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KRONOS CHRONOLOGICAL SCHOOL

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​Module 8

The Period of the Captivity

 

Timeline: Year 586–538 BC  

Biblical Reference: 2 Kings 24–25

 Key Prophets: Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel 1-12

Lesson 1:
Exile, Israel to Assyria and Judah to Babylon 

​           Module 8. The Period of the Captivity } Timeline: Year 605 - 538 BC   }  Daniel 1

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           “Vision & Teaching of Fernando Jiménez”

1. 📖 Introduction & Context

The divided kingdoms ended in two devastating exiles. In 722 BC, Assyria destroyed Samaria and deported the Northern Kingdom (Israel, 10 tribes) for persistent idolatry and injustice. In 586 BC, Judah fell to Babylon—Jerusalem and the Temple were burned, and the people were carried away.                                     

These were not accidents of geopolitics; Scripture presents them as God’s righteous judgment—long warned by the prophets—meant to discipline, not annihilate. Hosea and Amos foretold Israel’s fall to Assyria; Isaiah and Jeremiah named Babylon and even the length of Judah’s captivity. Yet within judgment, God preserved a remnant and promised eventual restoration.

 

 

2. 🕰 Timeline

Biblical History
3206 AM — Fall of Samaria; Israel exiled to Assyria (722 BC) ----|---- 3319 AM — Fall of Jerusalem; Judah exiled to Babylon (586 BC)                                                                                                                             

World History

  • 745–722 BC: Assyrian expansion (Tiglath-Pileser III to Sargon II)

  • 612 BC: Fall of Nineveh (Assyria) to Babylon/Medes

  • 605–586 BC: Babylonian dominance under Nebuchadnezzar II

  • 605 BC — Captivity begins, Daniel and his companions deported

  • 597 BC — Second deportation, Temple treasures removed, Ezekiel deported

  • 586 BC — Jerusalem destroyed, Solomon’s Temple burned, King Zedekiah captured

  • 538 BC — Captivity ends; return authorized, Cyrus of Persia, Ezra 1

 

 

3. 🎯 Learning Objectives

  1. Trace the causes, course, and outcomes of Israel’s Assyrian exile and Judah’s Babylonian exile.

  2. Understand the prophetic witness (Hosea, Amos, Isaiah, Jeremiah) that interpreted these events as covenant judgment and promised future hope.

  3. Reflect on exile’s lasting impact on Israel’s identity: remnant faith, repentance, and hope of restoration.

 

 

4. 📖 Right Exegesis – Teaching to Correct

  • Exile was covenantal, not merely political: Israel and Judah fell because of idolatry, injustice, and stubborn unrepentance (2 Kgs 17; Jer 7; 25).

  • Specific, named judgments:

    • Israel → Assyria: “Assyria shall be his king” (Hos 11:5); “beyond Damascus” (Amos 5:27).

    • Judah → Babylon: Everything will be carried to Babylon; royal sons made eunuchs (Isa 39:6–7); Nebuchadnezzar named as God’s instrument (Jer 25:9).

  • Duration is meaningful: Jeremiah’s seventy years frames Babylonian captivity as discipline with an end (Jer 25:11).
    ✅ Correct teaching: God’s judgment is just and purposeful; He preserves a remnant and anchors hope in His promises of return and renewal.

 

 

5. 📜 Grammatical & Linguistic Context (Key Hebrew Words)

  1. Galut – Exile/Dispersion: forced removal under Assyria/Babylon.

  2. She’erit – Remnant: the faithful preserved through judgment.

  3. Bavel (Babel) – Babylon: place of captivity and testing.

  4. Ashur – Assyria: empire that deported the northern tribes.

  5. Shivyah – Captivity: condition/status of the deported.

 

 

6. 📖 Bible References

Exile Announced & Fulfilled

  • Israel to Assyria: 2 Kings 17:6–23; Hosea 11:5; Amos 5:27

  • Judah to Babylon: 2 Kings 25:1–21; Jeremiah 52:12–30; Isaiah 39:5–7; Jeremiah 25:8–11

Key Verses

  • 2 Kings 17:18 — The Lord’s anger removes Israel from His presence.

  • Jeremiah 25:11 — “Seventy years” of service to the king of Babylon.

  • 2 Kings 25:21 — “So Judah was taken into exile out of its land.”

Prophets Around the Exile

  • Before/at Israel’s fall: Hosea (c. 755–710 BC); Amos (c. 760–750 BC).

  • Judah’s fall/exile: Jeremiah (626–586 BC, then to Egypt); in exile: Ezekiel (597–571 BC), Daniel (605–535 BC).

 

 

7. 📝 Homework / Revision

Part A – Visuals

  • Map: Deportation routes—Samaria → Assyria; Jerusalem → Babylon.

  • Chart: Prophets & dates aligned with major invasions (Assyria 722; Babylon 605/597/586).

  • Infographic: Causes → Judgment → Exile → Remnant → Promise of restoration.

 

Part B – Quiz (5 Questions)

  1. Name two spiritual causes Scripture gives for Israel/Judah’s exile.

  2. How do Hosea 11:5 and Amos 5:27 specifically point to Assyria’s role?

  3. What did Isaiah 39:6–7 and Jeremiah 25:8–11 predict about Judah’s fate?

  4. Define remnant (she’erit) and explain its significance during exile.

  5. List one prophet linked to each: (a) pre-Assyrian judgment, (b) Judah’s fall, (c) life in Babylon—and summarize each one’s core message.

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Lesson 2:
Daniel in Babylon – Faith and Prophecy 

​           Module 8. The Period of the Captivity } Timeline: Year 605 - 538 BC   }  Daniel 1-12

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           “Vision & Teaching of Fernando Jiménez”

1. 📖 Introduction & Context

In 605 BC, Daniel and other noble youths of Judah were taken to Babylon in the first deportation under King Nebuchadnezzar. Given Babylonian names and trained in the culture of their captors, Daniel and his friends faced pressure to compromise their faith. Yet they remained steadfast: refusing the king’s food, surviving the fiery furnace, and Daniel himself being delivered from the lions’ den.      
Beyond his personal faith, Daniel received some of the most profound prophetic visions in Scripture, spanning the rise and fall of empires, the coming of the Messiah, and the establishment of God’s eternal kingdom. His life illustrates integrity in exile and his prophecies lay a foundation for biblical eschatology.

 

 

2. 🕰 Timeline

Biblical History
3319 AM — Daniel exiled to Babylon (605 BC) ----|---- 3369 AM — Daniel’s ministry ends                (c. 535 BC)                                                                                                                                                                        

World History

  • 605 BC: Nebuchadnezzar defeats Egypt at Carchemish, first deportation.

  • 594 BC: Fiery furnace incident under Nebuchadnezzar.

  • 539 BC: Babylon falls to Persia under Cyrus.

  • 538 BC: Edict of Cyrus permits Jewish return.

 

 

3. 🎯 Learning Objectives

  1. Explore Daniel’s faithfulness in Babylon and how he resisted assimilation into pagan culture.

  2. Understand the prophetic visions of Daniel concerning world empires, the Messiah, and God’s eternal kingdom.

  3. Reflect on how Daniel’s life and prophecies guide believers today in living faithfully in a hostile world.

 

 

4. 📖 Right Exegesis – Teaching to Correct

  • Faithfulness under pressure: Daniel “resolved not to defile himself” (Dan 1:8). True holiness is inward conviction, not outward convenience.

  • Prophecy as history revealed: Dreams and visions (Dan 2, 7, 9) show God’s sovereignty over nations and history, culminating in His eternal kingdom.

  • The Kingdom of God vs. kingdoms of men: Daniel 2:44 emphasizes that all human powers are temporary, but God’s reign is eternal.

  • Correct teaching: Daniel shows that exile is not abandonment—God rules over kings and empires. His promises include both present deliverance and future redemption through the Messiah.

 

 

5. 📜 Grammatical & Linguistic Context (Key Hebrew/Aramaic Words)

  1. Chazon – Vision: prophetic revelations Daniel received about history and the end times.

  2. Malkut – Kingdom: earthly empires contrasted with God’s eternal reign.

  3. Tzadik – Righteous/Just: Daniel’s defining quality—faithful obedience even in exile.

  4. Mashiach – Messiah/Anointed One: the central figure in Daniel’s prophecy of the “seventy weeks” (Dan 9:24–27).

  5. Geulah – Redemption: the promised deliverance of God’s people, pointing beyond Babylon to Christ.

 

 

6. 📖 Bible References

Daniel’s Life & Faith

  • Refusal of royal food: Daniel 1:1–16

  • Fiery furnace: Daniel 3:1–30

  • Lions’ den: Daniel 6:1–23

Daniel’s Prophecies

  • Statue of kingdoms: Daniel 2:31–45

  • Four beasts: Daniel 7:1–28

  • Seventy weeks: Daniel 9:24–27

Key Verses

  • Daniel 1:8 — Daniel resolved not to defile himself.

  • Daniel 2:44 — God’s kingdom shall never be destroyed.

  • Daniel 6:23 — Daniel delivered because he trusted in his God.

 

 

7. 📝 Homework / Revision

Part A – Visuals

  • Diagram of Nebuchadnezzar’s statue (gold, silver, bronze, iron, clay).

  • Timeline of empires: Babylon → Medo-Persia → Greece → Rome → Eternal Kingdom.

  • Illustration of the fiery furnace and lions’ den.                                                                                               

Part B – Quiz (5 Questions)

  1. How did Daniel and his friends remain faithful in Babylon despite cultural pressure?

  2. What does the vision of the statue in Daniel 2 teach about human kingdoms versus God’s kingdom?

  3. What lesson do we learn from the fiery furnace and the lions’ den about trusting God under persecution?

  4. How do the prophecies in Daniel 7 and 9 point to the Messiah and God’s redemptive plan?

  5. In what ways can Daniel’s example guide believers today in living faithfully in a secular or hostile environment?

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Lesson 3:
Ezekiel – Visions and Messages in Exile

​    Module 8. The Period of the Captivity } Timeline: Year 586 - 538 BC   }  2 Kings 24:10–17

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           “Vision & Teaching of Fernando Jiménez”

1. 📖 Introduction & Context

Ezekiel, a priest carried into exile during the second Babylonian deportation (597 BC), became one of the most visionary prophets of Israel. Living among the captives by the River Chebar, he was called through a stunning vision of God’s glory and commissioned as a watchman for the house of Israel.                

His ministry combined symbolic actions, bold proclamations, and prophetic visions that revealed both judgment and hope. Ezekiel announced the certainty of Jerusalem’s destruction but also promised restoration: a new heart, a new spirit, and the return of God’s presence to His people. His prophecy of the valley of dry bones remains one of the most powerful images of spiritual renewal in Scripture.

 

 

2. 🕰 Timeline

Biblical History
3325 AM — Ezekiel exiled to Babylon (597 BC) ----|---- 3343 AM — Ministry continues in exile          (575 BC)                                                                                                                                                                             

World History

  • 597 BC: Second deportation to Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar.

  • 586 BC: Jerusalem and the Temple destroyed.

  • 575 BC: Ezekiel’s later visions of restoration.

 

 

3. 🎯 Learning Objectives

  1. Explore Ezekiel’s key visions, including the glory of God, the watchman’s call, and the valley of dry bones.

  2. Understand Ezekiel’s prophetic role in addressing both judgment on sin and the promise of a new covenant.

  3. Reflect on the relevance of Ezekiel’s message of restoration and new life for the Church and believers today.

 

 

4. 📖 Right Exegesis – Teaching to Correct

  • The Glory of God is not confined to Jerusalem: Ezekiel saw the kavod (glory) of the Lord even in Babylon (Ezek 1), proving God’s presence is not limited by geography.

  • Personal responsibility: The watchman imagery (Ezek 3) highlights accountability—both for the prophet to warn and for the people to respond.

  • Ingesting the scroll: God’s word must be internalized before it can be proclaimed (Ezek 3:1–3).

  • Hope in restoration: The valley of dry bones (Ezek 37) symbolizes Israel’s revival, pointing to spiritual renewal in Christ.
    ✅ Correct teaching: God’s glory is sovereign and portable, judgment is real, but His covenant love promises renewal and new life.

 

 

5. 📜 Grammatical & Linguistic Context (Key Hebrew Words)

  1. Kavod – Glory: The radiant manifestation of God’s presence in Ezekiel’s visions.

  2. Berit Chadashah – New Covenant: God’s promise of a renewed heart and spirit (Ezek 36).

  3. Rephesh Yavesh – Dry Bones: Symbol of Israel’s death and promised restoration to life.

  4. Shekinah – Divine Presence: God’s dwelling that departed the temple but promised to return.

  5. Golah – Exile: The defining condition of Ezekiel’s audience, shaping his prophetic message.

 

 

6. 📖 Bible References

  • Ezekiel’s Call & Glory Vision: Ezekiel 1:1–28

  • The Watchman’s Mandate: Ezekiel 3:16–21

  • Jerusalem’s Judgment: Ezekiel 4:1–17

  • Promise of New Heart & Spirit: Ezekiel 36:24–28

  • The Valley of Dry Bones: Ezekiel 37:1–14                                                                                                        

Key Verses

  • Ezekiel 1:1 — “The heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God.”

  • Ezekiel 3:17 — “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel.”

  • Ezekiel 36:26 — “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you.”

  • Ezekiel 37:3 — “Son of man, can these bones live? … O Lord God, you know.”

 

 

7. 📝 Homework / Revision

Part A – Visuals

  • Illustration of the heavenly throne-chariot from Ezekiel 1.

  • Diagram of the watchman on the wall.

  • Image of the valley of dry bones rising to life.

 

Part B – Quiz (5 Questions)

  1. What did Ezekiel’s vision of God’s glory by the Chebar River reveal about God’s presence?

  2. How does the watchman role emphasize both responsibility and accountability in prophecy?

  3. Why was Ezekiel commanded to eat the scroll, and what did it symbolize?

  4. What does the vision of the valley of dry bones teach about God’s power to restore?

  5. How does God’s promise of a new heart and new spirit point forward to the New Covenant in Christ?

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Lesson 4: Return from Babylon
Prophecies & Temple Restoration

​            Module 8. The Period of the Captivity } Timeline: Year 538 - 516 BC  }  Ezra 6:15

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           “Vision & Teaching of Fernando Jiménez”

1. 📖 Introduction & Context

After seventy years of exile in Babylon, the people of Judah experienced one of the most important turning points in their history. In 539 BC, Babylon fell to the Persians under Cyrus the Great. The following year, Cyrus issued a decree allowing the Jewish exiles to return to their homeland and rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem.                                                                                                                              

This was no ordinary political act—it was the direct fulfillment of prophetic promises made by Jeremiah and Isaiah.  The return from exile was marked by both triumph and struggle: enthusiasm for rebuilding the Temple, opposition from local adversaries, economic hardship, and wavering faith.                                                                                                                                                                             Yet through the leadership of Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah, and with the prophetic encouragement of Haggai and Zechariah, the Second Temple was completed in 516 BC. This restoration marked a renewal of Israel’s national and spiritual life and prepared the stage for the Messianic hope.

 

 

2. 🕰 Timeline

Biblical History
3369 AM — Decree of Cyrus & first return (538 BC) ----|---- 3490 AM — Completion of the Second Temple (516 BC)                                                                                                                                                  

World History

  • 539 BC: Cyrus the Great conquers Babylon.

  • 538 BC: Edict of Cyrus allowing the Jews to return.

  • 536 BC: Temple foundation laid.

  • 520 BC: Rebuilding encouraged by Haggai and Zechariah.

  • 516 BC: Second Temple completed and dedicated.

 

 

3. 🎯 Learning Objectives

  1. Trace the historical and prophetic significance of the return from Babylon.

  2. Understand the role of leaders like Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah in guiding both national and spiritual restoration.

  3. Reflect on the meaning of temple restoration as both a physical and spiritual reality in Israel’s redemptive history.

 

 

4. 📖 Right Exegesis – Teaching to Correct

  • Prophecy Fulfilled: Jeremiah’s seventy years of exile were not symbolic; they were exact, and their fulfillment shows God’s faithfulness (Jer 29:10).

  • Temple as Center: Rebuilding the Temple was not merely architecture; it was restoring covenant worship and God’s dwelling among His people (Ezra 3).

  • Encouragement through Prophets: Haggai and Zechariah corrected misplaced priorities—calling people from focusing on their own houses to God’s house (Hag 1).

  • Restoration Is Partial, Not Final: The Second Temple pointed forward to Christ, in whom the true and greater glory of God’s presence would dwell (Hag 2:9; John 1:14).                                                          
    ✅ Correct teaching: The return was a work of God’s sovereign hand, fulfilling prophecy, restoring His people, and anticipating the greater glory revealed in Christ.

 

 

5. 📜 Grammatical & Linguistic Context (Key Hebrew Words)

  1. Shivat Tzion – Return to Zion: The repatriation of the exiles to Jerusalem.

  2. Beit HaMikdash – House of the Sanctuary/Temple: The rebuilt house of God at the center of Jewish identity.

  3. Tzur – Cyrus: Name of the Persian king who issued the decree, recognized as God’s instrument (Isa 45:1).

  4. Kavod – Glory: The promised greater glory of the second house, fulfilled ultimately in Christ.

  5. Golah – Exile: The backdrop from which Israel was restored, shaping their humility and devotion.

 

 

6. 📖 Bible References

  • Decree of Cyrus: Ezra 1:1–4

  • Rebuilding the Temple begins: Ezra 3:8–13

  • Prophecy of return: Jeremiah 29:10–14

  • Encouragement to rebuild: Haggai 2:6–9                                                                                                       

Key Verses

  • Ezra 1:2–3 — “Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem…”

  • Jeremiah 29:10 — “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you… and bring you back to this place.”

  • Haggai 2:9 — “The glory of this latter house shall be greater than the former, says the Lord of hosts. And in this place I will give peace.”

 

 

7. 📝 Homework / Revision

Part A – Visuals

  • Map of the return routes from Babylon to Jerusalem.

  • Illustration of the Second Temple under reconstruction.

  • Timeline of key leaders: Zerubbabel, Ezra, Nehemiah.

 

Part B – Quiz (5 Questions)

  1. What prophetic promises did the decree of Cyrus fulfill?

  2. How did Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah contribute differently to the restoration of Israel?

  3. Why did the rebuilding of the Temple face delays, and how was the work resumed?

  4. How does Haggai’s prophecy of “greater glory” point to Christ and the New Covenant?

  5. What lessons can modern believers learn from Israel’s return about restoration, perseverance, and worship?

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