Then all the people small and great, together with the commanders of the army, arose and fled to Egypt for fear of the Chaldeans. Then all the people small and greatThis phrase indicates the inclusivity of the group, encompassing every social class and status within the society of Judah. The mention of "small and great" reflects the widespread impact of the Babylonian conquest, affecting everyone from the common people to the elite. This mirrors the earlier biblical theme of God's judgment affecting all levels of society, as seen in passages like Jeremiah 6:13, where both "small and great" are mentioned in the context of corruption and impending judgment. together with the commanders of the army
The inclusion of military leaders highlights the complete collapse of Judah's defense and leadership structure. The commanders, who were responsible for the protection and strategic decisions of the nation, are now fleeing, indicating a total defeat and loss of hope. This aligns with the prophecies of Jeremiah, who warned that Judah's military would be powerless against Babylon (Jeremiah 21:4-5). arose and fled to Egypt
Fleeing to Egypt signifies a reversal of the Exodus, where the Israelites originally left Egypt for the Promised Land. This retreat symbolizes a return to bondage and a lack of trust in God's deliverance. Historically, Egypt was often seen as a place of refuge, but also a place of spiritual and physical danger, as warned by prophets like Isaiah (Isaiah 30:1-3). This action reflects a failure to heed God's warnings through prophets like Jeremiah, who advised against seeking refuge in Egypt (Jeremiah 42:19-22). for fear of the Chaldeans
The Chaldeans, synonymous with the Babylonians, were the dominant power and a tool of God's judgment against Judah. The fear of the Chaldeans underscores the fulfillment of prophetic warnings about Babylon's role in God's plan (Habakkuk 1:6). This fear-driven flight contrasts with the biblical call to trust in God rather than in human alliances or solutions. The Chaldeans' role as instruments of divine judgment is a recurring theme in the prophetic literature, emphasizing God's sovereignty over nations and history. Persons / Places / Events 1. The People of JudahThis refers to the remaining inhabitants of Judah after the Babylonian conquest. They include a wide range of individuals, from the least to the greatest, indicating a collective movement. 2. Army OfficersThese are the military leaders who survived the Babylonian invasion. Their decision to flee reflects their fear and lack of faith in God's protection. 3. EgyptA neighboring nation to which the people of Judah fled. Historically, Egypt was often seen as a place of refuge, but also a place of bondage and idolatry. 4. The ChaldeansAnother name for the Babylonians, who were the dominant power at the time. Their presence instilled fear in the hearts of the people of Judah. 5. FearThe driving emotion behind the people's decision to flee. It highlights a lack of trust in God's promises and protection. Teaching Points Trust in God's SovereigntyThe decision to flee to Egypt reflects a lack of trust in God's ability to protect and provide. Believers are encouraged to trust in God's sovereignty, even in dire circumstances. The Consequences of FearFear can lead to poor decision-making and disobedience to God's commands. Christians are called to overcome fear with faith and trust in God's promises. The Danger of Seeking Worldly SolutionsTurning to Egypt symbolizes seeking worldly solutions to spiritual problems. Believers should seek God's guidance and wisdom rather than relying on worldly powers or solutions. Obedience to God's WordThe people of Judah ignored God's warning through Jeremiah. This teaches the importance of obedience to God's Word, even when it seems counterintuitive. Bible Study Questions 1. What does the decision of the people of Judah to flee to Egypt reveal about their spiritual state and trust in God? 2. How can we apply the lesson of trusting in God's sovereignty in our own lives when faced with fear and uncertainty? 3. In what ways do we, like the people of Judah, sometimes seek worldly solutions instead of relying on God's guidance? 4. How does the warning in Isaiah 30:1-3 about seeking refuge in Egypt apply to modern-day believers? 5. Reflect on a time when fear led you to make a decision contrary to God's Word. What did you learn from that experience, and how can it help you in future situations? Connections to Other Scriptures Jeremiah 42-43These chapters provide a detailed account of the people's decision to flee to Egypt despite Jeremiah's warning from God not to do so. It highlights their disobedience and lack of faith. Isaiah 30:1-3This passage warns against seeking refuge in Egypt, emphasizing that reliance on foreign powers instead of God leads to shame and disgrace. Deuteronomy 17:16This verse warns the Israelites not to return to Egypt, symbolizing a return to bondage and a lack of trust in God's deliverance. People Ahikam, Babylonians, Careah, Elishama, Evilmerodach, Gedaliah, Ishmael, Jaazaniah, Jehoiachin, Johanan, Kareah, Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuzaradan, Nethaniah, Seraiah, Shaphan, Solomon, Tanhumeth, Zedekiah, ZephaniahPlaces Arabah, Babylon, Egypt, Hamath, Jericho, Jerusalem, Mizpah, RiblahTopics Afraid, Armies, Army, Babylonians, Captains, Chaldaeans, Chaldeans, Chalde'ans, Chaldees, Egypt, Fear, Fled, Forces, Got, Greatest, Heads, Officers, Presence, RiseDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 25:26 5590 travel Library The End
'1. And it came to pass in the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, in the tenth day of the month, that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came, he, and all his host, against Jerusalem, and pitched against it; and they built forts against it round about. 2. And the city was besieged unto the eleventh year of king Zedekiah. 3. And on the ninth day of the fourth month the famine prevailed in the city, and there was no bread for the people of the land. 4. And the city was broken up, and all the …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureThe Last Agony
'In the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and all his army against Jerusalem, and they besieged it. 2. And in the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, the ninth day of the month, the city was broken up. 3. And all the princes of the king of Babylon came in, and sat in the middle gate, even Nergal-sharezer, Samgar-nebo, Sarse-chim, Rab-saris, Nergal-sharezer, Rab-mag, with all the residue of the princes of the king of Babylon. …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture 'As Sodom'
'Zedekiah was one and twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Hamutal the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah. 2. And he did that which was evil in the eyes of the Lord, according to all that Jehoiakim had done. 3. For through the anger of the Lord it came to pass in Jerusalem and Judah, till he had cast them out from his presence, that Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon. 4. And it came to pass, in the ninth year of his reign, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Country of Jericho, and the Situation of the City.
Here we will borrow Josephus' pencil, "Jericho is seated in a plain, yet a certain barren mountain hangs over it, narrow, indeed, but long; for it runs out northward to the country of Scythopolis,--and southward, to the country of Sodom, and the utmost coast of the Asphaltites." Of this mountain mention is made, Joshua 2:22, where the two spies, sent by Joshua, and received by Rahab, are said to "conceal themselves." "Opposite against this, lies a mountain on the other side Jordan, beginning from …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica How those who Use Food Intemperately and those who Use it Sparingly are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 20.) Differently to be admonished are the gluttonous and the abstinent. For superfluity of speech, levity of conduct, and lechery accompany the former; but the latter often the sin of impatience, and often that of pride. For were it not the case that immoderate loquacity carries away the gluttonous, that rich man who is said to have fared sumptuously every day would not burn more sorely than elsewhere in his tongue, saying, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great The Historical Books.
1. In the Pentateuch we have the establishment of the Theocracy, with the preparatory and accompanying history pertaining to it. The province of the historical books is to unfold its practiced working, and to show how, under the divine superintendence and guidance, it accomplished the end for which it was given. They contain, therefore, primarily, a history of God's dealings with the covenant people under the economy which he had imposed upon them. They look at the course of human events on the …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible Backsliding.
"I will heal their backsliding; I will love them freely: for Mine anger is turned away."--Hosea xiv. 4. There are two kinds of backsliders. Some have never been converted: they have gone through the form of joining a Christian community and claim to be backsliders; but they never have, if I may use the expression, "slid forward." They may talk of backsliding; but they have never really been born again. They need to be treated differently from real back-sliders--those who have been born of the incorruptible …
Dwight L. Moody—The Way to God and How to Find It 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 Formation and History of the Hebrew Canon.
1. The Greek word canon (originally a straight rod or pole, measuring-rod, then rule) denotes that collection of books which the churches receive as given by inspiration of God, and therefore as constituting for them a divine rule of faith and practice. To the books included in it the term canonical is applied. The Canon of the Old Testament, considered in reference to its constituent parts, was formed gradually; formed under divine superintendence by a process of growth extending through …
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 Links 2 Kings 25:26 NIV2 Kings 25:26 NLT2 Kings 25:26 ESV2 Kings 25:26 NASB2 Kings 25:26 KJV
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