Jehoiachin had reigned in Jerusalem only three months when Nebuchadnezzar invaded and laid siege to the city. The Babylonian invasion and the captivity of Israel were God’s wrath upon the nation for the sins that his forefathers, the proceeding kings, and his people had committed. Jehoiachin was only eighteen years old and incapable of turning the tide around during his short three-month reign. But the real problem was not his young age nor his short reign; it was that his heart was not right with God (v. 9).

Jehoiachin, his mother, his attendants, his nobles and his officials all surrendered to Nebuchadnezzar (v. 12). They were taken captives to Babylon, fulfilling Jeremiah’s prophecy (Jer 22:24-27). It was a tragedy nationally to Israel and personally to Jehoiachin as the king. This tragedy should serve us as a spiritual lesson that if we don’t surrender to God lovingly then we will be forced to surrender to “the ruler of the kingdom of the air” (cf. Eph 2:2; Phil 2:9-11).
Application: Father, thank you for your love in discipliningme when I am obstinate and remain in my sins. Please wake me up to repent of my sins and turn and surrender to you in love. Amen.
One Word: Surrender to God