Episode Details

Immerse Bible Reading: Day 242 - Zedekiah's Reign and Jerusalem's Fall

In this episode of the Immerse Bible Reading Experience, we cover Day 242, detailing the tumultuous period of Zedekiah's reign. Zedekiah became king at 21 and reigned in Jerusalem for 11 years, marked by actions that were displeasing to the Lord. The episode recounts the siege of Jerusalem by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, the severe famine, the ultimate fall of the city, and the brutal consequences for Zedekiah and his family. Further, it describes the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem's temple and important buildings, the exile of the city's remaining inhabitants, and the appointment of Gedaliah as governor. The episode also touches on the tragic assassination of Gedaliah and the subsequent flight to Egypt by the people of Judah. In a turn of events, the script concludes with the reign of Evil-Merodach and his kindness towards the exiled King Jehoiachin of Judah, releasing him from prison and providing for him.

00:00 Introduction to Immerse: The Daily Bible Reading Experience
00:04 Zedekiah's Reign and Rebellion
00:36 The Siege of Jerusalem
01:06 The Fall of Jerusalem
01:50 The Babylonian Destruction
02:21 The Aftermath and Exile
02:42 The Fate of the Temple Treasures
03:37 The Captivity of Judah's Leaders
04:23 Gedaliah's Governorship and Assassination
05:43 Joachin's Release and Favor
06:23 Conclusion and Farewell

Buy Immerse: Kingdoms Now!

Volume 3 — Joshua, Judges, Ruth, Samuel–Kings

Kingdoms

Immerse: Kingdoms is the third of six volumes in Immerse: The Bible Reading Experience. Kingdoms presents a new and unique journey through the story of Israel from the time of its conquest of Canaan (Joshua) through its struggle to settle the land (Judges, Ruth) and the establishment of Israel’s kingdom, which ends in a forced exile (Samuel–Kings). The nation of Israel, commissioned to be God’s light to the nations, falls to division and then foreign conquest for rejecting God’s rule.

4 Questions to get your conversations started:
1. What stood out to you this week?
2. Was there anything confusing or troubling?
3. Did anything make you think differently about God?
4. How might this change the way we live?

QUICK START GUIDE
3 ways to get the most out of your experience

1. Use Immerse: Beginnings instead of your regular chapter and verse Bible. This special reader’s edition restores the Bible to its natural simplicity and beauty by removing chapter and verse numbers and other historical additions. Letters look like letters, songs look like songs, and the original literary structures are visible in each book.
2. Commit to making this a community experience. Immerse is designed for groups to encounter large portions of the Bible together
   for 8 weeks–more like a book club, less like a Bible study. By meeting every week in small groups and discussing what you read in open,
   honest conversations, you and your community can come together to be transformed through an authentic experience with the Scriptures.
3. Aim to understand the big story. Read through “The Stories and the Story” (p. 483) to see how the books of the Bible work together to tell God’s story of his creation’s restoration. As you read through Immerse: Beginnings, rather than ask, “How do I fit God into my busy life?” begin asking, “How can I join in God’s great plan by living out my part in his story?”