LESSON 20

Judah Is Taken Captive

1. How did God punish the wickedness of Judah?

God sent Nebuchadnezzar to take Judah into captivity. II Chronicles 36

2. Were many of God’s people also taken to the land of captivity?

Yes, for example, Daniel and his three friends.

3. Into what city did Nebuchadnezzar bring the captives?

Into Babylon, the capital of the Kingdom of Assyria.

4. But did God not promise Israel the land of Canaan as an everlasting possession?

He surely did, but that promise is fulfilled when the elect inherit the heavenly Canaan.

5. Did the patriarchs understand that the promise referred to heaven?

Yes, for they desired a better country, that is, an heavenly one. Hebrews 11:10, 13-16

6. What happened to the temple and to David’s throne in Jerusalem?

They were utterly destroyed when the city was burned.

7. Why did God want them to be destroyed?

God’s people must learn to look for the throne of Christ’s Kingdom in the New Jerusalem.

8. What was the effect of the captivity upon the believers?

They began to long more and more for the temple where God dwelt. Psalm 137

9. How did Daniel show his faith in God’s promises in Babylon?

He prayed with his face towards Jerusalem where the temple had stood.

10. Who encouraged the people to look forward to their return?

The prophet Ezekiel, who was among the captives at the River Chebar. Ezekiel 1