Jehoiachin - Irredeemable

2 Kings 24:8–17 KJV 1900

8 Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months. And his mother’s name was Nehushta, the daughter of Elnathan of Jerusalem. 9 And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father had done. 10 At that time the servants of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up against Jerusalem, and the city was besieged. 11 And Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came against the city, and his servants did besiege it. 12 And Jehoiachin the king of Judah went out to the king of Babylon, he, and his mother, and his servants, and his princes, and his officers: and the king of Babylon took him in the eighth year of his reign. 13 And he carried out thence all the treasures of the house of the Lord, and the treasures of the king’s house, and cut in pieces all the vessels of gold which Solomon king of Israel had made in the temple of the Lord, as the Lord had said. 14 And he carried away all Jerusalem, and all the princes, and all the mighty men of valour, even ten thousand captives, and all the craftsmen and smiths: none remained, save the poorest sort of the people of the land. 15 And he carried away Jehoiachin to Babylon, and the king’s mother, and the king’s wives, and his officers, and the mighty of the land, those carried he into captivity from Jerusalem to Babylon. 16 And all the men of might, even seven thousand, and craftsmen and smiths a thousand, all that were strong and apt for war, even them the king of Babylon brought captive to Babylon. 17 And the king of Babylon made Mattaniah his father’s brother king in his stead, and changed his name to Zedekiah.

Introduction

John Newton the famed preacher and song writer said that there are three wonders that he would see in heaven. He said, “The first wonder will be, to see many people there whom I did not expect to see the second wonder will be, to miss many people whom I did expect to see and the third and greatest wonder of all, will be to find myself there.

A wonder is something that is unexpected or unexplainable.

Our passage this morning details a wondrous story that perfectly fits that description.

I believe we will also see some striking similarities to our own lives through this passage.

Our passage begins with a young man named Jehoiachin assuming the throne of Israel.

As an 18 year old young man, Jehoiachin is now the leader of the once proud country of Judah.

By this time, Judah is a shadow of it’s former self.

The reforms made by Jehoiachin’s grandfather, Josiah, had not lasted.

In the space of just over 11 years, Judah had returned to it’s wicked ways.

This was led by Jehoiakim, Josiah’s son and Jehoiachin’s father.

Judah had ignored God’s final offer of repentance, and were now well on their way to destruction.

In fact, just three years before Jehoiachin’s reign began Nebuchadnezzar had already taken possession of the many Judean young people.

These captives include a young man named Daniel.

It is quite probable that Jehoiachin and Daniel were around the same age.

Their lives, at this stage could not be more different.

While Daniel was standing for what’s right, in verse 9 we see that Jehoiachin lived a life that was evil in the sight of the Lord, just like his father had.

Now, not only had Jehoiachin inherited the morals and the throne of his father, he had also inherited his father’s problem.

Three years earlier, Jehoiakim had allied himself with Egypt in a failed attempt to defeat the Babylonians.

In the process of throwing down this rebellion, Nebuchadnezzar’s father had died.

This forced Nebuchadnezzar to return to Babylon without finishing the destruction of Judah.

Three months into Jehoiachin’s reign, and Nebuchadnezzar is back to finish the job.

The newly crowned ruler of the Babylonian Empire returns to personally oversee the siege of Jerusalem.

Even in it’s weakened state, Jerusalem would be an enormously difficult city to overthrow.

Nebuchadnezzar’s forces settle in for what could very well be a several year long siege.

Jerusalem does not fall at this point, but when it does fall, some twelve years later, it is only after a grueling 30 months that the city fell.

Jehoiachin, however decides not to attempt a defense of the city.

The man whose office had been divinely appointed to protect the people decides not to fight.

At all levels of society we see the responsibility to protect those under your leadership.

Jehoiachin abandons his responsibility to protect the people of Judah, in an attempt to secure better treatment for himself.

Verse 12 tells us that Jehoiachin went out and surrendered himself to Nebuchadnezzar.

No doubt, Jehoiachin assumed that if he rolled over in submission to Nebuchadnezzar, he would receive better treatment.

Maybe Nebuchadnezzar would even allow him to remain as “king” of Judah in submission to Babylon.

This was not to be.

Verses 13 -15 tell us that Nebuchadnezzar carried away not only Jehoiachin and his entire family, but also all the people of Judah save the poorest of citizens.

He also went through the king’s palace and the temple and carried away all of the treasure.

In an attempt to save his own skin, Jehoiachin found himself thrown in an abhorrent Babylonian prison.

His short reign of three months has already ended.

At 18 years of age he has succeeded in turning over his city and it’s people to the greed and violence of Nebuchadnezzar.

You could almost feel sorry for Jehoiachin.

Sure verse 9 says, “he did that which was evil,” but at 18 how evil could he be?

And yeah, he abandoned his people when they needed him most, but there aren't many men in the world who stood up to Nebuchadnezzar.

Did Jehoiachin really deserve for God to allow these events in his life?

Before you make your decision, you deserve to know that the Bible is not silent on just how bad Jehoiachin actually was.

While our passage says that he did evil, Ezekiel, who was also a contemporary of Jehoiachin, paints a more descriptive picture of this man’s character.

Ezekiel had witnessed Jehoiachin’s three month reign and had been taken captive as a result of his inaction.

He was perhaps the most qualified person to give an account of Jehoiachin’s character.

In Ezekiel 19, Jehoiachin is portrayed as a young lion. Ezekiel 19:5-9

Ezekiel 19:5–9 KJV 1900

5 Now when she saw that she had waited, and her hope was lost, then she took another of her whelps, and made him a young lion. 6 And he went up and down among the lions, he became a young lion, and learned to catch the prey, and devoured men. 7 And he knew their desolate palaces, and he laid waste their cities; and the land was desolate, and the fulness thereof, by the noise of his roaring. 8 Then the nations set against him on every side from the provinces, and spread their net over him: he was taken in their pit. 9 And they put him in ward in chains, and brought him to the king of Babylon: they brought him into holds, that his voice should no more be heard upon the mountains of Israel.

In verses 6 and 7 we learn that Jehoiachin had a terrible reputation for killing people.

It is certain that many of the Godly advisors to King Josiah were still around at the time of Jehoiachin.

These men would not have agreed with the direction that Jehoiachin and his father had taken the country.

Some may have even had the courage to stand up to the young king.

Any man who dared to cross this “young lion” seeking to subjugate those who opposed him soon found they had placed themselves and their families in danger.

Jehoiachin knew how to silence even the most influential men who still held position and sway with the people.

No one was safe from his wrath.

Men who thought they were protected by their position, soon found that safety stripped away.

Not only would Jehoiachin kill his opponents, but verse 7 informs us that he would then misuse and abuse the widows of the men that he murdered.

These widows were the treasured palaces of their husband.

Yet, because of their husband’s stand for right, they lost everything.

Because of his wickedness Ezekiel recalls the state of Judah at the time of Nebuchadnezzar’s attack.

The land was desolate.

The land was filled with noise of his roaring.

If any king deserved to languish away his years in the filth of a Babylonian prison, it was Jehoiachin.

The man was an immoral, murderous coward.

He spent his three months as king killing and abusing his people.

When it came time to fulfill his duty to protect his people, he surrendered himself, and opened the doors of his city to one of the cruelest men in history.

Words cannot fully express the filth and scum that was Jehoiachin.

His fall and imprisonment were beyond deserved.

However, Jehoiachin’s story does not end in a Babylonian prison.

In one of the most baffling turn of events that I have ever read in the Bible, there is one final episode in Jehoiachin’s life that demands consideration.

If you would go back to 2 Kings, and jump forward to chapter 25:27.

37 years have passed.

Jehoiachin has been in prison this entire time.

He is now 55 years old.

Nebuchadnezzar has just died.

Evil-Merodach, the son of Nebuchadnezzar is the new king of Babylon.

One of the first things he does, (literally in the first year of his reign) is to release Jehoiachin from prison.

Not only does he release the former king, but he also treats him with incredible kindness. V28

He speaks kindly to him.

He gives him new clothes to replace his prison garments.

He allows him to eat with the royal court.

Jeremiah 52 also tells us that he elevated Jehoiachin to a place of prominence above all other defeated kings in Babylon.

Finally, he ensures that Jehoiachin is given an allowance for the rest of his life.

They actually found a clay “receipt” detailing the allowance given to Jehoiachin.

It was enough for him to live quite comfortably.

What happened to so dramatically change the treatment of this wicked man?

Many have tried to explain why God caused Jehoiachin’s situation to change so dramatically.

Some have speculated that Jehoiachin must have repented in prison.

Others have posited that Daniel and the other Hebrew politicians (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego) must have lobbied for his release.

A few have even claimed that there was no reason for these events and that it was just random luck that Jehoiachin was chosen to be released.

As a believer in a sovereign God, I cannot accept that it was chance that brought Jehoiachin up out prison.

As far as I can tell, the Bible is also completely silent as to any interference or other reason to explain why Jehoiachin was released.

The only explanation is that God placed it in the king’s heart to release Jehoiachin.

But why? This baffled me when I read it.

There must be some explanation for why God would act on behalf of such a wicked sinner.

We have no record anywhere in scripture of Jehoiachin ever doing anything to earn God’s favor.

How do we explain God’s unmerited favor on behalf of an undeserving sinner?

One word…grace.

I believe, that Jehoiachin’s story is recorded to illustrate the wonder of God’s amazing grace bestowed on one who did nothing to deserve it.

A wicked sinner who received favorable treatment that he did not deserve.

Why does this sound familiar?

Well I don’t believe it’s a stretch to say that Jehoiachin’s story is the story of every born again believer in this room.

Today, I believe it’s imperative that we each see ourselves in the story of Jehoiachin.

First off, I must realize that I am every bit the sinner that Jehoiachin was.

Jehoiachin proved he deserved his situation.

Even if we just look at the two sins that Ezekiel spoke about, then most of us would have to declare ourselves guilty.

You say, hold up, I’ve never killed anyone and I’ve never committed the type of gross immorality that he did.

But, doesn’t 1Jn 3:15 say, “Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer?”

And didn’t Jesus say in Mat 5:28, “But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.”

Now I don’t know about you, but I know that I’ve hated my brother and I’ve had lust in my heart.

In God’s eyes, I am just as big a sinner as Jehoiachin.

Jehoiachin was powerless, in that prison, to change his situation.

He couldn’t power his way out.

He couldn’t pay his way out.

Sounds similar to our plight.

We can not work for our salvation.

We can not purchase our salvation.

Which is why I am pleased to inform you that we have been offered the same grace that Jehoiachin was offered.

He was offered a pardon from his punishment.

Just as Christ offers us a pardon from our sins.

Now, Jehoiachin could have refused the kings offer of freedom.

Just as we can refuse God’s offer of salvation.

As foolish as it would be for us to refuse God’s offer of grace to us.

He was given new clothes.

Prison garments are gone, new robes are worn.

Our sin stained garments can be exchanged for robes of righteousness.

He was allowed to eat at the kings table.

I can’t help but equate this to the great privilege we have as Christians to eat at our King’s table.

We enjoy the spiritual food that He has prepared for us.

He was looked after by one that was greater than he.

Is it not clear from scripture that God looks after and provides for His children.

The birds do not farm, but they are fed.

The flowers do not spin, but they are clothed.

How much more special are we to our Savior?

We have been treated favorably, though we did not deserve it, by our gracious God.

There are two requests that I would make of you today.

Number one, if you are not saved, you have never received God’s free pardon from your sin, then, this morning, why don’t you come down to this altar and find out how you can know for sure that your sins are forgiven.

God’s pardon is offered to every man, but many have refused Him.

Why would you remain a prisoner, when you could be free?

Jehoiachin was an awful wicked sinner, yet God was gracious to him, and He will be to you too. He has promised to.

The second request I would make this morning, is for those who have experienced the grace of God. And it’s this, don’t keep it to yourself.

You’ve been released, you’ve been made free. Now, it’s time to tell others how they can be free too.

John Newton gave us the quote at the beginning of our message. If any man knew the wonder of God’s grace it was he.

John Newton took the grace he received and shared with millions through his life, his sermons, and his songs (which still touch the lives of millions today).

What are you going to do with God’s grace in your life?