Daybreak: 2 Kings 25:1-30

Second Kings, 25, 1 through 30.

Devotional focus first, and Gidewaya swore to them, and to their men and said unto them,

fear not to be the servants of the Caldys, dwell in the land, and serve the king of Babylon,

and it shall be well with you. Second Kings, 25, 24.

There can be tremendous blessing in words of encouragement. In 1937, tragic news reached

Oswald Smith, a young pastor and songwriter in Toronto, Canada. His brother-in-law Clifford,

a missionary in Peru, had been instantly killed in a car accident just as he and his family were

preparing to return home on their first furrow. Oswald's youngest sister, Ruth,

thousands of miles from her homeland and only 26 years old, was left alone to raise their two

little boys. Longing to offer encouragement in his sister's time of great need, Oswald penned the

words of a poem. God understands your sorrow. He sees the falling tear, and whispers, I am with thee,

then falter not, nor fear. God understands your heartache. He knows the bitter pain,

oh, trust him in the darkness. You cannot trust in vain. God understands your longing,

your deepest grief he shares. Then let him bear your burden. He understands and cares.

Oswald gave the poem to B.D. Ackley, who said it to music, and then sent the song to his sister.

What a comfort it was to her. She cried as she sang the message from her brother,

but its words ministered to her heart, and in the years since it was written, the hymn,

God understands, has brought encouragement to many who have faced grief and trials.

Today's focus verse is another message of encouragement given in a time of great need,

and assurance to the devastated Remnant and Judah from Gidewaya. The governor,

Nepikameser, had appointed. A friend of the Prophet Jeremiah Gidewaya was telling the people of Judah,

you have no reason to fear further trouble. If you continue peaceably in the land, no harm will

befall you. The earthly kingdom of Judah had been demolished, but God was still willing to keep

his spiritual kingdom alive in the hearts of the exiles if they would look his way for strength

and comfort in time of need. That is still true today. No matter what circumstances we find ourselves

in, we can always be assured that God sees and cares about what is happening in our lives.

As we accept difficult circumstances, things we cannot control, and keep trusting him,

he will watch over us and bring us strength, comfort, and encouragement in our hour of need.

Background information. This chapter records the final siege, famine, and ultimate fall of Jerusalem,

the result of Judah's rebellion against God in spite of his repeated offers of mercy.

In 597 BC, in the second of three invasions, King Nepikameser had accepted the surrender of King

Jochen and his royal household and spared the city of Jerusalem. At that time, the King and all

notables of Jerusalem were deported to Babylon. Nepikameser appointed King Jochen's brother,

Madinaya, to be King over Jerusalem and changed his name to Zedakaya. Zedakaya had an evil 11-year

reign, culminating in a rebellion against Babylon that precipitated the final overthrow of Judah,

which is described in this chapter. After a siege of many months, the city was broken up.

Zedakaya and his men of war fled the city, but were pursued by the Babylonians and captured.

The King's sons were slain before his eyes, and he was blinded and then carried in chains to Babylon.

The temple was destroyed, the walls of the city were broken down,

and all but a few of the people were carried away captive.

After Jerusalem's fall, Nepikameser appointed Gidewaya to govern Judah. Gidewaya was from a notable

family. His father had influenced Jochen to save Jeremiah from death,

C. Jeremiah 26-24, and his grandfather, Shafan, had been secretary to Josiah and had figured

prominently in the King's efforts to turn Judah back to God. C. Second King's 22.

Gidewaya himself returned to a broken hearted Jeremiah back to his home after the fall of Jerusalem.

C. Jeremiah 39-14. He offered a message of encouragement to the remnant left in Judah,

promising them support and protection if they would simply dwell in the land and serve the

King of Babylon. However, he was assassinated by Ishmael, one of Judah's remaining captains who

believed that the Jews should migrate to Egypt. The remaining Judeans fled to Egypt and took Jeremiah

with them. In Babylon, 37 years after Jochen's surrender, the new King of Babylon,

evil Maridok, graciously released Jochen from prison and elevated him to a prominent position.

He was given new garments and daily rations of food. Babylonian records had been found listing

the rations of prisoners and foreigners residing in Babylon, and Jochen was one who was specifically

named and historic validation of this biblical account. Conclusion

God sees and cares about the circumstances of our lives, and he will see us through whatever

challenges come our way.