Gedalliah is Made Ruler of Judah

II Kings 25:22–30
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Gedaliah, who was Josiah’s secretary of state, was appointed governor of Judah by Nebuchadnezzar.  He set up his headquarters at Mizpah, which was about eight miles north of Jerusalem, because Jerusalem lay in ruins. The governor tried to convince a group of men who remained in the land to serve Nebuchadnezzar. Ishmael, who was of royal descent and wanted to govern Judah, conspired against Gedaliah and succeeded in assassinating him (Jer. 41). Fearing reprisals from Nebuchadnezzar all the people, including the officers of the governor, fled to Egypt for safety and they forced Jeremiah to go with them (Jer. 41-43).

In the meantime a new king, Evil-Merodach, had become ruler of Babylon and he decided to give freedom to the exiles. Jehoiachin who had been imprisoned for 37 years was one of those who was given freedom.  In fact, the former Jewish king was given a prominent position and new appropriate garments. He was even allowed to eat at the king’s table (v. 29).

Application

The books of Kings remind us that sinfulness can coexist with most religious groups. General revival can only be accomplished by a change on the inside. Happily, the books of the Kings do not complete the account of God’s working with His people. Many years later a promise was made for man to have a new birth through the death of His Son on the cross. I am so glad to know that Jesus Christ paid for my sins on the cross and He has given me eternal life.