How does Jehoiakim's reign compare to other kings who followed God's laws? Jehoiakim’s Starting Point (2 Kings 23:36–37) “Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eleven years. His mother’s name was Zebidah daughter of Pedaiah, and she was from Rumah. And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, just as his fathers had done.” What God Expects of a King Deuteronomy 17:18-20 sketches the gold standard: • Make a personal copy of the Law • Read it daily • Fear the LORD and keep every word • Avoid pride, idolatry, and covenant violations When obeyed, the throne is “prolonged” and the nation blessed (v. 20). How Jehoiakim Departed from the Standard • Ignored Jeremiah’s prophetic warnings (Jeremiah 26:20-23; 36:20-24) • Burned the scroll of God’s word—open contempt for Scripture (Jeremiah 36:23) • Imposed heavy taxes to satisfy Egypt, then Babylon (2 Kings 23:33-35) • Built palaces with forced labor (Jeremiah 22:13-17) • Sided with foreign powers instead of trusting the LORD (2 Kings 24:1) Righteous Counter-Examples 1. Hezekiah — “He trusted in the LORD… He held fast to the LORD and did not turn from following Him” (2 Kings 18:5-6). 2. Josiah — “Before him there was no king like him who turned to the LORD with all his heart… nor did any like him arise after him” (2 Kings 23:25). 3. Jehoshaphat — “His heart was devoted to the ways of the LORD” (2 Chron 17:6). Key contrasts: • Scripture honored, not destroyed • Idolatry purged, not promoted • Reliance on God’s covenant, not foreign alliances • National blessing rather than looming exile Consequences of Jehoiakim’s Choices • Babylonian domination began in his reign (2 Kings 24:1). • Prophecy of a dishonorable burial fulfilled (Jeremiah 22:18-19). • Judah’s moral freefall accelerated, paving the way for the 586 BC exile. Takeaway When a leader honors God’s word, the nation flourishes; when he despises it, decline is swift and certain. Jehoiakim stands as a sober foil to kings like Hezekiah and Josiah, reminding readers that fidelity to Scripture is the decisive line between blessing and judgment. |
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