Gracious Liberation

The book of Jeremiah is typically thought of as a rather sad and depressing collection of prophecies. In fact, Jeremiah himself has an established reputation for being a "weeping prophet." Although much of the book is filled with frustrating accounts of the stubbornness of the Jews and the harshness of God's coming judgment, the messages of Jeremiah end on an encouraging note of hope.

In Jeremiah 52.31-34, we're told a very interesting little story. When King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon died and his son (Evil-Merodach) took the throne, the new king chose to show kindness to a man that his father had imprisoned 37 years earlier. He freed the former King of Judah, Jehoiachin, from his jail cell. He gave him nice clothing to wear, a regular allowance for his daily needs, and a permanent seat at the King's table.

Who was Jehoiachin? Did he deserve such generous treatment? Although he was the grandson of the righteous King Josiah who followed God with his whole heart, Jehoiachin followed the footsteps of his evil father. In the brief summary of his kingship (2 Kings 24.8-17, 2 Chronicles 36.9-10), we're told that he reigned only three months before Nebuchadnezzar swooped into Jerusalem and took him back to Babylon. The imprisonment that followed was a just punishment for his evil heart and sinful leadership. Nevertheless, he was shown mercy!

Originally, this story was written into Jeremiah as a way of encouraging the Jews who were discouraged about their exile and destruction. After so many lengthy passages that promised God's separation from the Jews because of their idolatry and unfaithfulness, God wanted to reassure the Jewish people that he had not forgotten about them. There was hope for the future. Grace was coming. After 70 years of exile in Babylon, God promised to free them and lead them back to their own land (Jeremiah 29. 10).

So what's the impact of this story on our own lives? Like Jehoiachin, all of us found ourselves imprisoned in sin by our own evil choices, condemned under God's law (Galatians 3.23). Through God's Son, however, we've been shown grace and handed the opportunity to be released from our bondage! Jesus himself once said in Luke 4.18 that God had specifically sent him to "proclaim liberty to the captives." As a result of our Lord's graciousness, someday we'll get to change our clothing as Jehoiachin changed his - "For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality" as Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15.33. We'll also get to dine at the our King's table, just as Jehoiachin dined at the table of Evil-merodach (Matthew 26.29, Revelation 19.9). The message from this story is clear: from death, destruction, and discouragement, God has the incredible power to resurrect, redeem, and renew us. As we wait for the final day when God will make all things new, may our daily prayers and earnest desires concentrate on these glorious thoughts. May God bless you all in your lives this week. Nathan