God is Sovereign

Jeremiah 22:24–30
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There is no attribute more comforting to his children than that of God’s sovereignty. Under the most adverse circumstances, in the most severe trials, they believe that sovereignty has ordained their afflictions, that sovereignty overrules them, and that sovereignty will s … More

Sovereignty

Jehoiachin (who was only 23 years old) followed his father Jehoiakim to the throne (v. 24). After a three-month reign Jehoiachin surrendered to Nebuchadnezzar and he and his mother Nehushta (the widow of King Jehoikim (2 Kings 24:8) was deported to Babylon where they both would die (vv. 24-26). God indicated that Jehoiachin was as valuable to Him as a signet ring (v. 27). A signet ring was most valuable because it was used to impress its owner’s signature or seal on various documents. Even if Jehoiachin were this important to God (and the clear implication is that he was not), God would rather remove him than allow him to continue sinning.Jeremiah indicated that God, in His sovereignty, was responsible for Jehoiachin’s judgment. The people did not despise Jehoiachin as a broken, unwanted pot. In fact some hoped he would be restored as king (28:1-4). But if Jehoiachin was so popular, why would he and his children be removed from office and cast into Babylon? The answer is that God was sovereign, and He was responsible for Jehoiachin’s fall. Though King Jehoiachin did have children (v. 28), he was to be considered childless because none of his offspring would be allowed to sit on the throne of David to rule as king of Judah (vv. 29-30). His uncle, Zedekiah, who replaced Jehoiachin, was Judah’s last king. This helps explain the genealogies of Christ in Matthew 1 and Luke 3. Matthew presented the legal line of Christ through his stepfather, Joseph. However, Joseph’s line came through Shealtiel who was a son of Jehoiachin. Had Christ been a physical descendant of Joseph and not virgin-born, He would have been disqualified as Israel’s King.

Application

It is amazing how God ties history together and helps us see how He works in marvelous ways. It is only by God’s sovereignty and marvelous grace that I am saved and not lost like most people.

Jeremiah 22:24-30 (English Standard Version)

"As I live, declares the LORD, though Coniah the son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, were the signet ring on my right hand, yet I would tear you off and give you into the hand of those who seek your life, into the hand of those of whom you are afraid, even into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and into the hand of the Chaldeans. I will hurl you and the mother who bore you into another country, where you were not born, and there you shall die. But to the land to which they will long to return, there they shall not return." Is this man Coniah a despised, broken pot, a vessel no one cares for? Why are he and his children hurled and cast into a land that they do not know? O land, land, land, hear the word of the LORD! Thus says the LORD: "Write this man down as childless, a man who shall not succeed in his days, for none of his offspring shall succeed in sitting on the throne of David and ruling again in Judah."

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More Jeremiah commentaries

God is Sovereign

Jeremiah 22:24–30» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)

Application

Jeremiah 22:24-30 (English Standard Version)

Jeremiah 22:24–30
» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)