Links for today’s readings:
Sep 25 Read: Jeremiah 52 Listen: (5:49) Read: 2 Corinthians 11 Listen: (4:46)
Links for this weekend’s readings:
Sep 26 Read: Lamentations 1 Listen: (4:44) Read: 2 Corinthians 12 Listen: (3:54)
Sep 27 Read: Lamentations 2 Listen: (4:55) Read: 2 Corinthians 13 Listen: (2:19)
Scripture Focus: Jeremiah 52.31-34
31 In the thirty-seventh year of the exile of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the year Awel-Marduk became king of Babylon, on the twenty-fifth day of the twelfth month, he released Jehoiachin king of Judah and freed him from prison. 32 He spoke kindly to him and gave him a seat of honor higher than those of the other kings who were with him in Babylon. 33 So Jehoiachin put aside his prison clothes and for the rest of his life ate regularly at the king’s table. 34 Day by day the king of Babylon gave Jehoiachin a regular allowance as long as he lived, till the day of his death.
Reflection: Of Rings and Kings
By John Tillman
Jeremiah, the weeping prophet, ends on a note of hope.
Jehoiachin was one of Judah’s last wicked kings. Jeremiah prophesied about Jehoiachin, that even if he was a valuable signet ring on God’s hand, he would still be removed and thrown away (Jer 22.24). He also prophesied that Jehoiachin’s children would not prosper or sit on David’s throne (Jer 22.30). After three months, Jehoiachin was defeated, captured, taken into captivity, and thrown in prison. The “signet ring” was discarded (2 Kings 24.8-12).
Jehoiachin deserved his suffering. “He did evil in the eyes of the Lord.” (2 Kings 24.9) He, his father, and grandfather, “filled Jerusalem with innocent blood.” (2 Kings 24.4) Entire nations suffer under corrupt leaders like Jehoiachin. This is true militarily and economically, but it is also true spiritually. A leader’s character affects the character of (and the consequences faced by) whatever they lead, whether it is a nation, business, team, or family.
However, there are signs of hope.
The first is from Jeremiah. After 37 years, Babylon’s king released Jehoiachin from prison. Not only that, the king treated Jehoiachin kindly, had him eat at his table at a place of honor, and provided for him for the rest of his life. This could imply that something changed in Jehoiachin’s heart and God responded.
Later, another prophet, Haggai, spoke to Jehoiachin’s grandson, Zerubbabel. Haggai reused Jeremiah’s image of the signet ring. He told Zerubbabel that God would make him a signet ring to restore order and prosperity to Jerusalem during the rebuilding of the wall and temple (Hag 2.23).
Even though Jehoiachin’s line was once cursed, God still used him to bless the world through Jesus. Matthew records Jesus’ legal lineage passing through both the discarded signet ring of Jehoiachin and the restored signet ring of Zerubbabel (Matt 1.11-12). Jehoiachin’s descendant sits on David’s throne today.
This is comforting for us when we feel discarded, lost, or cursed. Not all sufferings are punishments and sometimes we suffer due to other people’s choices. (Particularly leaders’ choices.) However, no matter if you are facing consequences of your own actions or someone else’s, if there is hope for Jehoiachin, there is hope for us.
God’s plans in every age often come down to a small group of people, or even one person, changing their hearts and choosing repentance. You can be that one. You can join or start that group. We, the church, can be like a restored “signet ring.”
Divine Hours Prayer: The Refrain for the Morning Lessons
I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me out of all my terror. — Psalm 34.4
– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summertime by Phyllis Tickle.
Readers’ Choice is Coming!
Readers’ Choice is when we ask you to share your favorite Park Forum posts from this year.
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Read more: Beyond Second Chances
Scripture is full of second chances, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh chances, and beyond.
