From Prison to Palace
Last night we attended a play of the Wizard of Oz at our grand kids elementary school. Today was a day of great weather. I mowed my lawn for the first time this season. This afternoon I made my way to Estes Park for our Allies Men’s Retreat. It should be a good weekend. Mark Batterson from Washington DC, author “The Circle Maker” and several other best selling books will be our speaker.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “…Evil-merodach became king of Babylon, he pardoned King Jehoiachin of Judah and released him from prison. He spoke kindly to him and set his throne over the thrones of the kings who were with him in Babylon. So Jehoiachin changed his prison clothes, and he dined regularly in the presence of the king of Babylon for the rest of his life. As for his allowance, a regular allowance was given to him by the king, a portion for each day, for the rest of his life.” 2 Kings 25:27-30 HCSB
This account of King Jehoiachin is the final report in 2 Kings. Judah is taken captive by Babylon. The years between King Josiah and the final fall of Jerusalem are filled with turmoil, attacks and quick succession of leaders. When you see the elevation of Jehoiachin from prison to a position of privilege is begs the question, “why?”
I believe the key is found in the simple and easily overlooked description of his capture. Jehoiachin was only 18 when he became king and reigned for only three months. As the Babylonians came against the city we read, “Jehoiachin king of Judah, along with his mother, his servants, his commanders, and his officials, surrendered to the king of Babylon...“ (2 Kings 24:12 HCSB)
Jehoiachin was the only king of Judah to surrender to the Babylons. King Jehoiakim, (Jehoichin’s father) reigned as a vassal of the King of Babylon and then rebelled. He disobeyed the Lord and disobeyed the King of Babylon and died in his disobedience.
King Zedekiah, followed Jehoichin and refused to obey the word of the Lord through Jeremiah. He fled the city at night, was captured by the Babylonians. His eyes were gouged out after he watched the Babylonians kills his two sons.
For years Jeremiah the prophet spoke against Jerusalem that God’s judgment was coming and that it was the Lord’s will for them to submit to the King of Babylon. Jeremiah was ignored, persecuted and treated as a traitor. King Jehoichin was the only leader to surrender and as a result in God’s time was brought from prison to the palace and was given a position of privilege the rest of his life.
I believe these events are a vindication of Jeremiah’s prophetic words. They can almost be missed without “connecting the dots.” Jeremiah had spoken that “if you surrender, to the King of Babylon it will go well for you.” It is hard to hear messages that go against the grain of our expectations. Initially Jehoichin spent several years in prison, but those years ended up a being few compared to the years spent in his elevated position.
Bottom line. When we obey God’s Word and follow in faith, even when it doesn’t make sense and even when there is initial hardship; we can rest assured that the Lord will prove Himself trustworthy and true.