Jeremiah 21-22

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

Wicked Kings of Judah

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. God does not always direct in the same way in similar situations.

  2. The birth and reign of Christ does not nullify Jeremiah’s prophecy against Jehoiachin.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Take the way of life and not the way of death!

QUESTIONS

  1. Who were the four wicked kings of Judah who followed the reign of good king Josiah?

  2. In contrast to the answer God had given Hezekiah when the Assyrians were besieging Jerusalem years before, what was God’s “way of life” answer to Zedekiah?

  3. What was the judgment pronounced against wicked king Jehoahaz (Shallum) in verses 10-12?

  4. The birth and reign of Christ does not nullify Jeremiah’s prophecy against Jehoiachin, which said that no descendant of his would ascend the throne. This is true since Jesus is not a ____________ descendant of Jehoiachin because of His virgin birth. Mary was in the line of David but not through Jehoiachin. However, Jesus does have a _______ right and claim to the throne of David through Joseph, who was a descendant of David through Jehoiachin (Matthew 1:12).

ANSWERS

  1. The four wicked kings were Jehoahaz (Shallum), Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin (Coniah), and Zedekiah.

  2. God told Zedekiah that the “way of life” was to surrender to the Babylonians.

  3. God’s judgment against Jehoahaz in verses 10-12 of chapter 22 was that he would be taken captive to Egypt and would never return. 2 Kings 23 confirms that this prophecy was accurate.

  4. Jesus is not a biological descendant of Jehoiachin. He does however have a legal right and claim to the throne of David.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. The accuracy of the Old Testament prophecy of Jeremiah against Jehoiachin (that no descendant of his would ascend the throne) might be questioned, since Jesus the Messiah is a descendant of David through Jehoiachin. This is a good example where a thorough study of Scripture confirms the accuracy of the prophecy. Review the genealogies of our Lord in Matthew 1 and Luke 3 in this regard.

CHALLENGE

  1. If you have not yet taken the opportunity to accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal savior, would you now take “the way of life” and turn to Him, the One who died for your sins so that you would no longer be under the wrath of God?

KEY VERSES

  • “Woe to him who builds his house by unrighteousness and his chambers by injustice.” Jeremiah 22:13a

Jeremiah, Old Testament, TalksDeb HarmsJeremiah 21-22