DEVOTIONAL

Today concludes the block of scripture telling the story of God and His people from King Saul to exile. Things turn dark because God cannot ignore the sin of Judah any longer. The city of Jerusalem is unstable, vulnerable, and easy prey. It is not until another twenty-two years that Jerusalem is destroyed to rubble. Darkness advances in a progression which feels miserable. My preference is to rip it off like a band-aid so that healing can begin. However, God is purposeful in everything He does especially in the story of Judah, His chosen people.

The progression is three-fold: siege the people from their land, remove them from the presence of God, and burn down every good thing in their land. All the events fulfill the warnings God sent to the people through prophets that they ignored. God is persistent to warn the people again and again, but they choose not to listen. They choose to live apart from God. In 2 Kings 24, the action starts. God sends the evil and twisted Chaldeans to partner with the Syrians to siege Judah. We read the warning in 2 Kings 23:27 where God says He will remove the people out of Jerusalem and out of the presence of God.

And the Lord said, “I will remove Judah also out of my sight, as I have removed Israel, and I will cast off this city that I have chosen, Jerusalem, and the house of which I said, My name shall be there.”

2 Kings 23:27

Next, under King Zedekiah, God removes the people of Judah and Jerusalem from His presence. The city of Jerusalem is the place God chose to dwell with His people. The place to put down roots, live securely, and be at peace. What causes God to cast out the people from His presence? King after king leads Judah away from God, like King Manasseh, to love and bow down to idols. To understand the darkness in the kings of Judah that built a faithless culture towards God, read 2 Chronicles 36:11-16. King Zedekiah is known for his rebellion, stubbornness, hardness of heart, and unfaithfulness to God. In verse 15 the contrast to King Zedekiah appears when God is described as persistent to pursue and compassionate to His people. Judah refuses to repent from decades of rebellion. God continues for decades to send warnings. The mercies of God are right there, and Judah flicks them off like an unwanted bug.

And finally, the last event to top off the exile is that Babylonians return to Jerusalem after sieging the people in 2 Kings 25:9 to set fire to the temple of the Lord. Now, a physical sign that the presence of God is no longer with Judah. The Babylonians pack up everything of value to ship back home. This includes the gold, silver, and bronze pieces consecrated at one time and set part for God. Anguish and despair fall over Jerusalem. What remains? A remnant of the poorest and least threatening people to work the fields. Wealth, power, and protection are gone.

Is there hope? Yes. We see hope in the final verses of 2 Kings 25:27-30 where King Jehoiachin is freed and granted favor by the new king of Babylon. The hope for Judah is through the covenant God made with David back in 2 Samuel 7:15-16. The prophet Nathan tells David that his kingdom will reign forever. This is hope for us too. The picture of Jehoiachin graciously freed and put off his prison garments is exactly what Jesus has done for each of us. Jesus, the Son of David, is the future king coming that is promised by God whose kingdom reigns forever. Jesus is the king that frees us from our bondage of sin and lifts off the garments of shame to walk in freedom (Hebrews 12:1-3; Colossians 3:1-17; Galatians 5:1).

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.

Hebrews 12:1-2

During my journey in 2021 reading 1&2 Samuel, 1&2 Kings, and 1&2 Chronicles the theme “God makes a way” is what fascinated me. It fueled my curiosity to turn the next page and keep reading. How does God make a way? After seventy years in exile, Judah is invited to “go up” and rebuild the temple of God in 2 Chronicles 36:22-23. God makes a way with another chance for Judah to respond in obedience to Yahweh. The steadfast love of God for Judah and Israel blows my mind. And it is their story that fills my prayers asking God to help me choose obedience, soften my heart to Him, and trust God always makes a way. My hope is this reminder grounds you in truth with the encouragement God makes a way for you too.

Q: What are the chains of darkness holding you back from living in the freedom the King of Kings graciously offers you? Where could you trust God to make a way that looks impossible in your life right now?

Additional Reading: 2 Chronicles 36