Why did God allow temple items to be given to the Babylonians?
Q: I was reading in the first chapter of Daniel last night and a verse stuck out to me. I don’t have my Bible with me so I am paraphrasing.In it, the Lord gives King Jerhioakim (of Judah) over to King Nebuchadnazzar (of Babylon) when Nebuchadnazzar besieged (good word isn’t it, besieged) Jerusalem. AND, the verse goes on to say that the Lord also gave over some stuff from the temple.
I know that Jerhoiakim was a despicable King but why would the Lord give over stuff from the temple to a Babylonian? For what purpose?
Your thoughts?
A: Here are some thoughts on why God allowed the temple items to be taken:
1. It was a fulfillment of prophecy — 2 Kings 24:13; 2 Kings 20:13,17.
2. The taking of the temple items was to warn the Judean people of their sin. — There were three deportations of the people of Judah. These items were taken during the first deportation (605 BC). This first deportation included Daniel. There was still time to repent and save the nation. A second deportation happened in 597 BC and included Ezekiel among the captives. The third and final one (including the destruction of the temple) happened in 586 BC.
3. (Similar to #2) Without the temple items, worship would be more difficult. This was a symbol that the worship of God in the temple would soon cease due to Judah’s sin and idolatry (Ezekiel 8). God was beginning to withdraw His blessing and His presence (Ezekiel 10:18).
4. The temple vessels were brought to Babylon so that Belshazzar would use them in an act of profanity and so that God could glorify Himself — Daniel 5.
5. The temple vessels were being preserved so that they would not be destroyed in the destruction of the temple in 586 BC and could be returned to be used in the second temple. — Ezra 1:7-11; 5:13-15; 6:5.
Return to FAQ ListCreate PDF of Article