The Babylonian captivity had a transformative impact on the Jewish people, curing them of idolatry and developing their business skills, before ending with Cyrus's decree to return.
Les Feldick explains that the 70-year captivity in Babylon permanently turned the Jews away from idolatry and honed their abilities in commerce. He also notes that when the captivity ended, King Cyrus of Persia decreed that they could return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple and restore their national worship.
2 Chronicles 36:21 — This verse explains the 70-year captivity as a fulfillment of God's word about the land enjoying its sabbaths.
From the evidence provided, the Bible records that because the people of Judah neglected the sabbatical years for 490 years, God sent them into captivity in Babylon for 70 years to let the land rest (see 2 Chronicles 36:21; also see the teaching of Les Feldick in the clips). The captivity is associated with Nebuchadnezzar's invasion in 606 B.C., when he carried away the vessels of the temple and took captives to Babylon (as noted in 2 Chronicles 36:18-20). The Bible also records that Cyrus, king of Persia, issued a decree in his first year allowing the Jews to return and rebuild the temple (as referenced in 2 Chronicles 36:22-23).
Les Feldick teaches that the Babylonian captivity had two lasting effects on the Jewish people. First, it completely cured them of idolatry. Even Jews who are not orthodox or who identify as agnostic or atheist are never found practicing idolatry or following Oriental religions. Second, their time in Babylon developed their aptitude for business; they became outstanding businesspeople, with Babylon being the beginning of the banking system. Les also emphasizes that the 70-year captivity was primarily to make up for the 490 years of neglected sabbaticals, and that only a few thousand Jews returned under Cyrus's decree to reestablish the nation for Christ's coming.
Les Feldick explains that the 70-year captivity fulfilled God's command to let the land rest. The Jews had neglected the sabbatical year—leaving the land fallow every seventh year—for 490 years. God then sent them into captivity for 70 years to make up for those missed sabbaths, one year for each sabbatical year they failed to observe.
After the 70-year captivity, Cyrus, king of Persia, issued a decree allowing the Jews to return to Jerusalem. A small remnant, led by Ezra, returned to rebuild the temple and reestablish temple worship. The majority of Jews, however, remained assimilated throughout the Gentile world, eventually becoming known as Grecians—Jews who maintained their Judaistic practices but adopted the language and customs of their host nations.
Les Feldick teaches that the captivity permanently cured the Jewish people of idolatry. Even if a Jew is not orthodox and may be agnostic or atheist, they will not be found following Oriental religions or practicing idolatry. This was a lasting and defining change.
Background on False Teachers and Faith Pressure
Les Feldick discusses the pressure on Christians in America, which sets the context for why he teaches on the times of the Gentiles and the Babylonian captivity.
Timeline of the Captivity and Return
Les highlights that Nebuchadnezzar took Daniel and others captive in 606 B.C., and after 70 years, Ezra returned under Cyrus's decree to rebuild the temple.
Rebuilding After the Captivity
Les explains that after the 70-year captivity, God commanded through Cyrus that the Jews rebuild the temple, which Ezra did, setting the stage for Christ's coming.
Assimilation of Jews
Les notes that only a few thousand Jews returned; the rest assimilated into Gentile nations, retaining Judaistic practices but adopting local languages and customs.
Reason for 70-Year Captivity
Les teaches that the 70-year captivity was God's way of giving the land the sabbatical rests the Jews had denied it for 490 years.
Exile to Babylon
Les describes how Nebuchadnezzar carried the temple treasures and people to Babylon, where they remained until the Persian conquest.
Idolatry and Sabbatical Years
Les explains that while idolatry was a cause, the primary reason for the 70 years was to make up for the neglected sabbatical years.
Jeremiah's Warning
Les recounts how Jeremiah prophesied the Babylonian invasion because of Judah's idolatry, and was thrown into a dungeon for his warning.
2 Chronicles 36:21: To fulfil the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her sabbaths: for as long as she lay desolate she kept sabbath, to fulfil threescore and ten years.
This verse directly supports the 70-year captivity as a consequence of the land needing to observe its sabbaths.
2 Chronicles 36:22: Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD spoken by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying,
This verse shows the beginning of the return, as Cyrus issues the decree for the Jews to go back.
The Babylonian captivity lasted 70 years, from 606 B.C. to about 536 B.C., according to Les Feldick's teaching. This period is based on God's prophecy and the need for the land to rest.
No, only a small remnant returned under Cyrus's decree to rebuild the temple. The majority stayed in the Gentile world and became assimilated, though they kept their Judaistic practices.
Les Feldick identifies two main effects: it permanently turned the Jews away from idolatry, and it developed their business and commercial skills, which they had not fully displayed before.
Watch the Teaching: What the Bible Really Says About the Times of the Gentiles