THE BIBLE'S HISTORY LESSONS

Article written by David Jacobs 

The Bible is first and foremost a Christian text, but we can also learn much about the history of the Middle East from its' pages.  Please read 2 Chron-icles 35:14-26.

In what year was 2 Chronicles written? Who wrote it? Was it all written at the same time?  There are so many questions that Biblical Scholars have asked trying to understand perhaps better the most important book in history. Many Christians, myself included, often fail to ask some of these critical questions. The verses above (2 Chronicles) may seem unimportant, but there is a lot to learn in these verses that are rarely considered by readers.

The Bible up to this point has been a celebration of the Kingdom of Israel.  This is not to say that there have not been dark times, but the Babylonian Empire is about to conquer Israel, looting, pillaging, and destroying every-thing on the way.  The Babylonian captivity lasts for around 70 years, with the Jewish people being exiled from their homeland.  Finally, Cyrus, the great, takes power and allows the Jews to return home. The final verse of  2 Chronicles is a proclamation of Cyrus, although its' authenticity is questioned. It was commanding the restorations of the temple in Jerusalem.

The Bible is so much more than just a religious text: it is a living part of history that has altered the world and continued to change the way people think, believe, and act. Passages like this may seem insignificant, but there is much to be learned if you dig deeper. Read the Bible carefully and ask questions.  The more questions you ask, the more answers you will receive.

2 Chronicles 35:19 - In the eighteenth year of the reign of Josiah...
20 - ...when Josiah had prepared the temple, Nacho King of Egypt came up to fight against Charchemish by Euphrates: and Josiah went out against him.
verse 21 - Nacho King of Egypt sent ambassadors to Josiah, saying, What have I to do with thee, thou King of Judah? I come not against thee this day, but against the house where with I have war...
verse 22 - Nevertheless Josiah would not turn his face from him, but disguised himself, that he might fight with him, and hearkened not unto the words of Nacho from the mouth of God,...
verse 23 - And the archers shot at King Josiah; and the King said to his servants, Have me away; for I am sore wounded. 
verse 24 - His servants therefore took him out of that chariot, and put him in the second chariot that He had: and they brought him to Jerusalem, and He died, and was buried in one of the sepulchers of his fathers.  And all Judah and Jerusalem mourned for Josiah.
verse 26 - Now the rest of the acts of Josiah, and his goodness, according to that which was in the law of the Lord...are written in the book of the Kings of Israel and Judah.

Published by *STARLIGHT*


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