Nebuchadnezzar Died-His Son Released a Prisoner From The Deepest Dungeon

By Mary Vee
Jeremiah 52, II Kings 25

From Barach's Chronicle

Photo Courtesy

My name is Barach, I am the scribe for the prophet Jeremiah. 

Jeremiah was taken as prisoner to Egypt along with many other Jews. I am not sure if he is still alive.

I am including this last detail to close off Jeremiah's book.

Word has come to me that Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon has died. He ruled his empire for forty-five years. During his reign he and his army invaded Jerusalem and took many prisoners, including the king, Jehoiachin.

Jehoiachin was an evil king and had taught the people of Judah to worship other gods even in the short three months he ruled. The Almighty allowed the take over of Judah as a punishment to the nation for worshipping other gods. Jehoiachin was put in a prison. The punishment, according to the Word spoken by Jeremiah and other prophets, was to be seventy years. Thirty seven years have passed so far.

The new king of Babylon is Nebuchadnezzar's son, Evil-Merodach - although I must add here that the Babylonians call him Amel-Marduk.

Apparently Evil-Merodach knew King Jehoiachin. Some Jews said that during the time Nebuchadnezzar lived in the fields with the animals, Evil-Merodach ruled the empire. When Nebuchadnezzar returned to the palace, he became upset with some of the things his son, Evil-Merodach did. Nebuchadnezzar threw his son in prison as a punishment. There, according to the Jews, he met and spent time with Jehoiachin. 

Other Jews said Evil-Merodach learned about the Jewish faith and the Almighty from Daniel who worked in the palace. 

I'm not sure exactly why Evil-Merodach had respect for Jehoiachin, but he released him from his sentence on the twenty-fifth day of the twelfth month. Our calendar was different from your calendar today. So it wasn't really December 25th at the time.

The servants helped Jehoiachin change his clothes, bathe, and groom before going to the new king of Babylon two days later. Evil-Merodach spoke kindly to Jehoiachin and gave him a seat of honor higher than those of the other kings who were with him in Babylon.

Evil-Merodach kept Jehoiachin in his circle, allowing him to eat at his table. Day by day, Evil-Merodach also gave Jehoiachin an allowance to buy what he wanted as long as he lived.

It seems God had given this gift to Jehoiachin showing that although we may have miserable days, God will always care for those who worship Him. So, maybe during Jehoiachin's time in prison, he remembered how to worship God and God alone.

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1. How long did Nebuchadnezzar reign?
2. Who took Nebuchadnezzar's place?
3. Who did the new king release from prison?
4. What else did he do for this person?

Jeremiah-The Thieves Who Robbed Temple Treasures

By Mary Vee
II Kings 24, II Chronicles 36, Daniel 1

From Jeremiah's Journal

Photo courtesy

My name is Jeremiah. I am a prophet who witnessed what Nebuchadnezzar did.

Taking King Jehoiachin, all his officers, and all the smart, young men as prisoners wasn't enough for Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon 

He also removed all the treasures from the temple of the Lord, the royal palace, and took away all the gold items Solomon, king of Israel, had made for the temple. 

He took everything, the beautiful golden lamp stand, cups, basins, the golden table, the gold covering all the walls, the jewels, all the richness given as an offering to the Lord. He loaded it in the military chariots and wagons and hauled it to the temple of god in Babylonia. 

Lost from us.

There were so many wagons full of gold, bronze, and silver hauled away with no care taken for their importance at all. These hand crafted temple items were crammed into every open space. The army's greed grew with each additional item they found. All that had once been given as an offering to God--now gone. Treated as mere metal.

The armies stayed for days removing all Nebuchadnezzar wanted.

The temple was a wreck. The beautiful place to come and worship God, in ruins.

Next he took into exile ten thousand men who were craftsmen, officers, and fighters from Jerusalem to put to work, leaving behind only the poorest people. Those that didn't have the strength to work or survive--left to find their own way in Jerusalem. 

Nebuchadnezzar made Jehoiachin's uncle, Zedekiah, the king and made Zedekiah promise to obey him or suffer a great punishment. Of course, he agreed.

Because the kings of Judah would not lead the people to worship God, we suffered ruin, just as God said. The only thing we can do is pray for forgiveness that one day the great city of Jerusalem will be returned to us.

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1. What king came to Jerusalem to conquer the city?
2. What people did he take for prisoners?
3. What did he take from the temple?
4. Where did he take the temple things?
5. Who did he leave in the city?
6. Which prophet is a witness to this story?