READING THE BOOK OF SECOND KINGS CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE.
The word of God is truth, He guides our lives and wants to prosper us. But often times we choose the follow our own desires and cause more harm and sadness in our own lives and those around us. Lets learn from the mistakes of Israel and their leaders and surrender our lives to Him who want the best for us.
Our favorite verse in 2 Kings Chapter 25 is:
They killed the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes. Then they put out his eyes, bound him with bronze shackles and took him to Babylon. (2 Kings 25:7 NIV)
Lesson
Sad ending for a leader and his people
- Historical data. – Nebuchadnezzar invaded Jerusalem three times: the year 605. A.C. during the reign of Jehoiakim. The year 596 A.C., during the reign Joaquin he returned to conquer Jerusalem, took 10,000 captives to Babylon, among these were Daniel and his friends. Finally, the year 586 A.C., during the reign of Zedekiah, Nebuchadnezzar burned the main buildings, destroyed the walls and took the bronze vessels from the temple.
- Zedekiah suffered one of the most painful punishments a parent can suffer: His children were slaughtered in front of him, then his eyes were pulled out, so that the last thing he could remember seeing was how they killed his children. A tragic ending for a king and his family.
- “ The children of Israel were taken captive to Babylon because they separated from God, and no longer maintained the principles that had been given to keep them free from the methods and practises of the nations who dishonored God. The Lord could not give them prosperity, he could not fulfil his covenant with them, while they were untrue to the principles he had given them zealously to maintain. By their spirit and their actions they misrepresented his character, and he permitted them to be taken captive. Because of their separation from him, he humbled them. “E. White (CBA 2:1304).
Prayer.
Dear heavenly father, in these last chapters of the book of 2 kings we have read about suffering brought to leadership of Israel and the people of god. We don’t want to see this story repeated in your remnant church. We ask you to speak to us through your word every day. We pray that your holy spirit may work in us and lead us into righteousness and obedience. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
By Dr. Franz Rios, Translated and adapted by Pablo J. Rios.
