Warnings Upheld
7/2/26 Bible Thought (2 Kings 24)
Main Idea: Judgment delayed is not judgment denied.
A Look at the Text:
Tragically, things changed after King Josiah was gone. A total of three of Josiah’s sons ended up reigning in Jerusalem, and all three were wicked. The first was quickly disposed of by Pharaoh Neco. The second, Jehoakim, as a vassal king, reigned in Judah. When he died, his son, Jehoiachin, reigned in Judah for a short, wicked reign as well.
With this, we see quickly that although the wrath of God was delayed in the days of Josiah (2 Kings 22:19), it wasn’t put off indefinitely. The people of Judah would still face the consequences of their sins that had been predicted in the book of God’s law.
In 2 Kings 24, then, we see King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon as God’s instrument of justice. Just as it was foretold by the prophet Habakkuk, God’s people would face judgment at the hands of the Babylonians (see Hab. 1:5-11).
Yet the biblical account is sure: it was God who sovereignly orchestrated these events. This judgment came, “at the command of the Lord” (2 Kings 24:3), the divinely inspired narrator retells.
After a brief siege, Jehoiachin surrendered to Nebuchadnezzar. The first wave of captives was taken to Babylon (which included the prophets Ezekiel and Daniel), the treasures in the house of the Lord were plundered, and all that remained was the poor of the land (2 Kings 24:14).
Bringing it Home:
Through the Babylonian Captivity, we see both that God is sovereign and that He keeps His promises—all of them. He keeps His promises to bless and to curse. God does not threaten and then not follow through.
God foretold that the treasures of His house would be taken to Babylon in response to Hezekiah’s pride (2 Kings 20:17). God foretold that the people would be taken captive for their sins during the reign of Manasseh (2 Kings 21:12-15). While the judgment was delayed during the reign of Josiah, God had not changed His mind.
Let us rest assured that this God has not changed. While He abounds in steadfast, covenant-keeping faithful love and He is gracious and merciful, He is nonetheless still holy and just. He will keep His Word. There will be a final day of reckoning. People may reject God and get away with their sins today, but they won’t get away with their rebellion forever.
On that final day, we will have to give an account for our lives. God hasn’t warned of a day He doesn’t intend to bring to pass. On that day, our only hope is found in the blood of Jesus Christ shed for sinners.
Challenge:
Do I trust that God keeps all of His Word?