Keeping hope alive in the middle of severe and difficult circumstances is not an easy task. In our text, we read the account of the surrender and eventual destruction of Jerusalem, the forced exile of the city’s population to Babylon, and King Jehoiachin’s imprisonment and eventual release.
These passages encourage readers to can keep hope alive in the midst of personal and/or national tragedy.
In the last eight chapters of 2 Kings, we see how Judah declined spiritually between the reigns of King Hezekiah and King Jehoiachin. The period between Hezekiah and Jehoiachin was a time of rebellion against God through the worship of false gods. The chronicler noted, with the exception of the reformer Josiah, all the kings and their spiritual leaders refused to call for or lead the nation to repent of their collective sin and follow the living God. Instead, they encouraged and demanded their people to continue their hedonistic path.
Because of this rebellion, we read in 24:2-4 that the Lord sent the nation of Judah’s enemies against them “in order to remove them from his presence because of the sins of Manasseh … and the Lord was not willing to forgive.”
The writer tells us in 24:12-14 that Nebuchadnezzar took into exile King Jehoiachin, his household, the soldiers, all of the treasures of the temple and the palace, the elite soldiers, craftsman, artisans, civic leaders and government administrators—close to 10,000 people. Nebuchadnezzar then installed Zedekiah as king, who would reign 11 years. Zedekiah was as evil as those whom he followed.
Even with these great losses, there remained a remnant of believers who kept hope alive although they had lost most, if not all, their treasures, including their freedom. This should encourage believers to keep alive their hope in God no matter what precious things they lose.
In 24:19-20, we see where God’s patience ends. King Zedekiah’s evil actions against the Lord and his rebellion against Nebuchadnezzar resulted in the Lord’s decision to use the king of Babylon to destroy Judah and send its people into captivity. In doing so, the Lord banished them from his presence.
Believers are reckless if they count on God’s repeated forgiveness when they continually reject his instructions. God is patient and longsuffering, but there comes a point when he brings judgment according to what his people deserve. The Lord’s warnings are meant to preserve the believers’ relationship with him and to prevent his judgment.
When the Lord decides that he must bring judgment on his people for their persistent disobedience, believers still can keep alive their hope in God.
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In 2 Kings 25, we read of the total destruction of Judah’s military, political and spiritual leadership. First, Nebuchadnezzar lays siege to Jerusalem for a period of two and one-half years. It is at this time that the last of the food was gone, the Babylonians broke through Jerusalem’s wall and Zedekiah tried to escape.
After leaving the city, the king’s men deserted him which made the Babylonian army’s mission of capturing Zedekiah easy. Upon his capture and Nebuchadnezzar’s judgment, Zedekiah was made to watch his sons killed, then his eyes were gouged out and he was led away to Babylon.
Later, the Babylonians burned down the temple of the Lord, the royal place and every other building in Jerusalem. Then, they tore down the walls of Jerusalem. These actions were taken by the Babylonians to discourage any further resistance or insurrection by making the city defenseless.
The Lord allowed this because the Jews considered the temple to be a sign of his presence. The destruction of the temple signified to the Israelites God’s presence was no long with them. After the destruction of the city, the Babylonians took the majority of the population into exile.
Even in the midst of the chaos and loss that overwhelmed these residents/exiles, we can see in the words of Jeremiah to them that they should keep their hope in the Lord alive because he still is in charge. “‘For I know the plans I have for you … plans to prosper you … plans to give you hope and a future … you will call on me … you will seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,’ declares the Lord, ‘and will bring you back from captivity’” (Jeremiah 29:11-14).
This should encourage modern-day believers when confronted with chaotic situations causing many to experience panic and hopelessness to remember there is hope to be found in a living God. Thus, we are able to keep hope alive.
2 Kings unexpectedly ends with a story about Jehoiachin, who had been in prison 37 years, being released by Nebuchadnezzar’s successor, Evil-Merodach, and given a place of honor among the other exiled kings in Babylon. With Jehoiachin being of the linage of King David, the Holy Spirit-inspired author held out a glimmer of hope to the people of Judah by recording the release of their king.
The hope for a better future still remains because neither the Lord nor Israel’s remnant are dead. God’s word and his promises to David remain in effect even though the signs of the relationship between the Lord and Israel, such as the temple, no longer existed. The writer is telling his readers, then and now, to trust the Lord and find hope in him. Believers can keep their hope in God because he will give evidence he is working in the course of human events for their benefit.
Christians—by definition, and more importantly by faith—have put their ultimate hope in the Lord. Still, they or their loved ones may experience long-lasting, hard circumstances that put their hope and faith to the test. They may contract terrible illnesses, lose their possessions or be victims of violence. They may wonder whether God hears their prayers and, if he does, why he hasn’t helped.
Every Christian goes through challenges like these during their walk with God. This passage gives encouragement and hope to the readers the Lord is at work to fulfill his plan for their lives. They can keep hope alive.
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