Scripture to Read: 2 Kings 23:28-37
After King Josiah’s death, Pharaoh Necho of Egypt placed Jehoahaz (son of Josiah) as king over Judah. Jehoahaz reigned three months before Pharaoh overthrew him. Pharaoh then imposed a heavy tribute on the land of Judah. Pharaoh replaced Jehoahaz with his brother Eliakim and renamed him Jehoiakim. Jehoiakim reigned for eleven years in Jerusalem; he is described as “doing evil in the sight of the Lord,” following the ways of the kings of Israel rather than his father David. After Jehoiakim’s death, his son Jehoiachin succeeded him but reigned for only three months. Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came, deported Jehoiachin to Babylon, along with members of the royal household, officials, and skilled workers. Nebuchadnezzar installed Zedekiah (another of Josiah’s sons) as king over Judah. We see in 2 Kings 23:28–37 a rapid succession of short, mostly wicked reigns in Judah after Josiah. God first used Egypt to bring His judgment on Judah and Jerusalem, and then, God used Babylon, setting the stage for Judah’s exile. This would have been when Daniel (from the book of Daniel) was taken captive. God always keeps His promises, and after Josiah’s death, we see God’s promised wrath come upon the nation. Thankfully, through Christ, we have the promises of God that one day we will live eternally with Him. We know, according to Ephesians 5:2, that Christ “gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.” Through Christ’s sacrifice, God’s full wrath was poured out on Him so we could surrender to Him as Lord and be made right with God the Father.
Challenge & Application
Why did God bring His judgment on the nation of Judah and Jerusalem?
Why, as Christians, do we not need to fear God’s judgment and wrath?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!