Jeremiah 21 - 22
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INTRODUCTION
The 4 Kings of Judah lived like most do today. They lived life as they pleased and created chaos because of it. They weren't willing to turn from their wickedness.
Josiah was the only good king. The kings that followed were evil in the sight of the Lord. Each one was worse than the last. It was all downhill after Josiah's reign. Eventually Judah was taken into captivity by Babylon and remained there for 70 years.
I. (Chapter 21) King Zedekiah was the king who reigned right before Jerusalem was taken captive by the Babylonians. For 30 months the Babylonians gathered around Jerusalem. The false prophets told King Zedekiah that all would be well. Then Zedekiah decided to do something spiritual, so he asked Jeremiah the prophet to "Inquire now of the LORD for us because Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon is attacking us. Perhaps the LORD will perform wonders for us as in times past so that he will withdraw from us."
A. How did Jeremiah respond in verse 3 of Chapter 21? Was this a gutsy thing to do?
B. What did God tell Habakkuk that he was going to do and why? Is it safe being one of God's people?
C. God used the Babylonians to cause his people to turn to him. Is God using a trial in your life to bring you back to him?
D. Refer to Deuteronomy 28 - 30. God spells out the blessings of living an obedient life and the curses of a disobedient life. What are the consequences of living a disobedient life?
E. Jesus said “He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters." Are you neutral in your decision for Christ? To be undecided is to be against Him.
F. The city of Jerusalem considered themselves impregnable. How did the Lord refer to Jerusalem in verse 13 of Chapter 21? Pride comes before destruction. Humble yourself and He will exalt you in due time.
II. (Chapter 22) Jehoahaz was the first king to succeed Josiah. He reigned 3 months before being deposed by the Egyptian king.
A. Read verse 10 "Do not weep for the dead king or mourn his loss; rather, weep bitterly for him who is exiled, because he will never return nor see his native land again." What are we being told here in this verse?
III. (Chapter 22) Jehoiakim occupied the throne for 11 years. He was able to create much chaos during his reign. He was an extravagant king who was dishonest and over taxed the people. He didn't pay his people their worth. He was the son of Josiah.
A. Read about Jehoiakim starting in verse 11 through verse 23. Was Jehoiakim a righteous king like his father?
B. How are we to know if someone belongs to Christ? Galations 5:22
C. Refer to 1 John 2:3-6. What does it mean to know God? Did Jehoiakim know God?
IV. (Chapter 22) Jehoiachin occupied the throne for 3 months and 10 days... the 100 day wonder! He too was unrighteous like the kings before him.
A. In verse 24 the Lord refers to Jehoiachin as a signet ring. What was the significance of this?
B. Refer to verse 30... This is what the LORD says: "Record this man as if childless, a man who will not prosper in his lifetime, for none of his offspring will prosper, none will sit on the throne of David or rule anymore in Judah." According to verse 30, the bloodline of King David is cursed. In Matthew we find the genealogy of Joesph and in Luke the genealogy of Mary. Joesph's genealogy tells us that he is a descendant of King David. How was God able to keep his promise and skip King David's bloodline curse and keep the legal rights of Jesus?
APPLICATION:
1. It's one thing to make a promise, it's another to keep it. Isn't it good to know that God can keep a promise and with great precision!
2. God's greatest promise was the cross. He took off his royal robes and came down to earth and called us friends.
3. Jesus said "He who is not with me is against me...", are you neutral (against Him) in your decision for Christ or are you for Him?
MEMORY VERSE - Jeremiah 22:10
10 Do not weep for the dead king or mourn his loss; rather, weep bitterly for him who is exiled, because he will never return nor see his native land again.