Concern for one’s nation I
Christian Religious Studies SS2 Third Term
Week 1
Topic: Concern for one’s nation I
Performance objectives
Pupils should be able to:
- Describe the events that led to the collapse of the Jewish nation
- Describe the condition of the people that were left in Jerusalem at the deportation
- Enumerate the opposition faced by the nationalist
Content
A. The captivity and destruction of Jerusalem (2kings 24:1-17)
On the seventh day, the chief of Nebuchadnezzar's army, Nebuzaradan, began the destruction of Jerusalem. The walls of the city were torn down, and the royal palace and other structures in the city were set on fire. On the ninth day of the same month, towards the evening, the Holy Temple Beth Hamikdosh was set on fire and was destroyed. Everything of gold and silver that still remained was carried off as loot by Babylonian soldiers. All the beautiful works of art with which King Solomon had once decorated and ornamented the holy edifice were destroyed or taken away. The holy vessels of the Temple that could be found were brought to Babylon. The high priest Seraiah and many other high officials and priests were executed. Many thousands of the people that had escaped the sword were taken prisoner and led into captivity in Babylon, where some of their best had already preceded them. Only the poorest of the residents of Jerusalem were permitted to stay on to plant the vineyards and work in the fields. Over these Nebuchadnezzar set a governor, Gedaliah, the son of Ahikam, a great friend of Jeremiah.
Upon Nebuchadnezzar's orders, Jeremiah was released from prison and saved from the cruel fate that befell the other leaders of the people. Nebuchadnezzar took off Jeremiah's chains and allowed him to choose between remaining in his native land and going to Babylon, not as a captive but as an honored guest. Jeremiah preferred to stay and end his days on the holy soil of Judah.
B. Report on the condition of the nation (Neh.1:3)
Following the conquest of Israel by Babylon, Israel did not exist again as a nation. Most of the people were taken as captives to Babylon, though, they were not enslaved but settled in a particular area. They were allowed to acquire and own property while in Babylon. Most of them eventually attained positions of importance in the government of the land. Later, Persia defeated Babylon and became a world power. Babylon and all its empire were now under Persia. It was during the first year of Cyrus, King of Persia that God stirred his spirit and he issued a decree for all the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the house of God (Ezra 1:1 – 4). He equally called on people to assist them financially. King Cyrus returned five thousand, four hundred and sixty-nine vessels of gold and silver which King Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the house of God in Jerusalem. All these were handed over to Sheshbazzer, the prince of Judah to be returned to Jerusalem.
C. The concern of the Nehemiah, Ezra and Zerubbabel for their response to the nation despite opposition (Neh. 1:1-11, Ezra 1:5-11)
Following this decree, various Jewish patriots rose up to the occasion and played various roles which finally saw the establishment of Israel as a nation. Remarkable among them were Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah. Zerubbabel led 50,000 Jews to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple of God. Some Samaritan-Jews offered to help in the work but their offer was turned down. Most of them, therefore, mounted stiff opposition and made several attempts to frustrate the people’s effort in building the temple. Notable among these people were Bishlam, Mithreadath, and Tabeel. Contrary to their expectation, the more they opposed the builders, the more the builders succeeded because God was with them. They completed the building in twenty years after their arrival from exile. The walls of the city were however not rebuilt. Nehemiah was the cupbearer of King Artaxerxes, he had access to the King. He then used his position for the welfare of his people. When he received the report of the state of things in Jerusalem from Hanani his brother, he was not happy.
He, therefore, sought permission from Artaxerxes, the King, and the permission was granted. The king even promised some financial assistance. Again like the people that rebuilt the temple, Nehemiah and his group equally faced stiff opposition, particularly from Sanballat and Tobiah but, because God was with them, they were able to complete the project. Later, Ezra, a Jewish scribe vast in the laws of Moses, the ordinances and the statutes came back with about 6,000 Jews and his aim was to carry out religious reforms.
Moral Lesson
Nehemiah’s faith in God was demonstrated through prayer.