Jehoiachin rules in Judah

II Kings Chapter 24

During Jehoiakim's reign, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon invaded Judah. Jehoiakim surrendered and paid him for three years, but then rebelled. The Lord sent bands raiders against Judah, as the Lord had promised through his prophets. God had decided to remove Judah from his presence because of the many sins of Manasseh.

When Jehoiakim died, his son Jehoiachin became the next king. The kings of Egypt never returned after that, for the king of Babylon occupied the entire area formerly claimed by Egypt. Jehoiachin did what was evil in the Lord's sight and during his reign, and during the siege by the Babalonians, Nebachadnezzar himself came to Jerusalem. King Jehoiachin surrendered and was taken prisoner. Nebuchadnezzar carried away all the treasures from the Lord's Temple and the palace. They cut apart the gold vessels that King Solomon had placed in the Temple. Ten thousand captives from Jerusalem were taken including all the princes, the best of soldiers, craftsmen etc. Only the poorest people were left in the land.

Then Nebuchadnezzar installed Mattaniah, Jehoiachin's uncle as the next king and changed his name to Zedekiah. Zedekiah reigned for eleven years and did what was evil in the Lord's sight. So the Lord in his anger, banished the people of Jerusalem and Judah from his presence and sent them into exile.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW: There were three Babylonian invasions of Judah and in the first, a captive named Daniel was taken prisoner. Babylonian troops were already on the march to crush Jehoiakim's rebellion when he died. After his death, his son Jehoiachin became king and had to face the mightiest army just weeks after he was crowned. Though Nebuchadnezzar placed Zedekiah on the the throne, the Jews did not recognize him so long as Jehoiachin was alive.

HOW DOES THIS CHAPTER RELATE TO US TODAY? By taking captives and allowing them to integrate into Babylonian society, the Jewish leaders were still united and faithful to God and made it possible for their return in the days of Zerabbel and Ezra. Would you have the fortitude and strength of faith to remain faithful to God during times of captivity and turbulence? Someday you may be called to do so. Let us pray that God will watch over us and demonstrate his mercy and give us opportunities to spread his word no matter where we are.

Yours in Christ,
Mary

Prayer Requests are needed for:
HEALTH:
My niece Suzanne who was in a terrible car accident and is in the hospital with many broken bones. Pray for her healing. Also Gabe, Wanda, Janice Long’s parents. especially her mother whose cancer has returned, and Arlene’s nephew David. Pray for my neighbor Al who is nearing the end of his life. Pray for Carolyn’s brother Ronald who has cancer. Pray for our friend Michelle who was diagnosed with MS. Pray for Cyndi Sullivan who was given 14 months to live with cancer, but has made it six years. The pain has returned and she needs our prayers.
UPDATE on Barb who went in for back surgery and had a heart attack and stroke, she has 90 percent of her speech back and is home , but continues to have a problem with one arm and hand. She will require long therapy and insurance may soon be a problem since her job was not held for her.
Pray for Robert Sargent with lung cancer and Marthaline Sargent with serious health issues..
Pray for Carolyn’s friend Margaret and her husband who were in a car accident. As elderly drivers they may face a life change which may cost them their independence. Let’s all raise our voices to God to hear our prayers.
Pray for the speedy recovery of Sandy in Minnesota who underwent successful brain surgery for a tumor recently.
SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary
RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John
LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter, Brian
SUPPORT: Haiti, Chile, survivors of Japan’s earthquake, survivors of the devastating tornadoes in our southernmost states and Joplin, Missouri. Pray too, for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom.