“Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months. His mother’s name was Nehushta the daughter of Elnathan of Jerusalem. 9 And he did evil in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father had done. 10 At that time the servants of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up against Jerusalem, and the city was besieged. 11 And Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came against the city, as his servants were besieging it. 12 Then Jehoiachin king of Judah, his mother, his servants, his princes, and his officers went out to the king of Babylon; and the king of Babylon, in the eighth year of his reign, took him prisoner. 13 And he carried out from there all the treasures of the house of the Lord and the treasures of the king’s house, and he cut in pieces all the articles of gold which Solomon king of Israel had made in the temple of the Lord, as the Lord had said. 14 Also he carried into captivity all Jerusalem: all the captains and all the mighty men of valour, ten thousand captives, and all the craftsmen and smiths. None remained except the poorest people of the land.” 2 Kings 24:8-14 NKJV
God of Jerusalem and Judah,
The King of Babylon may have defeated Your people but we remember He cannot defeat You. The King, Your priests and Judah are just people. And this only happened because You warned them , they did not listen and it came to pass as You promised. You did warn them over and over and over again.
The writer of 2 Kings gives us more details than Chronicles (2 Chronicles 36:1-8) on this occasion. We are told that Nebuchadnezzar took all the treasures from the house of the Lord, the house of the king and the gold objects used in the Temple. Then he took Jehoiachin king of Judah, his mother, his servants, his princes, and his officers. On top of that he took all the captains and all the mighty men of valour, ten thousand captives, and all the craftsmen and smiths. Everything of value and anyone that might cause trouble.
He left all the poor people to ensure the place was looked after and the surrounding land cultivated and productive. He had all those with knowledge and skill and might close and under his management. The very best of society at his command. To use for himself.
It reminds me that Jesus didn’t see victory as the king of Babylon did. Jesus chose His disciples one by one and not for might, intelligence and valour. He chose the sons of thunder, brothers James and John, of fiery temperament. Peter a fisherman used to manual labour. Matthew a tax collector for the occupying Romans, seen as two faced by many, serving two masters. Simon a Zealot and opinionated? Jesus was interested in people not their roles or abilities. He told us a story (Luke 14:16-24) about a King who sent out invitations to his Sons wedding banquet. People fobbed him off with weak excuses so he send his servants to offer places to those on the highways and in hedges. The ordinary nobodies who wanted to come.
How grateful we are Father God that we come just as we are to be welcomed, loved and accepted. You build Your Kingdom in Your strength. You give abilities and chose to use the willing.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Friday 17th July 20226
Not sure when this took residence in my memory, perhaps in a tent meeting? So simple and so true
I’m accepted, I’m forgiven,
I am fathered by the true and living God
I’m accepted, no condemnation
I am loved by the true and living God
There’s no guilt or fear as I draw near
To the saviour and creator of the world
There is joy and peace
as I release my worship to you O God.
Lyrics: Rob Hayward