Jeremiah 22:24-30 – Choose wisely, there is a consequence for every choice.

The prophecy of Jeremiah made in chapter 22 verses 24-30 concerns  Jehoiachin, who was also known as Jeconiah or Coniah. He was made the king of Judah at the death of his father Jehoiakim. The message to him was that he would a very short reign. In fact, he only warmed the throne for three months. God declared assertedly in verse 24 that He was going to take him off the throne. He would be giving him into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, the enemy whom he most feared.  Along with him, God would also send the other members of his family and the leading citizens of Jerusalem into captivity. God also said that Jehoiachin would never return to see his native land again. In other words, he would die in a foreign land. Though we are told in 2 Chronicles 3:17-18 that he had at least seven children, yet God said that it would be as if he was childless. None of his descendants would ever sit on the throne of David and rule Judah.  

Second Kings 24:10-16 gives us some details of how this prophecy came to pass. Verse 12 has this to say, “Jehoiachin the king of Judah went out to the king of Babylon, he and his mother and his servants and his captains and his officials. So the king of Babylon took him captive in the eighth year of his reign.” This took place in the second siege that Babylon undertook on Jerusalem. Second Kings 24:15-16 enumerated the number of people whom Nebuchadnezzar carried into exile in Babylon. Besides, Jehoiachin, the list included his mother, his wives, and officials, the leading and best men of the land. The people that went with him as captives to Babylon totaled 7,000 men of valor, 1,000 craftsmen and smiths, and 1,000 strong men, who were fit for war.

Second Kings 25:27-30 provide us with some detail on the later phase of his life. After being in captivity for 36 years his fortune changed in the 37^th year. No reason was given but we are told that Evil-Merodach, the son of Nebuchadnezzar, who succeeded his father on the throne released him from prison and showed him kindness. He was treated kindly and even given a higher position than kings of other nations whom Nebuchadnezzar had taken captives along with Jehoiachin. Verse 29 tells us that his prison clothes were changed, and he was allotted a place to dine with Evil-Merodach regularly all the days of his life. The king even apportioned a daily allowance to Jehoiachin for each day of his life.

Second Chronicles 36:9 had this to say of Jehoiachin. “Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he became king, and he reigned for three months and ten days in Jerusalem. He did evil in the sight of the Lord.” This would be the clearest reason for all the ills that had befallen him. Jeremiah’s messages to the sons and grandson of Josiah all centered around doom.  Why? because of the pattern of evil that each had shown. Being descendants of Josiah, they all would have had the opportunity to walk in Josiah’s footsteps, but they didn’t. They have all chosen to walk contrary to him. Their lives show us that we can choose the way we want to walk but we can never avoid the consequence of our choice. Whatever choice we make the consequence will follow.  So we need to choose wisely in life. Emulate Joshua – “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!”  Will you?