15The Lord, the God of their ancestors, sent word to them through his messengers again and again, because he had pity on his people and on his dwelling place. 16But they mocked God’s messengers, despised his words and scoffed at his prophets until the wrath of the Lord was aroused against his people and there was no remedy. 17He brought up against them the king of the Babylonians,g who killed their young men with the sword in the sanctuary, and did not spare young men or young women, the elderly or the infirm. God gave them all into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar.18He carried to Babylon all the articles from the temple of God, both large and small, and the treasures of the Lord’s temple and the treasures of the king and his officials. 19They set fire to God’s temple and broke down the wall of Jerusalem; they burned all the palaces and destroyed everything of value there.
20He carried into exile to Babylon the remnant, who escaped from the sword, and they became servants to him and his successors until the kingdom of Persia came to power. 21The land enjoyed its sabbath rests; all the time of its desolation it rested, until the seventy years were completed in fulfillment of the word of the Lord spoken by Jeremiah. (2 Chronicles 36)
Thoughts: This passage gives as the reason for the exile that the people of God did not listen. "The mocked God;s messengers and scoffed at his prophets." Other passages speak of idolatry and the breaking of the Sabbaths Why are these commandments important? Why does God not allow the worship of idols? The answer is that He is a jealous God. But God cares that we not give time and worship due him to a piece of dirt- a part of creation. The Sabbath idea is that the God who gives us time wants us to give some focus and time to Him. To worship another God or to ignore the true God by not giving Him time, is a true sin. God is not just concerned that we be nice people. He wants us to be His people.
Prayer: Lord, help me to see you as the most important One.
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