29 April

Bible In 365 Days 

2 Kings 23-25

2 Kings 23

In this chapter we have a graphic account of the reformation following the discovery of the book of the Law. It was carried out by the splendid enthusiasm and energy of Josiah, and it is interesting to note its process. First came the public reading of the book of the Law. This was followed by a covenant into which all entered to restore the lost order. Immediately succeeding, the work went forward, and a simple reading of the story shows how thoroughly, so far as the king was concerned, the work was done. The Temple was cleansed of all the vessels of false religions, and also of the priests. From one end of the country to the other, the idolatrous idols and altars were swept away.

Following this drastic cleansing of the land, the Passover feast, long neglected, was observed with all its ancient glory. As we have said, as far as Josiah was concerned, this whole procedure was the outcome of sincerity and loyalty. The people, however, were simply following the lead of the king, not under any sense of penitence or return to Jehovah. Therefore God did not turn from His necessary judgment. Josiah had done all he was able to do, and in fulfilment of the prophecy of Huldah was gathered to rest before the final stroke fell. Thus, with fine discrimination God moves forward, delivering the godly from the midst of judgment as it falls upon the godless.

And now, in rapid succession, the judgments fell. Jehoahaz succeeded to the throne, and notwithstanding all that had been done during the reign of Josiah, returned immediately to evil ways in his brief reign of three months. The king of Egypt deposed him, and set Jehoiakim on the throne. However, he reigned only as tributary to Pharaoh. The lesson of righteousness was not learned, and for eleven years this man, no longer king but only the vassal of Egypt, continued his evil way.

2 Kings 24

Jehoiakim became tributary to Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar. The continuity of evil made impossible any respite, and it is solemnly written, "The Lord would not pardon."

In this connection the sins of Jehoiakim are attributed to Manasseh, that is to say that it was during the fifty-five years of Manasseh's reign that the fate of the nation was sealed. His successors continued in his evil way, and that with no trace of repentance or reformation.

Finally, Jehoiachin, who had succeeded to Jehoiakim, was carried away by Nebuchadnezzar, with all the men of war, and rulers who were likely to rebel. In place of Jehoiachin, Nebuchadnezzar made Zedekiah his representative and vassal. Zedekiah held this position eleven years, during which he continued his evil conduct. In process of time he rebelled against the king of Babylon.

2 Kings 25

The rebellion was easily quelled, and Zedekiah was captured and taken to Babylon. His fate is tragic and awful. With eyes put out, and bound in fetters, he was carried to the court of his conqueror as the type and symbol of the people who had rebelled against God and been broken in pieces. A poor remnant still remained in the land over whom Gedaliah was appointed governor for a brief period. After his murder, the remnant fled to Egypt, and thus the nation called to peculiar position of honor, became a people scattered and peeled, losing all their privileges because of their failure to fulfil responsibility.

On the human side the record ends in tragic and disastrous failure. To those whose eyes are fixed on the eternal Throne it is certain that the divine purpose must be accomplished. Into long years of servitude and suffering these people have passed, still to be watched over by their one and only King, and, according to the covenant of grace, by these very conditions are prepared for co-operation in the ultimate movements of the overruling God.