The Captivity and Resoration of Judah

Babylon was the mirror opposite of the United States. They both had absolute military power over other nations. The Babylonian empire could have chosen to do anything it wanted and it chose to plunder and control other nations for its own enrichment.

The last four kings were like preachers' kids, who were raised in a good home but chose to turn their backs on God. Between their father Josiah and the prophet Jeremiah, they should have known better. When rebellious young people in their twenties run the country, it's not good.

Habakkuk was a minor prophet of major importance. Unger says that Habakkuk "is couched in sublime poetry, reflecting the classical era of Hebrew prophecy". Not only does he warn his nation about impending invasion from the Babylonians, but he also does some fundamental teaching about how God deals with nations.

Daniel shows us the immense influence that the Jews had on the nations around them during their captivity. God used his people to get to the most powerful men on the planet, such as Nebuchadnezzar, Cyrus the Great, and perhaps King Nabonidus.

Ezekiel's ministry overlapped the prophecies of Jeremiah and Daniel, during the last seven years of Jerusalem's existence, before it was razed by Nebuchadnezzar. As a priest, Ezekiel's focus and concern were on the temple, God's holiness, and God's reputation.

Cyrus the Great, the first ruler of the Persian empire, reversed previous decisions by sending the Jews back to their homeland. How do we understand this change of attitude in terms of a sovereign God?

Greek philosophers as well as philosophical religions, such as Buddhism and Confucianism, began around the 6th century BC, when the Old Testament was coming to a close. Before that, philosophy was unknown and the world believed that truth had to be revealed from beyond. This was such a dramatic shift in thinking that we need to understand it in order to understand the ancient world.

Haggai addressed his prophecy to Zerubbabel, who was in David's lineage to be a king of Judah. He was the key man to lead the people to rebuild the temple, which they were not doing at the time. Little did he know that his life's purpose extended far beyond his own lifetime.

Zechariah is the most messianic of all the prophets. Israel is back home and looking forward to its coming Messiah.

The Greeks called the people around Judah Palestinians as far back as the days of Judah. The people around the Jews have always opposed them and tried to overthrow them.

In the midst of the Greek revolt, Xerxes' queen decides to stage her own household rebellion. That's when Esther steps in.

Jerusalem's rivals didn't think it needed a wall, but we all need boundaries.

Malachi makes final adjustments before Israel prepares for Hellenism and their Messiah.