God Is Faithful To The End - 2 Kings 21-25

2 Kings 25:27-30 (ESV)

And in the thirty-seventh year of the exile of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, on the twenty-seventh day of the month, Evil-merodach king of Babylon, in the year that he began to reign, graciously freed Jehoiachin king of Judah from prison. And he spoke kindly to him and gave him a seat above the seats of the kings who were with him in Babylon. So Jehoiachin put off his prison garments. And every day of his life he dined regularly at the king’s table, and for his allowance, a regular allowance was given him by the king, according to his daily needs, as long as he lived.

If you have read through this entire book of 2 Kings, this epilogue of the book stands in quite a contrast.   The book is about the kings of Judah who, mostly, did acts of evil while serving as kings.   The book is giving the reasons why God had to discipline Judah and carry them off to captivity by Babylon.  It is interesting that the book returns to Jehoiachin. It is especially odd that, in the end, this evil king is honored by the King of Babylon.   It should be noted what was said about Jehoiachin, in the previous chapter:

2 Kings 24:8-9 (ESV)

Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he became king, and he reigned three months in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Nehushta the daughter of Elnathan of Jerusalem. And he did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father had done.

Despite his reputation for doing evil in the sight of the LORD, in the end, Jehoiachin is honored at the table of his foreign captor.   There is much debate about why the authors of 2 Kings go back to this and end with this.   Remember that the King of Babylon has utterly destroyed Jerusalem, Judah and all that was theirs, is gone.  He has taken all the gold and burned the Temple and the great house Solomon built for himself.  Nothing is left that is recognizable (as we see from the eyes of Nehemiah, who will later return to rebuild it all).   Judah is done.  Yet, we might be wise to remember what Samuel prophesied about the throne of David:

2 Samuel 7:15-16 (ESV)

but my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.’”

This unusual epilogue is here for our benefit. It is a reminder of God’s steadfast love and faithfulness.   Despite the evil things they did and the discipline they now must endure for 70 years, God is faithful to HIS promises.  He promised a remnant would be saved out of this mess.   This story of Jehoiachin is the first indication that God is still working with Judah and the lineage of David.   God is faithful despite our unfaithfulness.   The authors of 2 Kings knew exactly what they were doing.  They were giving hope at the end of the story. Not hope based upon man’s performance.  It is hope based upon God’s faithfulness.