SEMESTER 4
449 – God’s Care for Judah in Captivity
BIBLE INSTITUTE OF CORRESPONDENCE
COURSE: BIBLE SURVEY IV LESSON #49
GOD’S CARE FOR JUDAH IN CAPTIVITY
Read II Chron. 36:17-23
and Dan. 1:1-2:49.
INTRODUCTION:
1. The previous lesson apparently left Judah captured, enslaved and destitute in a foreign land.
2. Let us remember though, God had made promises to Noah and Abraham that must be fulfilled only through Isaac, Jacob, Judah, David, etc.
3. If the house of David perish, God’s gifts and callings, which are without repentance, cannot be fulfilled.
4. In light of this truth, let us notice three things about Judah while they were in captivity.
I. THE LINEAGE PROTECTED
1. The King’s seed, (the house of David) must not and will not be lost in obscurity.
2. They are brought to Nebuchadnezzar’s palace and protected completely. (Dan. 1:1-3)
3. God had protected the royal seed, in all ages, as in the days of Athaliah. (II Chron. 22:10–II Chron. 23:15)
4. So, during their captivity and shame they are as secure as while under the able leadership of David.
5. God has and always shall reserve unto Himself a remnant whom He shall keep from idolatry and destruction. (Compare I Kings 19:14-18 to Daniel 1: and Romans 11:2-6)
6. This protection is promised to Judah, during Babylonian captivity, by the prophet Isaiah. (Isa. 6:9-13)
II. THE UNLIMITED PROVIDENCE OF GOD
1. A most common way that God moves in providence, is to touch the hearts of men, to carry out His will.
i. Of Daniel and his three friends (Dan. 1:6-8)
ii. Of Melzar, the man over Daniel and his friends (Dan. 1:9-16)
iii. Of Nebuchadnezzar, the king (Dan. 1:17-21)
iv. Of Darius (Dan. 6:1-28)
2. God also moves supernaturally in men, animals, and the elements of the world, to understand, act, and move even beyond their conscious intentions.
i. Nebuchadnezzar’s dream (Dan. 2:1-6)
ii. Daniel’s interpretation (Dan. 2:19-24)
iii. The fire in Nebuchadnezzar’s furnace (Dan. 3:19-30)
iv. The destruction of Belshazzar who desecrated the holy vessels (Dan. 5:1-31)
v. Darius’s; lions (Dan. 6:1-28)
III. THE DIVINE PURPOSE
1. Is this providence just the common grace of God that is seen in, and is to be expected for all men?
2. No, it is a very particular protection, that is relevant to an eternal covenant.
i. First to Adam and Eve “another seed” (Gen. 4:25)
ii. Then to Noah “an everlasting covenant” (Gen. 6:18 and Gen. 9:16)
iii. With Adam, Isaac and Jacob (Gen. 17:13,19,20,26; Ex. 6:3,4)
iv. With David, still an everlasting covenant (II Sam. 23:5)
3. The New Testament establishes this covenant lineage, as leading to Christ, in the beginning of both the Gospels of Matthew and Luke.
4. It has its consummation, and the ultimate fulfillment of the promise in Christ. (Gal. 3:13-16)