Zedekiah was made a puppet king of Judah by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord (2Ki 17:24). He was preceded by three other kings, all of whom also did evil in the eyes of the Lord. Shallum (Jehoahaz) was taken into Egypt by Pharaoh Necho and he died there. Next, Shallum's son, Jehoiakim, also did evil in the eyes of the Lord. He refused to recognize the Lord; nor did he heed the warnings of what happened to his father. He died in Jerusalem during the Babylonian invasion. No one mourned him when he died. His son, Jehoiachin, also did evil in the eyes of the Lord. He was carried off to Babylon and died there.

King Zedekiah had ample warning. He had the examples of his predecessors. He had been warned by Jeremiah to "do what is right." He was to turn away from unrighteousness and injustice. He was to do what was right and just-to defend the cause of the poor and needy, just as King David had done. We learn that is what it means to know God. Instead, Zedekiah was only set on dishonest gain, bloodshed, oppression and extortion.


Application: Father, it is so easy to chase after the things in this life. May I not forget about you, and may I do what is just and right, defending the cause of the poor and needy. In this, may I come to know you.
One Word: Do what is just and right; come to know God