a. Recount the events that took place in Judah after the death of King Josiah to the first deportation of the Jews.
b. State four causes of civil unrest in a nation.
a. After the death of King Josiah, the events in Judah took a tumultuous turn. Josiah was succeeded by his son, Jehoahaz (also known as Shallum), who reigned for only three months before being deposed by Pharaoh Neco II of Egypt. This incident is recorded in 2 Kings 23:30-34 and 2 Chronicles 36:1-4.
Neco installed Jehoahaz's brother, Jehoiakim (also known as Eliakim), as the new king of Judah. Jehoiakim's reign was marked by political instability and his submission to foreign powers. Jehoiakim did evil in the sight of the Lord, and eventually, Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, came against Jerusalem and took him captive.
Jehoiachin (also known as Jeconiah or Coniah), the son of Jehoiakim, succeeded his father as king. However, his reign was short-lived, lasting only three months and ten days. Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem and took Jehoiachin, along with the treasures of the temple, into captivity in Babylon.
Zedekiah, another son of Josiah, was appointed by Nebuchadnezzar as the last king of Judah. Despite being warned by the prophet Jeremiah to submit to Babylon, Zedekiah rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar, leading to a prolonged siege of Jerusalem. The city fell and Zedekiah was captured. Nebuchadnezzar executed Zedekiah's sons before his eyes, and then he blinded Zedekiah and took him to Babylon in chains.
These events ultimately led to the destruction of the First Temple in Jerusalem and the exile of a significant portion of the Jewish population to Babylon. The Babylonian captivity lasted for seventy years, in fulfilment of the prophecy of Jeremiah. This period is a pivotal and sorrowful chapter in the history of the Israelites, as it marked the end of the Kingdom of Judah and the beginning of the Babylonian exile.
b. Civil unrest in a nation can arise from:
1. Widespread corruption, nepotism, and lack of transparency in governance can lead to public dissatisfaction and unrest.
2. Repressive regimes, denial of political freedoms, and human rights abuses can spark protests and opposition.
3. Disparities in wealth distribution and economic opportunities can create resentment and social tension.
4. Deep-seated ethnic or religious divisions can lead to conflicts and civil unrest.
5. Discrimination based on race, gender, religion, or other factors can contribute to social unrest.
6. Clashes over cultural or national identity can contribute to social discord.
7. Competition for limited resources, such as water or arable land, can lead to conflicts.
8. Lingering historical injustices or conflicts can resurface and contribute to civil unrest.
9. International tensions or interference can have repercussions at the national level.
10. Overreliance on foreign aid or economic dependence on specific nations may contribute to instability.
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