6 “For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. 7 It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the Lord set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples, 8 but it is because the Lord loves you and is keeping the oath that he swore to your fathers, that the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.” – Deuteronomy 7:6-8
Chosen By God
The nation of Israel was unique. Out of all the nations of the world, God chose them to be His special people. God chose Israel to be His instrument to reach the nations when He chose Abraham (Abram). When God called Abram in Genesis chapter twelve He promised to make him a great nation and make his name great. The covenant God made with Abraham was repeated with his son Isaac and grandson Jacob. God’s intention was for “all the families of the earth” to be blessed through Israel (Genesis 12:3). Israel was to be “a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (Exodus 19:6). The nations would see Israel blessed for obedience to God’s word and punished for their disobedience. Like a light on a hill, they were set up as a model nation for all the world to see. In a sense, the vision was lost on Israel.
Rejecting God
Although God chose them to be unique, the Israelites wanted to be like the other nations. They were not content with being a kingdom of priests. They wanted a king. When they asked for a king, they were rejecting God. The God that chose them. The God that loved them. The God that made a covenant with them. God warned them of the consequences but they insisted on having a king regardless. So God gave them Saul. When Saul was proclaimed as their first king the Israelites responded with shouts of, “Long live the king” (1 Samuel 10:24b)! The excitement of the Israelites, however, wasn’t shared by God, “I regret that I have made Saul king, for he has turned his back from following Me and has not performed My commandments” (1 Samuel 15:11a).
Like the kingdom he was leading, Saul turned his back on God. The chosen rejecting the chooser. As a man, Saul may have stood taller than his peers, but as a king, he set a low bar. Unfortunately, that bar was lowered by many of his successors. Although the kingdom would become divided, one thing was constant. Too many kings were introduced with the words, “And he did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father had done.” Despite the failure of Israel’s kings, God’s love never failed.
Kings and Counsel
“And the king of Babylon (Nebuchadnezzar) made Mattaniah, Jehoiachin’s uncle, king in his place, and changed his name to Zedekiah.” – 2 Kings 24:17
“Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. He did what was evil in the sight of the LORD his God. He did not humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet, who spoke from the mouth of the LORD.” – 2 Chronicles 36:11-12
4 “Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” – Jeremiah 1:4-5
The line of kings that began with Saul, ended with Zedekiah. At least for the Southern Kingdom. While Saul was handpicked by God, Zedekiah was handpicked by Nebuchadnezzar, the enemy of Israel. When Saul was anointed as the first king, he was anointed by the prophet Samuel. God loved Israel too much to completely abandon them to their kings. God’s chosen nation needed direction. They needed to hear from God. So God chose individuals, prophets, to be his spokesmen. From Saul to Zedekiah, Israel’s kings were guided by God’s prophets. Although handpicked by the king of an enemy nation, Zedekiah was privy to the counsel of Jeremiah. Unfortunately, good counsel does not always guarantee good choices. Despite godly influence, Zedekiah “did what was evil in the sight of the LORD his God.” Pride once again reared its ugly head, “He did not humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet, who spoke from the mouth of the LORD.”
Wayward Sons
Zedekiah’s father was Josiah. The king famous for his reforms after the Book of the Law was found in the Temple. Of Josiah, Scriptures say, “He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD and walked in all the way of David his father, and he did not turn aside to the right or to the left” (2 Kings 22:2). One would hope that the influence of a godly father would not be lost on his sons. Sadly, history shows us over and over that children often wander from the spiritual footprints over their fathers. Just ask Samuel. While he was anointing Saul, his sons were perverting justice.
Zedekiah’s Disobedience
If Zedekiah was too proud to humbly follow the lead of his father, perhaps one could hope he would heed the advice of God’s spokesman, but he didn’t. Jeremiah warned Zedekiah of the imminent danger presented by Babylon, but in his pride and selfishness, he rejected the word of God related through His faithful prophet. One sentence reveals the heart of Zedekiah, “I am afraid of the Judeans who have deserted to the Chaldeans, lest I be handed over to them and they deal cruelly with me” (Jeremiah 38:19).
The cost of disobedience? Destruction and devastation. The city of Jerusalem. The Temple. His citizens. His wife. His children. Zedekiah was willing to sacrifice all of this because he was afraid of being dealt with cruelly. How cruel of him. Makes me wonder what Jeremiah was thinking.
Jeremiah’s Obedience
17 “But you, dress yourself for work; arise, and say to them everything that I command you. Do not be dismayed by them, lest I dismay you before them. 18 And I, behold, I make you this day a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls, against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests, and the people of the land. 19 They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, declares the Lord, to deliver you.” – Jeremiah 1:17-19
The cost of obedience? Persecution and sorrow. Betrayed by relatives. Beaten and put into stocks. Put in prison. Forbidden from the temple. Placed in a dungeon cell. Lowered into a cistern. Jeremiah was mocked and ridiculed. He witnessed the unfaithfulness of those around him. He watched over and over as the counsel he conveyed on God’s behalf was rejected. Out of His love for God and others Jeremiah was willing to endure all of this. Through his tears, Jeremiah remained faithful to His calling. Zedekiah might not humble himself before God, but Jeremiah did. The contrast couldn’t be greater.
Babylonian Chains
Just as Jeremiah prophesied, Babylon and Nebuchadnezzar came calling. God is not to be mocked. Zedekiah ran but he could not hide. The Babylonians captured him and acted cruelly to him. Zedekiah’s sons were lined up before him and he was forced to witness their slaughter. After they executed his sons, the Babylonians put out Zedekiah’s eyes. Zedekiah would spend the rest of his life blind, but I am sure the last image his eyes ever witnessed would be forever forged in his mind. Pride and disobedience come with a heavy price tag.
Together, Israel’s last king and God’s faithful prophet were carried into exile to Babylon. One carried with him the promise of God, “I am with you, declares the Lord, to deliver you.” One carried the guilt of disobedience. One was a light on a hill in the midst of darkness. One was blind. Physically and spiritually. Obedience and disobedience both come with a cost. But obedience alone comes with a reward. Although Jeremiah and Zedekiah were both in Babylonian chains, only one of them was a prisoner. While Zedekiah could not see the path he was taking, Jeremiah was taking the blessings of God to the nations. Although many could not see it, Jeremiah did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. Despite the circumstances, Jeremiah faithfully served a faithful God; always keeping his eyes on God, confident that the One who formed him in the womb would safely bring him home.
Comforting Promises
42 “For thus says the Lord: Just as I have brought all this great disaster upon this people, so I will bring upon them all the good that I promise them.” – Jeremiah 32:42
14 “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 15 In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David, and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 16 In those days Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will dwell securely. And this is the name by which it will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’” – Jeremiah 33:14-16
22″The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
23 they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
24 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
“therefore I will hope in him.” Lamentations 3:22-24