Lamentation, week 2

Impact of the Exile

Tears shed by Judah in Babylon produced fruit

Brought many benefits

Shaped the nation for the time of Christ

A Remnant, part 1

Many lost their way. They forgot God’s purpose in Babylon.

A remnant never forgot. They believe the Messiah would come if they returned to the promised land.

A Remnant, part 2

Thus the exile served to cleanse and purify the nation.

This was evident when they refused later pressure to adopt the Hellenic culture.

They never again chased after foreign gods.

The Written Law

Prior to exile the emphasis was festivals, sacrifice — but refusal to hear or study God’s Word.

Now, with no temple (festivals & sacrifices), it was all on intend and devout study of God’s Word.

Ezra 7:10 ESV

For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel.

Now God’s Word was studied intently and devoutly.

Unfortunately an oral law was also concocted (claiming to have been given to Moses on the Mountain).

So, by the time of Christ, it clouded clear information as to His coming.

Today, what does the most damage in your opinion?

Paraphrase bibles

Commentaries

Archaic language (KJV)

False religions

The Synagogue System

Probably started during Babylonian captivity

With no Temple in Jerusalem, it grew

It was the center of town life

The rabbi read sacred Books

Legal-political problems were worked out using the Law

Male children were taught so that they could take over civil roles as adults

Responsiveness to God’s law brings generational & national blessings

Physical ties to Abraham did not equate automatic blessings

Deuteronomy 28:65 ESV

And among these nations you shall find no respite, and there shall be no resting place for the sole of your foot, but the Lord will give you there a trembling heart and failing eyes and a languishing soul.

Deut.2

What was each gene

Application

Application

A return to God started by tears in a foreign land.

Today, where is God’s temple?

How can we end up in a “foreign” land?

The remnant were culled.

Not everybody makes it back from the “foreign” land.

Is it possible to sentence yourself to eternal damnation or life?

Matthew 10:35–38 ESV

35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36 And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household. 37 Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.

Returning to the written law had a permanent and significant impact

What are the signs of us returning to the passionate study of God’s Word?

Are we doing better or worse than 10 years ago?

How important is the Holy Spirit, love, prayer, and application when studying God’s Word?

Forei

The Synagogue system started from exile and lasted

Is the church still central to our lives?

Do we still go to the Elders instead of to the court to settle disputes?

Is it our support system?

Extra time? Discuss Foreign gods

Why is Satan’s #1 strategy foreign women?

Why is this such a powerful tool?

How can we counter this?

Keeping the next generation faithful

1. Genuine faith is more caught than taught.

2. Take their questions seriously.

3. Deal with tough stuff head on.

4. Make home the primary place your kids learn about God.

Deuteronomy 4:9 ESV

9 “Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children’s children—

Deuteronomy 11:9 ESV

9 and that you may live long in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers to give to them and to their offspring, a land flowing with milk and honey.

5. Make church a priority.

Deuteronomy 6:9 ESV

9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Deut.

6. Pray for your child and your child's faith.

7. Know your child's culture and your child's friends.

8. Share your own faith story.

9. Teach your kids to respect you now, so they'll know how to respect God later.

10. Above all, love.