Lesson 21

The exile was the greatest crisis for the people of God during the Old Testament period. In the years before the exile multiple reformations and periods of spiritual renewal occurred in Judah followed by spiritual collapse and backsliding. Prophet after prophet came to the people warning them of the destruction to come, but consistent repentance in Judah was absent. As God withdrew His hand of protection from His people, the mighty empires of the ancient Near East trimmed down the land and people of Judah until complete destruction came in 586 BC. The exile seemed to be the end of the kingdom of God and the failure of God’s covenant with the patriarchs. In this lecture, Dr. Sproul discusses the events leading to the fall of Jerusalem and the beginning of the exile.