“And in the thirty-seventh year of the exile of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, on the twenty-seventh day of the month, Evil-merodach king of Babylon, in the year that he began to reign, graciously freed (lifted up the head of) Jehoiachin king of Judah from prison. And he spoke kindly to him and gave him a seat above the seats of the kings who were with him in Babylon. So Jehoiachin put off his prison garments. And every day of his life he dined regularly at the king’s table, and for his allowance, a regular allowance was given him by the king, according to his daily needs, as long as he lived.” – 2 Kings 25:27-30
Jehoiachin
Yesterday, we looked at Zedekiah, the last king of Judah. Before Nebuchadnezzar appointed Zedekiah king, he carried away his successor and nephew, Jehoiachin, into exile. Jehoiachin’s reign was brief. Three months. Despite being a young king with a short reign, Jehoiachin left his mark. Like his uncle after him, he also did what was evil in the sight of the LORD. The seeds of evil don’t take long to produce fruit. Unlike his uncle, Jehoiachin surrendered to Nebuchadnezzar saving Jerusalem from destruction, albeit temporarily.
Although Nebuchadnezzar did not unleash his full wrath, he did plunder Jerusalem, carrying away the treasures of the house of the LORD and the treasures of the king’s house. Along with the treasures, Nebuchadnezzar took ten thousand captives consisting of the “top” citizens and craftsmen and leaving only the poorest behind in Jerusalem. With this segregation, Jeremiah’s prophecy of the Good Figs and the Bad Figs was set into motion. Those exiled were designated for good, those left behind for destruction (Jeremiah 24). The mighty Nebuchadnezzar was nothing but a pawn in the mighty hands of a sovereign God. We never know what instruments God might use to carry out His plans, but we can always be certain that His Word will be fulfilled.
“I will hurl you and the mother who bore you into another country, where you were not born, and there you shall die.” – Jeremiah 22:26
“And he carried away Jehoiachin to Babylon. The king’s mother, the king’s wives, his officials, and the chief men of the land he took into captivity from Jerusalem to Babylon.” – 2 Kings 24:15
Prison
For thirty-seven years Jehoiachin was a prisoner in Babylon. Plenty of time to reflect. Plenty of time to second guess. Plenty of time to repent. Eighteen years “old” is young for a king. One hundred days is short for a reign. Thirty-seven years is a long time to be held a prisoner. By anyone’s standards. But Jehoiachin was warned. Not only would his mother be exiled with him, but his offspring would never reign in Judah.
“Thus says the Lord: ‘Write this man down as childless, a man who shall not succeed in his days, for none of his offspring shall succeed in sitting on the throne of David and ruling again in Judah.’” – Jeremiah 22:30
It is difficult to suffer for our decisions and actions. It is painful to watch those whom we love suffer for our decisions and actions. As we see over and over in the Bible, doing evil in the sight of the Lord had grave consequences for many. Too often political leaders appear so indifferent. Did Jehoiachin’s heart grieve for his mother who was also taken from her native land? How did he feel knowing he was the last direct heir to the “Jewish” crown? As prophesied by Jeremiah, his offspring would not “succeed in sitting on the throne of David and ruling in Judah.” Bitter pills for a proud man of any age. Pills Jehoiachin had to swallow in his prison cell. As unpleasant as they are, bitter pills are often good for the soul. Specifically, if they lead to repentance. I suspect that is what Jeremiah and Daniel were praying for Jehoiachin.
Evil & Grace
The sands of time wear down every mortal. Nebuchadnezzar was no exception. The “destroyer of nations” (Jeremiah 4:7) would finally take his last breath. His successor was a man named Evil-merodoch. We are not told why, but Evil-merodoch showed kindness to Jehoiachin. After thirty-seven years the iron bars were opened. After thirty-seven years kind words were spoken to Jehoiachin. His prison garb was exchanged for clothes worthy of the king’s court. Jehoiachin went from a lowly prison cell to being elevated to “a seat above the seats of the kings who were with him in Babylon.” Instead of prison food, he ate every day at the king’s table. Instead of living in need, Evil-merodoch gave him a daily allowance to meet his needs for the rest of his life. We do not need to be told why Evil-merodoch showed this kindness to Jehoiachin. Grace needs no explanation. Don’t you agree?
Grace & You
What Evil-merodoch did for Jehoiachin is a picture of what God has done for you. When you were in sin’s prison, God lifted your head and set you free. The cruel words of the world were replaced by Heaven’s kind words. You have been given a seat in the heavenly places with Christ, high above any “Babylonian” king. Your prison garb was replaced by a robe of righteousness. You have been invited to dine at the King’s table. From His wealth, the King will provide for your needs. Forever. Such is grace.
How is this possible?
12 “And after the deportation to Babylon: Jeconiah (Jehoiachin) was the father of Shealtiel, and Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, 13 and Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, and Abiud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor, 14 and Azor the father of Zadok, and Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud, 15 and Eliud the father of Eleazar, and Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob, 16 and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ.” – Matthew 1:12-16
By the grace of God, Jehoiachin had a descendant who will sit on the throne forever. As I said earlier, we never know what instruments God will use to carry out His plans, but we can always be certain that His Word will be fulfilled.
What does Jehoiachin mean? Yahweh will uphold!
