Baal was the chief god of the Canaanite religion. Baal was worshipped in many centers in Canaanite practice. Baal was the god of fertility. Worship of Baal included animal sacrifice and sacred prostitution (both male and females) in the high places (their temples). Jezebel, the wife of King Ahab in the northern kingdom, introduced Baal worship to the people in the northern kingdom. This eventually spread to Judah the southern kingdom. Israel (the north) clearly was not obeying God, but Judah (south) maintained the appearance of right faith without a true heart.

Believing the right doctrine without heartfelt commitment is like offering sacrifices without true repentance. Judah’s false repentance brought Jeremiah’s words of condemnation. To live without faith is hopeless; to express sorrow without change is unfaithful and treacherous. Being sorry for sin is not enough. Repentance demands a change of mind and heart that results in changed behavior

JOSIAH his son succeeded KING AMON. JOSIAH was 8 years old when he reigned in Jerusalem. He ruled for 31 years. JOSIAH did right in the eyes of the Lord. In his early years he diligently seeked the Lord. At the age of 12 he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of the paganism, carved idols and cast images. He tore down the alters of Baal. JOSIAH brought back true worship in following the laws and purification and animal sacrifices which Moses had originally instructed them to do. JOSIAH was devoted to God. The people however secretly practiced their paganism.

JEHOAHAZ his son succeeded him. He was 23 when his father JOSIAH died. JEHOAHAZ reigned only 3 months. He was dethroned by the Egyptian king who carried him off to Egypt and put his brother ELIAKIM whose name he changed to JEHOIAKIM to rule Judah. High taxes were now levied on the people of Judah by the Egyptians. 

JEHOIAKIM reigned in Jerusalem 11 years. Although Judah had a few good kings and made some episodic reforms, the people never really changed. King JEHOIAKIM did evil in the eyes of the Lord. By this time King Nebuchadnezza of Babylon had become increasingly powerful, he had conquered Assyria, Egypt and then Judah. He removed JEHOIAKIM from the throne in Judah, taking articles of value from the temple. He replaced JEHOIAKIM with his uncle ZEDEKIAH to rule over Judah.

ZEDEKIAH continued to lead the people away from God. He did evil in the sight of the Lord. Jeremiah the prophet warned King ZEDEKIAH and the people about God’s coming judgment, but the people scoffed and mocked him. FINALLY BABYLON TOTALLY BESIEGED JUDAH AND TOOK THE PEOPLE INTO EXILE, killing many and PLUNDERING ALL THEIR GOODS.

2^nd chronicles 36 V 15 “ He carried into exile to Babylon, the remnant, who escaped from the sword, and they became servants of him (King Neb) and his sons until the Persian empire came to power. THIS LASTED 70 YEARS.

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