Daily Devotions
Jeremiah
"Concerning Shallum the son of Josiah, king of Judah"
Text: Jeremiah 22:11
CITING A HISTORICAL EXAMPLE
Jeremiah cited the example of how God took away Shallum the son of Josiah because he was wicked. This should have served as a warning to Judah.
“For thus says the LORD
concerning Shallum the son of Josiah, king of Judah,
who reigned instead of Josiah his father,
who went from this place:
‘He shall not return here anymore,
but he shall die in the place where they have led him captive,
and shall see this land no more.'”
Jeremiah 22:11-12
1. The threat of being deposed and exiled
a) This threat did not seem very real to the kings of Judah.
b) Jeremiah had to cite the example of a king called Shallum.
(His original name was Jehoahaz, king of Judah; 2 Kings 23:31-34.)
2. King Josiah
a) He was a better king than most.
b) He tried to get Judah to return to worshipping God.
c) He opposed all forms of idolatry.
d) The many good things he did for Judah were recorded (2 Kings 22-23).
3. King Jehoahaz
a) Unfortunately, King Josiah died in battle (2 Kings 23:28-30).
b) Jehoahaz succeeded his father to the throne.
c) He sought to reverse all that King Josiah did.
d) He was deposed as king by Egypt.
e) He was taken to Egypt and he died there (2 Kings 23:34).
4. The prophecy concerning King Jehoahaz
a) That he will die in the land of captivity.
b) This happened as the prophecy had warned.
c) This was cited as a warning to King Zedekiah.