2 Kings 25:22-26 – Yielding to God’s will

So far we have seen Jerusalem devastated, the temple dismantled and looted and the people carried into exile in Babylon. Second Kings 25:12 tells us that Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard left behind the poorest of the land who were tillers of ground and plowmen, all agricultural people. Second Kings 25:22-26 narrate what happened to the remnant that was left behind in Judah. Not many details have been given in this passage, but in Jeremiah chapter 40, more details are given. There, we are told that Jeremiah the prophet was shown grace by the Nebuzaradan. He was given the choice of whether he would go with him to Babylon or remain behind. As Jeremiah chose to remain behind, he was told to go to Gedaliah, whom Nebuchadnezzar had appointed as governor to take charge of them.

Gedaliah made Mizpah, a place near Jerusalem his residence. And 2 Kings 25:23 said that another group of people came to the governor. The group comprised the four captains of Judah’s forces, namely Ishmael, Johanan, Seraiah, and Jaazaniah, and their men came to the governor. The total number was not disclosed. We surmise that they must have hidden in the field and escaped the notice of Nebuzaradan. When they heard that Gedaliah was made the governor by Nebuchadnezzar, they came to him at Mizpah. The governor did not betray them but instead advised them to be good citizens and serve the king of Babylon.

In 2 Kings 25:25, we are told that Ishmael, one of those four captains came with ten men and assassinated Gedaliah. They not only killed the governor but also some Jews and Babylonians who were with him. After assassinating the governor, verse 26 said, “all the people, both small and great, and the captains of the forces arose and went to Egypt; for they were afraid of the Chaldeans.”

If we follow the writing of Jeremiah, we will see that he vehemently objected to them deflecting to trust Egypt. His counsel was for them to accept God’s will for them to go through the judgment brought upon them by God for their covenant unfaithfulness. They did not heed his word but instead tortured him. For more go read the book of Jeremiah. Suffice to say that it’s pointless to fight against God’s will. When part of God’s design is to straighten us, we must yield to it even if it means enduring times of difficulties. So take heed to the word of James 1: 2-4. We must learn to see trials as God’s refining process in life. God uses them to test our faith to bring the best out of us. Trail endured will forge in us godly character to mature and complete us.