God Speaks
The Reigns of the Final Kings of Judah Who Were Taken into Exile
Verse of the Day: [May the Holy Spirit protect us (both individuals and nations) from being like King Jedekiah.] He did evil in the eyes of the LORD his God and did not humble himself . . . He became stiff-necked and hardened his heart and would not turn to the LORD, the God of Israel. Furthermore, all the leaders of the priests and the people became more and more unfaithful, following all the detestable practices of the nations and defiling the temple of the LORD, which He had consecrated in Jerusalem.” (2 Chronicles 36:12a, 13b-14 NIV 2011)
Read or listen on BibleGateway.com
Watch TBR Day 231
We Respond
Reflection: Consider the following questions regarding 2 Kings 24-25 and 2 Chronicles 36:
1. What does this chapter tell me about God?
2. What does this chapter tell me about the human beings He created?
Here is one possible answer to each of these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit if there are any others for you personally to ponder.
2 Kings 24
1. In His time, God will exact vengeance on those who shed innocent blood. Someone will have to pay; the LORD is not willing to pardon.
2. It may be the descendants of people who shed innocent blood who pay the price for their sin.
2 Kings 25
1. God may use the kind actions of an ungodly person to illustrate His forgiveness, kindness, and provision for His people. For example, He used Evil-Merodach (called Awel-Marduk in the NLT) to show kindness to Jehoiachin.
2. People often panic when their leaders are deposed or assassinated, as in the case of the people of Judah when Gedaliah was killed.
2 Chronicles 36
1. God fulfills the words of faithful prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah. [See Isaiah 44:28, 45:1 and Jeremiah 25:11-12, 29:10.] For example, after 70 years King Cyrus of Persia did conquer the Babylonians and proclaim that the Temple should be rebuilt and that the exiles should return to their land.
2. People suffer when their leaders do evil in the sight of the LORD, refuse to humble themselves, rebel against God’s ordained authority, and stubbornly refuse to turn to the LORD or follow His ways.
Prayer:
3. How might I pray regarding 2 Kings 24-25 and 2 Chronicles 36?
O LORD God, You do not take our sins, especially the shedding of innocent blood, lightly. Someone will have to pay. LORD, You are not willing to excuse or overlook it. Therefore, thank You, Jesus, that as the righteous Son of God, You came to earth, lived a perfect, sinless life, and died to pay the penalty I deserve. I humbly ask that my descendants not have to suffer as the consequence of my sin, whether it is the shedding of innocent blood or not. Thank You for Your mercy, grace, and kindness that ____ showed me when they _____. It was totally unexpected since I didn’t consider them a friend, but an enemy or at least a stranger. Please help me to find a way to thank them as well. Don’t let me panic when circumstances cause a respected leader to be taken away. Remind me that You will never leave me or forsake me. You always keep Your word and fulfill the promises You have given through Your prophets. The words You gave Isaiah and Jeremiah that the Holy Spirit had them write in the Bible are proof of that. You can be trusted with my past, present, and [eternal] future. I love You, LORD. All You have said will come to pass and more that we can’t even imagine. Please comfort the people (especially children) who suffer when those who have authority over them do what is evil in Your sight, O LORD. Cause us all to humble ourselves, to embrace Your ordained authority, and to willingly turn to You, LORD, and follow Your ways. Then we will bring You glory, LORD. AMEN
Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)
4. What action does the LORD want me to take in response to 2 Kings 24-25 and 2 Chronicles 36? With the help of God’s Holy Spirit:
- I will tell someone specific that Jesus paid for their sins so that they can be pardoned and not have to face the LORD’s rightful vengeance and judgment if they will believe and trust Him.
- As appropriate, I will especially share the above statement with someone who has or is planning to shed innocent blood, such as someone who has had or is contemplating having an abortion.
- I will thank a person who shows me kindness even if they could be considered my enemy.
- I will pray for people in positions of leadership who are doing evil in the sight of God to become aware of the consequences of what they are doing, to humble themselves, to confess it, to submit to higher authorities, and to turn to the LORD and follow His ways.
Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.