to His divine will and purpose.

2. Jehoiakim
The king of Judah during this time, whose reign was marked by disobedience and idolatry.

3. Chaldeans
A people from southern Babylonia, known for their military prowess and later dominance under Nebuchadnezzar.

4. Arameans, Moabites, and Ammonites
Neighboring nations historically hostile to Israel, used by God as instruments of judgment.

5. Judah
The southern kingdom of Israel, facing divine judgment due to persistent sin and rebellion against God.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty in Judgment
God is in control of all nations and uses them to fulfill His purposes, even in judgment. This should remind us of His ultimate authority over world events.

The Consequences of Disobedience
Persistent sin and rebellion against God lead to inevitable consequences. We must heed God’s warnings and live in obedience to His Word.

The Role of Prophets
God’s prophets faithfully delivered His messages, even when they were warnings of judgment. We should value and listen to God’s Word as delivered through His servants.

God’s Faithfulness to His Word
God fulfills His promises, both of blessing and judgment. This should encourage us to trust in His faithfulness and align our lives with His will.

Repentance and Restoration
While this passage focuses on judgment, it also serves as a call to repentance. God desires restoration and offers forgiveness to those who turn back to Him.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding God’s sovereignty over nations affect your view of current world events?

2. In what ways can we ensure that we are listening to and obeying God’s Word in our daily lives?

3. Reflect on a time when you experienced consequences for disobedience. How did that situation help you grow in your faith?

4. How can we, as a community of believers, support each other in staying faithful to God’s commands?

5. What steps can you take to cultivate a heart of repentance and seek God’s restoration in areas of your life where you have strayed?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Jeremiah 25:9
This verse speaks of God using Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, as His servant to bring judgment upon Judah, aligning with the events in 2 Kings 24:2.

Deuteronomy 28:49-50
These verses describe the consequences of disobedience to God’s covenant, including invasion by foreign nations, which is fulfilled in the events of 2 Kings 24:2.

2 Chronicles 36:15-16
Chronicles the repeated warnings given by God through His prophets, which Judah ignored, leading to their downfall.
Sermons
The Advent of NebuchadnezzarJ. Orr 2 Kings 24:1-9
WickednessDavid Thomas, D. D.2 Kings 24:1-16
People
Elnathan, Hamutal, Jehoiachin, Jehoiakim, Jeremiah, Manasseh, Mattaniah, Moabites, Nebuchadnezzar, Nehushta, Solomon, Syrians, Zedekiah
Places
Babylon, Brook of Egypt, Egypt, Euphrates River, Jerusalem, Libnah
Topics
Accordance, Ammon, Ammonite, Aramean, Bands, Chaldeans, Destroy, Judah, Moabite, Moabites, Proclaimed, Prophets, Raiders, Servants, Spoke, Syrians
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Kings 24:2

     1429   prophecy, OT fulfilment
     1690   word of God

2 Kings 24:1-2

     8728   enemies, of Israel and Judah

2 Kings 24:1-4

     4215   Babylon
     8278   innocence, teaching on

2 Kings 24:2-4

     5606   warfare, nature of

Library
The Iranian Conquest
Drawn by Boudier, from the engraving in Coste and Flandin. The vignette, drawn by Faucher-Gudin, from a statuette in terra-cotta, found in Southern Russia, represents a young Scythian. The Iranian religions--Cyrus in Lydia and at Babylon: Cambyses in Egypt --Darius and the organisation of the empire. The Median empire is the least known of all those which held sway for a time over the destinies of a portion of Western Asia. The reason of this is not to be ascribed to the shortness of its duration: …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 9

Extracts No. vi.
[Here twelve pages or more of the objector's manuscript are omitted, as the nature of his arguments will pretty fully appear in the reply; and as he has been obliged to rescind the ground he had taken, it is not expedient to publish his remarks. That the reader may see a little of the manner, however, in which he has given up his part of the argument, the following is inserted.] "Speaking however on the evidences of revelation, you have stated some things worthy of serious consideration; which if …
Hosea Ballou—A Series of Letters In Defence of Divine Revelation

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire from 745 to 722 B. C.
TIGLATH-PILESER III. AND THE ORGANISATION OF THE ASSYRIAN EMPIRE FROM 745 to 722 B.C. FAILURE OF URARTU AND RE-CONQUEST Of SYRIA--EGYPT AGAIN UNITED UNDER ETHIOPIAN AUSPICES--PIONKHI--THE DOWNFALL OF DAMASCUS, OF BABYLON, AND OF ISRAEL. Assyria and its neighbours at the accession of Tiglath-pileser III.: progress of the Aramaeans in the basin of the Middle Tigris--Urartu and its expansion into the north of Syria--Damascus and Israel--Vengeance of Israel on Damascus--Jeroboam II.--Civilisation …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 7

Whether Vengeance Should be Taken on those who have Sinned Involuntarily?
Objection 1: It seems that vengeance should be taken on those who have sinned involuntarily. For the will of one man does not follow from the will of another. Yet one man is punished for another, according to Ex. 20:5, "I am . . . God . . . jealous, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, unto the third and fourth generation." Thus for the sin of Cham, his son Chanaan was curse (Gn. 9:25) and for the sin of Giezi, his descendants were struck with leprosy (4 Kings 5). Again the blood …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Covenanting a Privilege of Believers.
Whatever attainment is made by any as distinguished from the wicked, or whatever gracious benefit is enjoyed, is a spiritual privilege. Adoption into the family of God is of this character. "He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power (margin, or, the right; or, privilege) to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name."[617] And every co-ordinate benefit is essentially so likewise. The evidence besides, that Covenanting …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

The Greater Prophets.
1. We have already seen (Chap. 15, Nos. 11 and 12) that from Moses to Samuel the appearances of prophets were infrequent; that with Samuel and the prophetical school established by him there began a new era, in which the prophets were recognized as a distinct order of men in the Theocracy; and that the age of written prophecy did not begin till about the reign of Uzziah, some three centuries after Samuel. The Jewish division of the latter prophets--prophets in the more restricted sense of the …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible

Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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