Tue.’s Devo - Jerusalem’s End -

Read: Jeremiah 51:54-52:34; Titus 3:1-15; Psalm 100: 1-5; Proverbs 26:18-19 Jeremiah prophecied Babylon’s destruction in the forth year of Zedekiah’s reign over Jerusalem. He sent that prophecy through Seraiah, a staff officer who was taken to Babylon with King Zedekiah. Jeremiah told Seraiah to read the words he had written. Then he was to tie the scroll to a rock and throw it into the Euphrates River as a sign that like this scroll, Babylon would sink and never rise again. *** Zedekiah was the last king of Judah. He ruled 11 years and did evil in God’s eyes. He rebelled against the king of Babylon which caused them to come and besiege Jerusalem. When he famine became so great in Jerusalem, Zedekiah and his officers tried to escape by nightfall through a breach in the wall. Zedekiah was captured and abandoned by his men. Nebuchadnezzar sentenced him and made him watch as he killed his sons and officers. Then they gouged out Zedekiah’s eyes. One of his official went back to Jerusalem and burned down the Temple and the royal palace. He took the people who pledged their allegiance to Babylon with him and only left the poorest to keep the land. They eventually carried away 4,600 captives as well as anything of worth. *** When Nebuchadnezzar died, Evil-merodach ruled Babylon. He released Jehoiachin from prison and gave him a high position in his kingdom. He ate at the king’s table for the rest of his life. *** In Titus, Paul told them to submit to their government officials, but also to do what was good. We don’t submit to evil even if it is a law. He spoke of slavery to sin which is worse than physical slavery. Jesus washed us from this slavery to sin and gave is a new life. Paul warned them against quarreling about doctrine which usually led to false doctrines like gnosticism. *** Paul encouraged them to help the men he was going to send them with anything they might need. Paul was trying to teach them to think of others above themselves. *** Lord, may we give freely of our time and resources as you have so freely given to us. Thank you for setting us free to live righteously for you.