Exile, Return, Prophets
Israel splits into two kingdoms—the Northern Kingdom, Israel, and the Southern Kingdom, Judah. After the kingdoms are conquered by Assyria and Babylon, God’s people are forced into exile. Later, when Cyrus of Persia reigns, Israel is allowed to return to Jerusalem. Throughout this period, we see many of the prophets of the Old Testament show up as God’s messengers, bringing news of judgment, a call to repentance, and messages of hope and a coming Messiah.
- What part of the Bible are we covering?
- 1 & 2 Chronicles - Malachi
- Scripture to read this week:
- Jeremiah 1, Ezra 1, Malachi 4
Exile and Return
Why were God’s people in exile? For generations, they had been disobedient and disloyal to God. Part of God’s Redemptive Plan is giving people consequences for sinning and turning their backs on him—for the purpose of ultimately drawing them back to himself.
The Northern Kingdom (Israel) was conquered by Assyria and exiled. A little over 100 years later, Babylon conquered Assyria, and then three years later, they also conquered the Southern Kingdom (Judah), bringing them into exile as well. Throughout this time, God warned his people.
Read Daniel 1. Imagine how Daniel felt as an Israelite exiled in a foreign land where they worshiped foreign gods. Daniel was only a teenager when this happened. How would you feel if you were in Daniel’s shoes? How did God honor Daniel’s faithfulness?
When Persia overtakes all of Babylon and King Cyrus allows the Jews to return to their homeland, God’s people return and begin rebuilding Jerusalem. Ultimately, it was the sovereign God directing King Cyrus and allowing this to happen (Ezra 1).
Prophets
Read Jeremiah 1:4–10. According to this passage, who chose prophets? What was the role of a prophet?
The prophets proclaimed three types of messages:
- Warning of coming judgment for sin
- Call to repentance
- Offer of hope
Read Malachi 4:1-2 below. Underline where you see a message of judgment. [Put brackets around] where you see a message of hope.
The Lord of Heaven’s Armies says, “The day of judgment is coming, burning like a furnace. On that day the arrogant and the wicked will be burned up like straw. They will be consumed— roots, branches, and all. “But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture.
400 Years of Silence
Between the book of Malachi and the start of the New Testament (Matthew), there were 400 years of “silence.” There was no recorded Scripture, but God was still working.
Big Picture:
- God’s people are in exile because of their disobedience. According to the Mosaic covenant, when the people of Israel disobey, there are consequences.
- God chooses the prophets to give his message to his people.
- During the time of exile, the prophets warn the people, calling them to repentance and offering them hope in a dark time.
Questions
- Why would it have been difficult for the Israelites to be loyal and obedient to God while in exile? Read 1 Peter 2:11. Why does Peter describe Christians as foreigners and exiles in this world?
- How do you, like the Israelites, forget God’s faithfulness and fail to trust him? Who or what do you turn toward instead of God?
- Some of the ancient prophets proclaimed messages about a coming Messiah. Read Isaiah 53. How does Isaiah describe the coming Messiah?
- How do you see God’s sovereignty and faithfulness on display throughout the exile and return?