October 26, 2020
What does it say?
The final siege culminated in the utter destruction of Jerusalem and its temple. Zedekiah’s sons were killed, and his eyes were put out. Jehoiachin found mercy.
What does it mean?
This passage demonstrates how God’s justice works alongside His grace. Zedekiah’s wickedness was severely judged, while King Jehoiachin found mercy at Evil-Merodach’s table. God has every right to judge disobedience in His children, but He never compromises His purposes. By sparing Jehoiachin, an ancestor of Christ, the Lord fulfilled His promise of a Savior through the line of David. God’s mercy and grace continued despite a long line of evil kings and Israel’s complete disobedience.
How should I respond?
God remains the same – yesterday, today, and forever. That means that He continues to judge sin while offering grace to everyone who accepts it (Romans 5:8). The King of kings from the lineage of David is also the Savior of the world who took the penalty for your sin, satisfying God’s justice. Have you accepted His mercy and grace through faith in Christ (Eph. 2:4-8)? If not, accept His gift today. If you are already a follower of Christ, how are you responding to the Lord’s grace? What areas of disobedience do you need to confess and turn from? God’s discipline is also an expression of His loving mercy.|For further reading, 1 Chronicles 1-2