Judah Was Taken Captive
2 Chronicles 36
May 10th, 2026
Sunday Recap
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Sunday Recap •
Hey Fams!
Growing up, you likely learned that disobedience has consequences. The people of Judah learned that the consequence for their disobedience to God was exile to Babylon. Despite their sin and unfaithfulness, God had been very patient with His people and was slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
Not only had God sent the prophets to warn and encourage the people, but He also gave them good kings to help set an example. Still, the people continued to sin and worship idols. In today’s text, the people of Judah once again find themselves in the hands of evil kings.
King Jehoahaz, son of the final good king, Josiah, was dethroned by King Neco of Egypt after only three months of ruling. King Neco made his brother, Jehoiakim, king in his place. Jehoiakim, however, was captured by King Nebuchadnezzar eleven years later. Next came his son, King Jehoiachin. He also did evil in the Lord’s sight and was quickly replaced by Zedekiah.
King Zedekiah ruled over Judah for eleven years. He is described as a hard and stubborn man who refused to turn to the Lord (2 Chronicles 36:13). In the same way, the people and priests became more and more unfaithful to God.
Because of the sin of the people and their disregard for the many warnings they received, God allowed the Babylonians to destroy the nation of Judah. The Babylonians took all the treasures from the temple and palace and burned them down. This all came to pass just as God had said through the prophet Jeremiah. God's people were captured and taken to Babylon. Yet, hope remained: after 70 years, God promised to rescue and restore His people to their land.
When we disobey God, we also face consequences. For those who have not trusted in Jesus, the consequence is eternal death in hell. The good news is that Jesus bore the consequences for all who trust in Him. The Bible shares how Jesus “bore our sins in his body on the tree; so that, having died to sins, we might live for righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed” (1 Peter 2:24). Our sin has been paid for by His death and defeated by His resurrection.
Remember that we serve a God who is faithful to keep His word. Pray for the children in your care to understand the consequences of their sin, so they can experience the gift of Jesus’ forgiveness and eternal life.
** Next week: Ezekiel Gave Hope (Ezekiel 37)
Family Discipleship Plan
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Family Discipleship Plan •
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Read 2 Chronicles 36 from the Bible.
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Time and time again, the kings of Judah chose to disobey God. And even though God loved His children like a father, the people did not listen to His warnings, and they forgot about their God. God judged the people of Judah for their sin. They were attacked by the armies of Babylon and lived as exiles in a foreign land.
The northern kingdom of Israel was attacked and conquered by the Assyrians. The southern kingdom of Judah was attacked and conquered by the Babylonians. Because they had disobeyed, God’s people were exiles in other countries for centuries. But what about God’s promise to Abraham to bless all nations through his descendants? What about the promise to David that his descendants would sit on the throne forever? Had God forgotten about these promises?
Of course not! Isaiah 40:8 says, “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.” These words remind us that every promise God has spoken is true, and He will always keep His promises. When God poured out His judgment on the people for their sin, the kingdom of Judah was no more. But even then, God was working out His plan to send a greater king to save His people. God would send His own Son, Jesus—who was from the family of Abraham and David—to bring forgiveness and peace to all who trust in Him.
The people of Judah continued to sin and were destroyed by Babylon. Even though God was patient, all sin deserves judgment. God’s patience is meant to lead us to repentance. Those who repent and trust in Jesus will escape God’s judgment.
Pray: God, we know You always keep Your promises. Help us to trust in You even when we don’t see how You’re working. Thank You for sending Jesus to die on the cross and to save all who believe in Him. Amen.
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Preschool:
“The Lord is good to everyone.”
Psalm 145:9
1st-5th:
”The LORD is good to all. He shows deep concern for everything he has made.”
Psalm 145:9 (NIRV) -
Mornings
Take a moment to confess sin. It could be getting angry at a sibling, lying or disobeying your parents, or other ways you’ve failed to do what God has asked you to do. Ask God to help you turn away from those sins and walk with Him.Evenings
Thank God for His patience and grace, even when we fail. Praise Him for giving us the opportunity to return to Him. Ask God to remind you of His mercy and to help you never take it for granted. -
For Fun
Make a list of physical challenges like push-ups, sit-ups, or running in place. Compete as a family to see who can outperform others in each challenge. When a family member gets tired or fails to properly do the task, they are eliminated from the game. Play until all family members are out of the game. After a few rounds, talk about the game’s consequences for not perfectly completing the challenge. Remind kids that eventually every person failed in the challenge and was eliminated. Discuss how we have all sinned and fallen short of perfection that God requires. Talk about the fact that God must punish sin as an act of his fairness and justice. Be sure to emphasize how God punished sin by sending Jesus to the cross so that we could receive forgiveness and have new life through Him!To Serve
Contact a prison chaplain or a ministry that serves incarcerated individuals in your state. Ask for a list of items that can be donated to bless inmates. Work as a family to purchase or collect the items. Make cards to remind the inmates that God has not forgotten them and His grace is always available in Jesus.