Zedekiah-the Irresolute

by J.C. RADCLIFFE | Category: Pithy Points From The Lives Of Judah's Kings | Dec 1932

"And he did that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah his God; he humbled not himself before Jeremiah the prophet speaking from the mouth of Jehovah. And he also rebelled against king Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God" (2 Chronicles 36. 12, 13).

Before dwelling on the reign of Zedekiah, we had better perhaps say a few words on Jehoiachin. He reigned for only three months and ten days, and there is little of any importance to relate concerning him. Of him we read---like all the successors of Josiah, "he did that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah." He was the only one of the four last kings of Judah who was not a son of Josiah. It might also be noticed that in 2 Chronicles 36. 9., his age is given as eight, when he ascended the throne, whereas in 2 Kings 24. 8, we read that he was eighteen when he began to reign. It is apparent that the latter is the correct age (and 18 was no doubt, the reading in the inspired original of 2 Chronicles 36. 9). He is named Coniah, in Jeremiah 22., and all that is said concerning him there could not be properly said of a boy of eight.

Again, there may be an apparent difficulty in 2 Chronicles 36. 10, where we read that Nebuchadnezzar brought him to Babylon, and made Zedekiah his brother king over Judah and Jerusalem.

The word brother here, must be used in the same sense as of a relative close of kin.

We are told plainly in 2 Kings 24. 17 that the king of Babylon made Mattaniah, his father's brother, king in his stead, and changed his name to Zedekiah (Zedekiah means "righteousness of Jah." This seems to suggest that Nebuchadnezzar may have treated Zedekiah kindly, as well as the name constantly reminding him of the oath of allegiance). This is confirmed by the fact that Jehoahaz who came to the throne on the death of Josiah, is also said to have the same mother, Hamutal the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah. (See 2 Kings 24. 18). From this we are given to understand that no less than three of the sons of Josiah ascended the throne. This is quite exceptional in the lives of the kings of Judah.

It may appear to some that it is not a little remarkable that all the sons of such a good father should turn out so disreputably. It is not the first time that we have been confronted with this rather difficult problem, in our contemplation of those kings, but seeing we have dwelt upon this matter at some length before, we shall pass it over now.

This is indeed a very sad period in the history of God's ancient people: the closing of the period known as the "Monarchy."

It may not be always remembered that at this very time Daniel was in Babylon-and it would be interesting to know how far events as recorded in the book that bears his name had already taken place. We read that Daniel also was of the "seed royal." What a contrast was Daniel to the miserable irresolute king now under our consideration!

It is recorded of Daniel that he purposed in his heart. Not much of purpose of heart in Zedekiah, except purpose of heart to sin against Jehovah, and purpose to save his own skin. It might be said of Zedekiah as of another long before-"unstable as water, thou shalt not excel"; and we think of words in the 119th Psalm-" I hate them that are of a double mind "-or as some render-" I hate fluctuating opinions." The scripture heading our paper tells us that it was Jeremiah the prophet, whom God used in bringing His word before Zedekiah -what a wonderful expression that-" from the mouth of Jehovah ! " Let us give a few references to the use of this marvellous expression, and if any readers have any misgivings or hazy ideas as to the full inspiration of the Scriptures, we feel convinced that any candid seeker after the truth of God will never be troubled again by such misgivings. In the case of the Gibeonites, we are told that the men of Israel" asked not counsel at the mouth of Jehovah" (Joshua 9. 14). Of the disobedient prophet it is said, "Thou hast been disobedient unto the mouth of Jehovah" (1 Kings 13. 21). It is written concerning Josiah that he hearkened not unto the words of Neco from the mouth of God. Three times in the book of Isaiah we read "The mouth of Jehovah bath spoken it." Also the words implying the same, "My mouth"-that is, the mouth of God. In Jeremiah also we read the same words "The mouth of Jehovah."

Again in that sublime Psalm 119. we read, "Thy mouth" (referring to God) three times.

"Judgements of Thy mouth."

"The law of Thy mouth."

"Testimonies of Thy mouth."

In Micah 4. 4, we read, "The mouth of Jehovah of hosts hath spoken it." And lastly we have the words of the Lord Jesus, quoting from Deuteronomy 8. 3, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." Verily

GOD HATH SPOKEN.

"Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things that were heard, lest haply we drift away from them. For if the word spoken through angels proved stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; how shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation? which having at the first been spoken through the Lord, was confirmed unto us by those that heard" (Hebrews 2. 1-4). "God hath spoken unto us in His Son" (Hebrews 1.2). "HEAR YE HIM."

We are told that Nebuchadnezzar made Zedekiah swear (that is swear allegiance) by God (2 Chronicles 36. 13). And in Ezekiel 17. this is enlarged upon, "And he took of the seed royal, and made a covenant with him; he also brought him under an oath." Much of the book of Jeremiah is taken up with incidents touching upon the treachery of Zedekiah, and rebellion against his liege lord. Notwithstanding the oft repeated rebukes and warnings from Jeremiah, Zedekiah remained obdurate and intractable.

We read in Ezekiel 17. 15, "But he rebelled against him in sending his ambassadors into Egypt that they might give him horses and much people." "He hath despised the oath by breaking the covenant" (verse 18). "Therefore thus saith the Lord God: as I live, surely mine oath that he hath despised, and my covenant that he hath broken, I will even bring it upon his own head" (verse 19).

One of the things descriptive of those who refuse to have God in their knowledge, is "covenant-breakers" (see Romans 1. 28-31). Covenant breaking is a very hateful sin in the sight of God. How suggestive of the character of the present time! How lightly men to-day regard their covenants and promises-whether it be from the standpoint of nations or individuals! That great world-ruler who is yet to be revealed, will make a solemn covenant for one week of years, with God's ancient people, but in the midst of the years he will cause the sacrifice and oblations to cease (see Daniel 9. 27), bringing in a time of tribulation upon the earth such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time. "Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it : it is even the time of Jacob's trouble (Jeremiah 30. 7). "A day." How good to know that it will be for a very brief period only.

Then comes the glorious king-Immanuel-who will make with them (His ancient people) an everlasting covenant, and sure,

Jesus shall reign where'er the sun

Doth His successive journeys run;

His kingdom stretch from shore to shore,

Till moons shall wax and wane no more.

In following the closing days of the sad reign of Zedekiah, as well as the closing days of the monarchy, we can but touch on a few salient points.

From Jeremiah 27. (note R.V. margin, verse 1), we understand that ambassadors were sent from adjacent countries named in verse 3, to Zedekiah, inciting him to break the league with Nebuchadnezzar; but the word of Jeremiah from Jehovah is that these lands are given by God into the hand of the " king of Babylon, My servant "(see verses 6, 7). This was about the fourth year of Zedekiah's reign (Josephus says that he actually leagued with Egypt in treacherous violation of his compact with Nebuchadnezzar). Zedekiah fell a ready prey into the hands of the false prophets brought before us. Hananiah is especially conspicuous in playing an evil part in this matter, but as we see in the sequel it was unto his undoing.

From Jeremiah 51. 59, it would seem that Zedekiah went to Babylon to interview Nebuchadnezzar-possibly to allay any suspicion that Nebuchadnezzar might have had of his treachery.

We read in Jeremiah 37. that Pharaoh's army actually came out of Egypt to help Zedekiah, and that by reason of this the Chaldeans that beseiged Jerusalem broke up from the city. The word of Jehovah, however, is, that the Chaldeans shall come again and fight against Jerusalem: and they shall take it, and burn it with fire (verse 8).

While the issue was still undecided, Zedekiah sent to Jeremiah saying, "Pray now unto Jehovah our God for us." And then follows a most interesting, though sad part of inspired history, showing up Zedekiah in a very bad light indeed, as weak, vacillating and cowardly. At one time apparently being disposed to side with Jeremiah, and at another time, fearing to displease the princes, influenced against him. "Behold, he is in your hand: for the king is not he that can do anything against you" (Jeremiah 38. 5).

Then in the same chapter we read the story of Ebed-Melech the Ethiopian (for God has mercy even toward Ham-on whom a curse was pronounced in Genesis 9. 25). His mercy is rich toward all-even as in a later day He sent Philip to speak the good-tidings to the Ethiopian eunuch (see Acts 8. 6). Ebed Melech pleaded for Jeremiah unto the king; for they had put Jeremiah in a dungeon and he was in sore straits and ready to die. Then the king commanded Ebed-Melech saying, take "thirty men with thee, and take up Jeremiah the prophet out of the dungeon, before he die."

After this Zedekiah consults with Jeremiah, but surreptitiously because he was afraid of the princes, as we read in verse 24, "Then said Zedekiah unto Jeremiah, let no man know of these words, and thou shalt not die"; for Jeremiah had told him from the Lord that if he went forth to the king of Babylon it would be well with him. But Zedekiah, notwithstanding all the warnings and entreaties of Jeremiah, remained obdurate. Zedekiah seems to have been completely in the hands of the wicked men about him.

The terrible concomitants of a siege soon followed: then came to pass that which was spoken by the Lord through the prophets-"Behold, I bring such evil upon Jerusalem and Judah, that whosoever heareth of it, both his ears shall tingle... and I will wipe Jerusalem as a man wipeth a dish, wiping it

and turning it upside down." "Because of all the provocations that Manasseh had provoked Him withal" (See 2 Kings 21. 10 to 15; and 23. 26, 27).

We close with a remarkable prophecy concerning Zedekiah. In Ezekiel 12. 13, we read, "My net also will I spread upon him, and he shall be taken in my snare: and I will bring him to Babylon to the land of the Chaldeans; yet shall he not see it, though he shall die there." How literally this was fulfilled we see from 2 Kings 25. 6, 7.

Prophecy is one of the outstanding features unique to the Word of God, for no one but the Omniscient and All-Wise knows what shall take place in the future-even in the next moment. God makes a special appeal to fulfilled prophecy as the sign-manual of the veracity of His word.

"Let them bring them forth, and declare unto us what shall happen... or show us things for to come. Declare the things that are to come hereafter, that we may know that ye are gods" (Isaiah 41. 22, 23). See also many other scriptures onwards to the 48th chapter of Isaiah. Read also John 13. 19; 14. 29; 16. 4, in this connection.

J.C. RADCLIFFE | Dec 1932
Pithy Points From The Lives Of Judah's Kings