And So It Happened-Just As God Said

By Mary Vee
Daniel I, II Kings 24, II Chronicles 36

From Jeremiah's Journal

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My name is Jeremiah. I have been a prophet, chosen by God to bring His message to the people. I have spoke for Him for twenty-three years. I have warned the Israelites of the punishment coming. And, although there have been some changes, mostly by King Josiah, it wasn't enough. 

God sent many prophets to warn them, and had they fully changed their ways He would not have sent this punishment. But they would not listen.

The people continued to worship their idols and not change from their evil ways. Pharaoh Neco went out to fight Nebuchadnezzar from Bablylon. He was foolish. Babylon had a stronger army. 

Now Egypt lays in ruins. While Babylon plowed through our land to conquer Egypt, they of course conquered us, too. This was all in God's plans to punish Israel for not obeying His commands.

Babylon took Jehoiakim, King Josiah's son and put him in bronze shackles. He must have begged for their mercy and promised to do what they said because he was brought back to Judah and put back on the throne.

Babylon's army also went into the temple and stole precious items of great worth and put them in the temple of their idol. Jehoiakim couldn't ask Egypt to help because they had been utterly destroyed.

I have tried to work with King Jehoiakim but he is too busy doing what he is told by Babylon. The man simply will not honor the God of heaven. And so God said, 

"Because you have not listened to my words, I will call all the people of the north led by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon and they will attack this land. For seventy years you will serve Babylon."

I stood by and watched Babylon take some of the Israelites from the royal family and nobility. Young men without any physical defect, handsome, very intelligent in every kind of learning, and quick to understand. These boys were to serve in the palace of the king of Babylon.

And so it happened--just as God said. This is a sad day for Israel.

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1. What message would the people not listen to and obey?
2. Who gave the message?
3. What happened to Egypt?
4. What country couldn't help Israel?
5. What happened to King Jehoiakim (King Josiah's son)?
6. What did the Babylon army take?
7. Describe the first group of people to be taken as slaves to Babylon.