Dear Friends,

In the eleven years since his godly grandfather, King Josiah, had died, Jehoiachin watched his uncle and his own father again take the kingdom of Judah down into an evil spiral of rebellion, destroying all the good their father had done. He saw their sins inflict ruin and death on their own families and country. Yet the young King Jehoiachin chose to continue their evil ways.

Jehoiachin was immediately exiled in Babylon for thirty-seven years. Perhaps he agonized over reports of the destruction of his people at the hands of the Babylonians. Maybe he repented in those long days in his prison cell. Finally, one day he was released.

Awel-Marduk became king of Babylon, he released Jehoiachin king of Judah from prison. He did this on the twenty-seventh day of the twelfth month. He spoke kindly to him and gave him a seat of honor (2 Kings 25:27–28).

God had made a promise to the line of Judah, and His promise would not be altered, even by His people’s rebellion.

Thought for Today: God’s promises are true and everlasting.