SS Ch.7 Lesson1

The Babylonian CaptivityThe Babylonians conquered Judah and sent the King and 10,000 Judeans to Babylon
The Babylonians chose a new king, from Jerusalem, to rule
The king and other citizens rebelled against the Babylonians

The Babylonians conquered them again the second time and out of anger, they destroyed Jerusalem
The Babylonians sent every citizen of Judah to live in Babylon
The Babylonian Captivity, also known as the Babylonian Exile

Jeremiah told the exile they were being punished for not worshipping God
Jeremiah gave hope by saying that they will be rewarded if they change their ways.
“When you call Me, and come pray to Me, I will give you heed[pay attention] to you… and I will restore your fortunes… and I will bring you back from the place from which I have exiled you.”

Judaism Changes
Life under Babylonians differed from the rule of the Assyrians
Jeremiah promised that they would return to Judah if they kept worshipping God. He said that God could be worshipped anywhere and not just in the Temple

The Jewish DiasporaAs the Jews in exile began to feel at home in Babylon, a prophet reminded that God would give them the land of Canaan.

Cyrus, from the Persian Empire, conquered Babylon.
Cyrus allowed the Jews to reclaim Canaan and build a temple there as long as they followed his rule

After the Babylonian exile, not all Jews returned to Canaan and this began a Jewish Diaspora
Scattering of Jews outside their homeland

Ezra and the TorahA scribe named Ezra restore Judaism in Jerusalem.
He led Jews back to Jerusalem from Babylon
Ezra read about Jewish laws from the Torah for 7 days straight.
Many renewed their faith

SummaryIn 586 B.C., the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple. They sent many Jews into exile in Babylon. The Jewish people kept their faith by changing the practices of Judaism. When the Persian Empire conquered Babylon, King Cyrus allowed Jews to return to Canaan and to rebuild the temple. Many Jews, however, remained outside Canaan, forming the Jewish Diaspora.