Redemption in 2 Chronicles

2 Chronicles chapter 36 shows the end of God's patience with the nation of Judah. Despite God's mercy and pleading, Judah mocked and despised Him and His instruction. Therefore, God brought judgment in the form of the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar and his army. “So He [God] brought up against them the king of the Chaldeans, who killed their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary, and had no compassion on young man or virgin, old man or frail; He [God] handed them all over to him” (2 Chron. 36:17). The Babylonians looted and burned the temple and carried those who escaped into slavery (vv. 19-20).

It is a devastating account. However there is hope at the end of 2 Chronicles chapter 36. About fifty years have passed when the writer states, “Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia—in order to fulfill the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah—the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia so that he sent a proclamation throughout his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying, This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: ‘The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and He has appointed me to build Him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Whoever there is among you of all His people, may the Lord his God be with him; go up then!’” (vv. 22-23).

Ben