Jehoiakim and Enemies

“Surely at the commandment of Jehovah came this upon Judah, to remove them out of his sight, for the sins of Manasseh, according to all that he did, and also for the innocent blood that he shed; for he filled Jerusalem with innocent blood: and Jehovah would not pardon.”

2 Kings 24:3-4

Jehoiakim king of Judah was the son of Jehoahaz who chose to do evil and die in Egypt a slave of Pharoah-Necoh. Jehoiakim did not learn from this, and he chose to do evil in his own right (cf. 2 Kings 23:37). He, for a time, subjugated himself to Nebuchadnezzar but turned and rebelled against him (cf. 2 Kings 24:1). Nebuchadnezzar was not the only problem for Jehoiakim. Due to his rebellion, Chaldeans, Assyrians, Ammonites, and Moabites all came after him, and God said it would happen.

Jehoiakim chose this, God allowed the Punishment

The sin of Judah was nothing new. It was an ongoing practice that was carried out by the king and his people. God was true to His Word, and, despite the warnings from His Law and His prophets, the people would not fear the Lord and seek His wisdom. God allowed insult to be added to their injury. This proud king was bound in bronze chains (cf. 2 Chron 36:6) and brought to Babylon. The Babylonians took the vessels of the house of Jehovah and Nebuchadnezzar put them in the temple of Babylon (cf. 2 Chron 36:7). Evidently, the mockery of the sins of Manasseh was so great that God would simply allow Gentile idolaters to carry away the vessels of the temple to a foreign land. This seems outrageous. However, the far worse action was that the king and then the people of Judah would be taken into the land of captivity.

Current Choices Allow for Future Repercussions

This must make us think. As the Lord’s body, we have let some things be carried off. I find it outrageous that many within the church are no longer students of the Word. Some of the brethren and our children will not be carried off into captivity unless we repent and turn to God. I pray that as you read these articles regarding the kings of Israel and Judah, that you will see the pattern. Idolatrous, half-hearted false worship is abominable to God.

I am confident that God’s grace reaches us. It is abundant, and it is sufficient for you and me. If you will only humble your hearts and seek the wisdom of God, we can be His body and He our God. We must be willing to teach the truth and support others who are committed to teaching the truth. We must be unwilling to tolerate false doctrine. God will show favor to us if we only turn our hearts to Him and refuse to serve the false gods of the nations.

Grace and Peace,

R.D. Beavers

Comments

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