GRACE SHOWN TO JEHOIACHIN
“…Evil-merodach, king of Babylon, in the year he became king, released Jehoiachin king of Judah from prison.” II Kings 25:27.
Grace has been defined as “unmerited favor”. In human association, we have no greater example of grace than that shown to Jehoiachin.
I. JEHOIACHIN WAS EVIL IN ALL HIS WAYS.
“He did evil in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father Jehoiakim had done.” II Kings 24:9. (Read II Kings 24: 4).
II. GOD ALLOWED NEBUCHADNEZZAR TO CONQUER JUDAH.
The sin of Jehoiachin and the people of Judah had severe consequences.
Judah was conquered and all but the poorest and infirm were taken captive to Babylon and Jehoiachin was put in imprisoned there. We must never forget that a man’s sin affects others well beyond himself.
The temple was stripped of its holy vessels and ultimately the city of Jerusalem burned with fire (II Kings 25:9-10).
III. AFTER 37 YEARS JEHOIACHIN WAS SET FREE.
A new king graciously dealt with Jehoiachin. (II Kings 25:27).
He released him from prison (Jehoiachin was set free.)
He comforted him: “and he spoke kindly to him” (25:28a).
He gave him great authority: “set his throne above the throne of the kings who were with him in Babylon.” (25:28b).
He clothed him with new apparel: “Jehoiachin changed his clothes…” (25:29a).
He honored him as a part of the king’s family: “and Jehoiachin had his meals in the king’s presence regularly all the days of his life.” (25:29b).
He supplied Jehoiachin’s needs as long as he lived. “A regular allowance was given him by the king for each day, all the days of his life.” (25:30).
IV. A SPIRITUAL PARALLEL.
God sets the believer free from the penalty of sin: (Romans 8:2).
God comforts the believer: (II Corinthians 1:3-4).
God gives the believer great authority: (John 1:12).
God clothes us with the garment of righteousness: (Revelation 3:18).
God has brought us into His family: (Romans 8:14-17).
God supplies our need throughout our life: (Philippians 4:19).
PRIMARY SCRIPTURES USED WITH THIS OUTLINE
II Kings 24:8-16 NASB
8 Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he became king, and he reigned three months in Jerusalem; and his mother’s name was Nehushta the daughter of Elnathan of Jerusalem. 9 He did evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father had done. 10 At that time the servants of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon went up to Jerusalem, and the city came under siege. 11 And Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon came to the city, while his servants were besieging it. 12 Jehoiachin the king of Judah went out to the king of Babylon, he and his mother and his servants and his captains and his officials. So the king of Babylon took him captive in the eighth year of his reign. 13 He carried out from there all the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king’s house, and cut in pieces all the vessels of gold which Solomon king of Israel had made in the temple of the LORD, just as the LORD had said. 14 Then he led away into exile all Jerusalem and all the captains and all the mighty men of valor, ten thousand captives, and all the craftsmen and the smiths. None remained except the poorest people of the land. 15 So he led Jehoiachin away into exile to Babylon; also the king’s mother and the king’s wives and his officials and the leading men of the land, he led away into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon. 16 All the men of valor, seven thousand, and the craftsmen and the smiths, one thousand, all strong and fit for war, and these the king of Babylon brought into exile to Babylon.
II Kings 25:27-30
. 27 Now it came about 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, that Evil-merodach king of Babylon, in the year that he became king, released Jehoiachin king of Judah from prison; 28 and he spoke kindly to him and set his throne above the throne of the kings who were with him in Babylon. 29 Jehoiachin changed his prison clothes and had his meals in the king’s presence regularly all the days of his life; 30 and for his allowance, a regular allowance was given him by the king, a portion for each day, all the days of his life.
Romans 8:2 "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death."
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."
John 1:12 "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,"
Revelation 3:18 "I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself…"
Romans 8:14-17 "For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!" 16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him."
Philippians 4:19 "And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus."
