THE CHOICE IS YOURS
Friday, 23rd September 2016
2 Chronicles 36 (NKJV)
Then the people of the land took Jehoahaz the son of Josiah, and made him king in his father’s place in Jerusalem. 2Jehoahaz was twenty-three years old when he became king, and he reigned three months in Jerusalem. 3Now the king of Egypt deposed him at Jerusalem; and he imposed on the land a tribute of one hundred talents of silver and a talent of gold. 4Then the king of Egypt made Jehoahaz’s brother Eliakim king over Judah and Jerusalem, and changed his name to Jehoiakim. And Necho took Jehoahaz his brother and carried him off to Egypt. 5Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And he did evil in the sight of the Lord his God. 6Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up against him, and bound him in bronze fetters to carry him off to Babylon.7Nebuchadnezzar also carried off some of the articles from the house of the Lord to Babylon, and put them in his temple at Babylon. 8Now the rest of the acts of Jehoiakim, the abominations which he did, and what was found against him, indeed they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah. Then Jehoiachin his son reigned in his place. 9Jehoiachin was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months and ten days. And he did evil in the sight of the Lord.10At the turn of the year King Nebuchadnezzar summoned him and took him to Babylon, with the costly articles from the house of the Lord, and made Zedekiah, Jehoiakim’s brother, king over Judah and Jerusalem. 11Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. 12He did evil in the sight of the Lord his God, and did not humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet, who spoke from the mouth of the Lord. 13And he also rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear an oath by God; but he stiffened his neck and hardened his heart against turning to the Lord God of Israel.14Moreover all the leaders of the priests and the people transgressed more and more, according to all the abominations of the nations, and defiled the house of the Lord which He had consecrated in Jerusalem. 15And the Lord God of their fathers sent warnings to them by His messengers, rising up early and sending them, because He had compassion on His people and on His dwelling place. 16But they mocked the messengers of God, despised His words, and scoffed at His prophets, until the wrath of theLord arose against His people, till there was no remedy. …
Today’s reading chronicles how Jehoahaz and all his three successors suffered exile. What is quite disturbing, however, is that each of all the successors mentioned, did evil in the eyes of the Lord and was subjected to exile. It is unfortunate that even today most of us do not learn from others’ mistakes. Jer. 6: 16, says:” stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths where the good way is, and walk in it ….” We need to study the different ways of life people had followed and know where it led them before joining the same way. Check those who took the way of cultism, prostitution, stealing, and other wicked acts where they are today.
v. 23 shows that Cyrus, a heathen king, was chosen by God to fulfil His will. God can use any person to achieve His purposes. It is in your best interest to disengage from evil ways and join the good path. No matter how far you have gone in the wrong direction, you can still turn back. The choice is yours.
Prayer: Help me oh Lord not to follow the path of destruction.