"The End" - Jeremiah 52

Introduction

Remember, last week we mentioned that a group of Israelites were pushed out of Jerusalem. Contrary to what we thought (and the Israelites thought), these exiles were actually the group favored by God. It was those remaining in the city that God’s judgement would fall upon. Here, in chapter 52, we finally see the hammer fall.

v.3 - Why thrust from God’s presence?

v. 3 What does this tell you about the character of Zedekiah?

v.10 - Why them?

v. 13 Why start with the temple?

24 - What do you notice about this group of people?

I want to focus on Jehoiachin. He’d been in prison for 37 years. And suddenly, one day, Nebuchadnezzar had died.

His son takes the throne, and Awel-Marduk declares that Jehoiachin should be set free. Just like that. He didn’t have to do anything. The Bible doesn’t give us any reasoning. Awel-Marduk just says it and it is so.

Not only is Jehoiachin released from prison, but he is also spoke kindly to him. Literally “spoke good things with him”.

This is crazy. What makes us think that this Babylonian king should be kind to an Israelite. They have a checkered past to say the least. There’s a lot of baggage there. These Babylonian were barbaries. They were killers. And yet, for some reason this king speaks kind words to Jehoiachin.

Why do you think that is?

It’s clear something divine is going on.

And it would still have been extraordinary if that was where it ended. But it goes so much further.

Awel-Marduk extends to Jehoiachin a seat at the table! In fact, the best seat. All these other kings can forget it! Who is sitting at Awel-Marduk’s right hand? Jehoiachin!

Now, I want to pause there, because I think this passage provides for us a parallel that we can match up to the NT.

Look with me in 1 Peter 5.

The New International Version Chapter 5

5 In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,

“God opposes the proud

but shows favor to the humble.” o

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

One of my favorite verses. There’s some important things to realize here. First, God does not promise freedom from suffering. He doesn’t promise that there won’t be death. That we won’t have enemies. That our cities won’t burn and walls be torn down. He doesn't promise that we won’t be thrown into prison.

But what he does promise is restoration and strength.

Key in on verse 6.

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time

We like Jehoiachin humble ourselves. Put on our prison clothes and quietly wait out our sentence. If we find ourselves in exile, and rather than fight and grow angry, we instead trust in God and remain obedient to him…God will lift us up in DUE TIME.

I love that Peter put that caveat in there. Due Time.

We don’t get released from the prison of our circumstances in our own time. He doesn’t even say it will be a short while. He says in due time. In God’s time. Then God will lift us up!

Jehoiachin had to wait 37 years! That’s due time! That’s God’s timing. But after waiting in humility for 37 years, boy did God lift him up. A seat at the table.

If we find ourselves in prison, sometimes we need to wait it out humbly. And in due time, God will lift us out.