Hope in Exile and God’s Long-Term Purposes

1
00:00:00,720 –> 00:00:04,170
Randy Black:
What happens when God’s promises seem delayed?

2
00:00:05,019 –> 00:00:09,070
Randy Black:
What happens when everything you’ve known is suddenly taken away?

3
00:00:09,730 –> 00:00:14,870
Randy Black:
Jehoiachin was a king of Judah for only three months before his world collapsed.

4
00:00:15,260 –> 00:00:19,270
Randy Black:
Jerusalem fell under Babylonian control, the treasures of the temple were carried

5
00:00:19,270 –> 00:00:24,700
Randy Black:
away, and the young king found himself removed from his throne and taken into captivity.

6
00:00:25,250 –> 00:00:26,310
Randy Black:
From a human perspective, it

7
00:00:26,310 –> 00:00:30,200
Randy Black:
appeared that Jehoiachin’s story had ended almost as soon as it had begun.

8
00:00:30,930 –> 00:00:35,600
Randy Black:
The kingdom was in crisis, the future looked uncertain, and God’s promises to

9
00:00:35,600 –> 00:00:39,150
Randy Black:
the house of David may have seemed further away than ever before.

10
00:00:39,940 –> 00:00:45,690
Randy Black:
Yet, what appeared to be the end was actually part of a much larger story.

11
00:00:46,350 –> 00:00:51,910
Randy Black:
Even in exile, God was still working. Even in captivity, God was preserving his promises.

12
00:00:52,330 –> 00:00:56,960
Randy Black:
And even during decades of waiting, God’s long-term promises continued moving

13
00:00:56,960 –> 00:00:59,740
Randy Black:
forward exactly according to his plan.

14
00:01:00,420 –> 00:01:04,660
Randy Black:
Today, we’ll examine what Jehoiachin’s captivity can teach us about trusting

15
00:01:04,660 –> 00:01:08,569
Randy Black:
God during difficult seasons, maintaining hope when answers seem delayed,

16
00:01:08,910 –> 00:01:15,069
Randy Black:
and believing that God is still at work even when his plans are not immediately visible.

17
00:01:15,750 –> 00:01:21,190
Randy Black:
This is Hope in Exile and God’s Long-Term Purposes, today on Bible.

18
00:01:43,930 –> 00:01:48,270
Randy Black:
Bytes, the podcast where we work to inspire faith one bite at a time.

19
00:01:49,420 –> 00:01:52,170
Randy Black:
I’m your host, Randy Black. I’m an educator, technology specialist,

20
00:01:52,170 –> 00:01:54,850
Randy Black:
and podcaster who’s been a Christian for over three decades,

21
00:01:55,220 –> 00:02:00,630
Randy Black:
and I’m working to share my own study of God’s Word with you here on Bible Bytes.

22
00:02:01,890 –> 00:02:07,850
Randy Black:
Thank you for joining me here for episode 96 as we continue our series on people in the Bible in prison.

23
00:02:08,590 –> 00:02:12,310
Randy Black:
Throughout this series, we’ve been examining individuals in Scripture who experienced

24
00:02:12,310 –> 00:02:15,630
Randy Black:
imprisonment, captivity, confinement, and seasons of isolation.

25
00:02:16,240 –> 00:02:20,410
Randy Black:
Although each person’s circumstances were different, their stories reveal important

26
00:02:20,410 –> 00:02:24,710
Randy Black:
truths about God’s faithfulness, his sovereignty, and his work in the lives of his people.

27
00:02:25,510 –> 00:02:28,910
Randy Black:
In our previous episode, we examined Samson’s imprisonment and discovered how

28
00:02:28,910 –> 00:02:33,050
Randy Black:
God used a season of captivity to bring humility, repentance,

29
00:02:33,280 –> 00:02:34,820
Randy Black:
and a renewed dependence upon him.

30
00:02:35,300 –> 00:02:40,630
Randy Black:
Samson’s story reminded us that while compromise can lead to painful consequences,

31
00:02:41,150 –> 00:02:44,410
Randy Black:
God’s grace remains available to those who turn back to him.

32
00:02:45,230 –> 00:02:48,760
Randy Black:
Today, we turn our attention to a very different prisoner.

33
00:02:49,449 –> 00:02:54,780
Randy Black:
Jehoiachin was not a judge like Samson, nor was he imprisoned because of a personal moral failure.

34
00:02:55,190 –> 00:03:00,310
Randy Black:
Instead, he was a young king whose captivity became part of a much larger story

35
00:03:00,310 –> 00:03:05,240
Randy Black:
involving national judgment, exile, and God’s unfolding plan for his people.

36
00:03:06,430 –> 00:03:10,490
Randy Black:
When Babylon invaded Judah, Jehoiachin was removed from his throne,

37
00:03:10,940 –> 00:03:14,420
Randy Black:
carried away to a foreign land, and seemingly forgotten.

38
00:03:15,210 –> 00:03:20,540
Randy Black:
For decades, he lived as a captive in Babylon while his homeland remained under foreign control.

39
00:03:21,220 –> 00:03:25,560
Randy Black:
From a human perspective, it would have been easy to conclude that God’s promises had failed.

40
00:03:26,230 –> 00:03:29,440
Randy Black:
Yet, Scripture reveals a very different reality.

41
00:03:30,170 –> 00:03:35,500
Randy Black:
Even while Jehoiachin lived in exile, God was continuing to preserve his covenant

42
00:03:35,500 –> 00:03:40,590
Randy Black:
promises and accomplish purposes that extended far beyond anything Jehoiachin

43
00:03:40,590 –> 00:03:41,850
Randy Black:
could have understood at the time.

44
00:03:42,750 –> 00:03:47,500
Randy Black:
Our key scripture for this episode comes from 2 Kings 24, verse 15,

45
00:03:47,770 –> 00:03:53,350
Randy Black:
where we read of Jehoiachin’s removal from Jerusalem and transportation into Babylonian captivity.

46
00:03:53,970 –> 00:03:56,720
Randy Black:
As we move through today’s study, I want us to consider an important question.

47
00:03:57,520 –> 00:04:02,950
Randy Black:
How do we respond when God’s plans seem delayed, his purposes seem hidden,

48
00:04:03,360 –> 00:04:08,800
Randy Black:
and our circumstances appeared to move in the opposite direction of what we expected.

49
00:04:09,660 –> 00:04:14,300
Randy Black:
Jehoiachin’s story offers a powerful answer. So with that in mind,

50
00:04:14,610 –> 00:04:18,000
Randy Black:
let’s begin with a word of prayer. Heavenly Father.

51
00:04:19,260 –> 00:04:22,010
Randy Black:
We thank you for this opportunity to gather and study your word today.

52
00:04:22,820 –> 00:04:28,020
Randy Black:
As we examine the life of Jehoiak and help us to better understand your faithfulness and your sovereignty.

53
00:04:28,790 –> 00:04:33,500
Randy Black:
Give us wisdom to trust you even during seasons when your plans are not immediately

54
00:04:33,500 –> 00:04:36,660
Randy Black:
visible and when circumstances seem difficult to understand.

55
00:04:37,370 –> 00:04:41,640
Randy Black:
Lord, we thank you that your purposes are never limited by our circumstance.

56
00:04:42,180 –> 00:04:46,730
Randy Black:
Help us to remember that you were always at work even when we cannot see what you were doing.

57
00:04:47,330 –> 00:04:52,180
Randy Black:
Strengthen our faith during times of waiting and teach us to rely upon your

58
00:04:52,180 –> 00:04:54,270
Randy Black:
promises rather than our own understanding.

59
00:04:55,070 –> 00:04:58,760
Randy Black:
We pray for those who may be facing seasons of uncertainty, disappointment,

60
00:04:58,760 –> 00:05:00,240
Randy Black:
loss, or unanswered questions.

61
00:05:00,850 –> 00:05:05,839
Randy Black:
Encourage them through the truths found in your word and remind them that you

62
00:05:05,839 –> 00:05:08,089
Randy Black:
remain faithful in every circumstance.

63
00:05:08,870 –> 00:05:14,180
Randy Black:
Help us to trust your timing, follow your will, and place our hope in your unfailing promises.

64
00:05:14,830 –> 00:05:18,029
Randy Black:
We ask these things in the name of your son, Jesus. Amen.

65
00:05:19,839 –> 00:05:23,950
Randy Black:
Our key scripture for today, again, comes from 2 Kings 24, verse 15.

66
00:05:24,399 –> 00:05:28,290
Randy Black:
This passage records a moment when King Jehoiachin was taken from Jerusalem and

67
00:05:28,290 –> 00:05:30,080
Randy Black:
carried away into Babylonian captivity.

68
00:05:30,680 –> 00:05:33,240
Randy Black:
So let’s get started by reading that from the King James Version.

69
00:05:34,250 –> 00:05:37,810
Randy Black:
And he carried away Jehoiachin to Babylon, and the king’s mother,

70
00:05:38,040 –> 00:05:41,399
Randy Black:
and the king’s wives, and his officers, and the mighty of the land.

71
00:05:41,670 –> 00:05:45,470
Randy Black:
Those carried he into captivity from Jerusalem to Babylon.

72
00:05:46,580 –> 00:05:51,260
Randy Black:
First glance, this verse may seem like a simple historical statement,

73
00:05:52,110 –> 00:05:57,910
Randy Black:
yet behind those few words lies one of the most significant turning points in the history of Judah.

74
00:05:58,620 –> 00:06:02,080
Randy Black:
Jehoiachin was a young king whose reign lasted only three months.

75
00:06:02,740 –> 00:06:06,000
Randy Black:
During that brief period, Babylon’s power continued to grow,

76
00:06:06,399 –> 00:06:10,630
Randy Black:
and Jerusalem found itself under increasing pressure from King Nebuchadnezzar.

77
00:06:11,600 –> 00:06:14,970
Randy Black:
The result was devastating. The king was taken captive.

78
00:06:15,510 –> 00:06:19,210
Randy Black:
Members of the royal family were taken captive. Military leaders were taken captive.

79
00:06:19,490 –> 00:06:24,700
Randy Black:
Most of the nation’s most skilled and influential citizens were taken captive.

80
00:06:25,670 –> 00:06:30,180
Randy Black:
What we are witnessing in this passage is not merely the imprisonment of a single individual.

81
00:06:30,820 –> 00:06:35,990
Randy Black:
We are witnessing the beginning of a national tragedy that would reshape the future of God’s people.

82
00:06:36,810 –> 00:06:40,270
Randy Black:
To better understand what’s happening, let’s look at a few surrounding verses.

83
00:06:40,750 –> 00:06:45,500
Randy Black:
So 2 Kings 24, verse 12, we read this, And Jehoiachin, the king of Judah,

84
00:06:45,800 –> 00:06:49,170
Randy Black:
went out to the king of Babylon. He and his mother and his servants and his

85
00:06:49,170 –> 00:06:54,170
Randy Black:
princes and his officers, and the king of Babylon took him in the eighth year of his reign.

86
00:06:55,250 –> 00:06:59,240
Randy Black:
Then in verses 13 and 14, scripture tells us that Nebuchadnezzar carried away

87
00:06:59,240 –> 00:07:03,080
Randy Black:
treasures from the temple and from the king’s house and removed many of the

88
00:07:03,080 –> 00:07:04,670
Randy Black:
leaders and craftsmen from the land.

89
00:07:05,590 –> 00:07:08,820
Randy Black:
From a human perspective, the situation appeared hopeless.

90
00:07:09,500 –> 00:07:13,460
Randy Black:
The kingdom was weakened. The royal line seemed broken. the people were scattered

91
00:07:13,460 –> 00:07:14,920
Randy Black:
and the future looked uncertain.

92
00:07:15,950 –> 00:07:20,350
Randy Black:
For many observers, it may have appeared that God’s promises concerning David’s

93
00:07:20,350 –> 00:07:22,060
Randy Black:
throne were coming to an end.

94
00:07:22,890 –> 00:07:27,810
Randy Black:
Yet, as we often discover throughout Scripture, God’s plans are not always visible in the moment.

95
00:07:28,710 –> 00:07:32,300
Randy Black:
What appeared to be defeat was not the end of the story.

96
00:07:33,240 –> 00:07:38,390
Randy Black:
In fact, one of the most remarkable aspects of Jehoiachin’s account is found many years later.

97
00:07:39,430 –> 00:07:43,490
Randy Black:
Near the conclusion of the book of 2 Kings, after decades of captivity,

98
00:07:44,150 –> 00:07:48,240
Randy Black:
we read these words in chapter 25, verses 27 and 28.

99
00:07:49,380 –> 00:07:54,050
Randy Black:
And it came to pass in the seven and thirtieth year of the captivity of Jehoiachin,

100
00:07:54,050 –> 00:07:59,670
Randy Black:
king of Judah, that evil Merodot king of Babylon did lift up the head of Jehoiachin,

101
00:07:59,670 –> 00:08:01,020
Randy Black:
king of Judah out of prison.

102
00:08:01,450 –> 00:08:05,390
Randy Black:
And he spake kindly to him and set his throne above the throne of the kings

103
00:08:05,650 –> 00:08:07,280
Randy Black:
that were with him in Babylon.

104
00:08:08,850 –> 00:08:13,120
Randy Black:
Think about that for a moment. 37 years had passed.

105
00:08:13,690 –> 00:08:21,340
Randy Black:
37 years of exile. 37 years of uncertainty, 37 years of waiting.

106
00:08:22,480 –> 00:08:29,360
Randy Black:
Yet Jehoiachin was not forgotten. The same man who had been carried away in chains

107
00:08:29,730 –> 00:08:33,330
Randy Black:
was eventually brought out of prison and shown favor by the Babylonian king.

108
00:08:34,140 –> 00:08:39,059
Randy Black:
The chapter concludes by telling us that Jehoiachin was given a continual allowance

109
00:08:39,059 –> 00:08:43,429
Randy Black:
and ate regularly at the king’s table for the remainder of his life.

110
00:08:44,679 –> 00:08:50,840
Randy Black:
So why is that important? Because it serves as a reminder that even when God’s

111
00:08:50,840 –> 00:08:54,210
Randy Black:
purposes seem delayed, they have not been abandoned.

112
00:08:54,950 –> 00:08:58,500
Randy Black:
The story that began with captivity ends with hope.

113
00:08:59,049 –> 00:09:04,260
Randy Black:
The story that began with loss ends with evidence that God was still preserving his promises.

114
00:09:05,280 –> 00:09:08,420
Randy Black:
As we move through today’s study, we’re going to discover that Jehoiachin’s life

115
00:09:08,420 –> 00:09:10,799
Randy Black:
teaches us an important lesson about faith.

116
00:09:11,630 –> 00:09:15,700
Randy Black:
There will be times when God’s plans seem hidden. There’s going to be seasons

117
00:09:15,700 –> 00:09:17,370
Randy Black:
when answers do not come quickly.

118
00:09:17,910 –> 00:09:23,870
Randy Black:
There will be moments when circumstances suggest that everything has gone wrong.

119
00:09:24,950 –> 00:09:30,490
Randy Black:
But Jehoiachin’s story reminds us that God is still at work even when we cannot see the full picture.

120
00:09:31,620 –> 00:09:35,780
Randy Black:
To fully understand the significance of Jehoiachin’s captivity,

121
00:09:35,780 –> 00:09:40,840
Randy Black:
we need to step back and examine the larger historical and spiritual situation

122
00:09:40,840 –> 00:09:43,120
Randy Black:
that existed in Judah at that time.

123
00:09:43,730 –> 00:09:47,130
Randy Black:
Unlike some of the individuals we’ve studied in this series so far,

124
00:09:47,590 –> 00:09:52,200
Randy Black:
Jehoiachin’s imprisonment was not primarily the result of a single personal decision.

125
00:09:52,820 –> 00:09:56,950
Randy Black:
His captivity occurred during a period when an entire nation was experiencing

126
00:09:56,950 –> 00:10:00,470
Randy Black:
the consequences of generations of spiritual decline.

127
00:10:01,120 –> 00:10:04,040
Randy Black:
For centuries, God had been patient with his people.

128
00:10:04,720 –> 00:10:08,470
Randy Black:
Through Moses, God had warned Israel that obedience would bring blessing,

129
00:10:08,760 –> 00:10:12,260
Randy Black:
while persistent rebellion would bring eventual judgment.

130
00:10:12,940 –> 00:10:16,940
Randy Black:
Throughout the years, God repeatedly sent prophets to call his people back to him.

131
00:10:17,309 –> 00:10:20,690
Randy Black:
Again and again, he warned them about the dangers of idolatry,

132
00:10:20,980 –> 00:10:23,820
Randy Black:
injustice, and covenant unfaithfulness.

133
00:10:24,620 –> 00:10:29,740
Randy Black:
Yet, despite these warnings, both the northern kingdom of Israel in the southern

134
00:10:29,740 –> 00:10:33,150
Randy Black:
kingdom of Judah frequently drifted away from the Lord.

135
00:10:34,440 –> 00:10:38,170
Randy Black:
The northern kingdom had already fallen to Assyria more than a century earlier.

136
00:10:38,860 –> 00:10:41,190
Randy Black:
Now Judah was moving toward a similar fate.

137
00:10:42,299 –> 00:10:47,240
Randy Black:
The years leading up to Jehoiachin’s reign were marked by both reform and decline.

138
00:10:47,690 –> 00:10:51,780
Randy Black:
One of Judah’s most faithful kings was Josiah. During his reign,

139
00:10:51,780 –> 00:10:57,020
Randy Black:
efforts were made to remove idols, restore proper worship, and return the nation to God’s word.

140
00:10:57,679 –> 00:11:01,059
Randy Black:
2 Kings 23 records many of these actual reforms.

141
00:11:01,920 –> 00:11:07,280
Randy Black:
However, spiritual change among the people was often more outward than inward.

142
00:11:07,960 –> 00:11:13,790
Randy Black:
After Josiah’s death, the nation quickly returned to many of its previous patterns of disobedience.

143
00:11:14,429 –> 00:11:18,809
Randy Black:
A series of kings followed whose reigns were increasingly true.

144
00:11:18,809 –> 00:11:23,030
Randy Black:
Jehoahaz ruled only briefly before being removed by Egypt.

145
00:11:23,840 –> 00:11:29,570
Randy Black:
Jehoiachin, Jehoiachin’s father, reigned during a time of growing international instability.

146
00:11:30,179 –> 00:11:34,260
Randy Black:
During his reign, Babylon emerged as the dominant power in the region.

147
00:11:35,170 –> 00:11:39,210
Randy Black:
At the same time, the prophet Jeremiah was delivering some of the most sobering

148
00:11:39,210 –> 00:11:41,230
Randy Black:
messages found in Scripture.

149
00:11:42,070 –> 00:11:44,170
Randy Black:
Jeremiah repeatedly warned that

150
00:11:44,170 –> 00:11:48,870
Randy Black:
Judah’s refusal to repent would result in Babylonian conquest and exile.

151
00:11:49,820 –> 00:11:53,210
Randy Black:
Many people rejected his message. Some ignored it.

152
00:11:54,020 –> 00:11:59,929
Randy Black:
Others openly opposed him. Yet, Jeremiah continued faithfully proclaiming God’s warnings.

153
00:12:01,000 –> 00:12:06,480
Randy Black:
By the time Jehoiachin came to the throne, the crisis was already underway.

154
00:12:07,170 –> 00:12:13,280
Randy Black:
2 Kings 24, verse 8 tells us, Jehoiachin was 18 years old when he began to reign,

155
00:12:13,620 –> 00:12:16,140
Randy Black:
and he reigned in Jerusalem three months.

156
00:12:17,650 –> 00:12:23,830
Randy Black:
Three months. That is all the time he spent as king before Babylon arrived.

157
00:12:24,540 –> 00:12:29,500
Randy Black:
The kingdom he inherited was already weakened. The political situation was unstable.

158
00:12:30,100 –> 00:12:35,220
Randy Black:
The spiritual condition of the nation was poor, and the judgment that God had

159
00:12:35,220 –> 00:12:38,580
Randy Black:
warned about for generations was beginning to unfold.

160
00:12:39,440 –> 00:12:44,710
Randy Black:
Babylon’s king, Nebuchadnezzar, besieged Jerusalem and forced Jehoiachin to surrender.

161
00:12:45,570 –> 00:12:50,170
Randy Black:
The young king, along with members of the royal family, government officials,

162
00:12:50,440 –> 00:12:54,890
Randy Black:
military leaders, craftsmen, and many others, were carried away to Babylon.

163
00:12:55,810 –> 00:13:01,060
Randy Black:
This event became one of the major deportations associated with the Babylonian exile.

164
00:13:01,820 –> 00:13:05,940
Randy Black:
It was a devastating blow to Judah. Imagine how this must have appeared to the

165
00:13:05,940 –> 00:13:07,200
Randy Black:
people living through it.

166
00:13:07,820 –> 00:13:12,640
Randy Black:
The city of David had been conquered. The king sat in a foreign prison.

167
00:13:13,110 –> 00:13:16,330
Randy Black:
Many of the nation’s leaders had been removed. The treasures of the temple had

168
00:13:16,330 –> 00:13:19,630
Randy Black:
been taken. The future looked uncertain.

169
00:13:21,020 –> 00:13:27,260
Randy Black:
Perhaps most importantly, God’s covenant promises to David may have seemed to be in jeopardy.

170
00:13:28,610 –> 00:13:33,280
Randy Black:
Centuries earlier, God had promised David that his royal line would continue.

171
00:13:33,960 –> 00:13:39,880
Randy Black:
In 2 Samuel 7, God established what is often called the Divinic Covenant,

172
00:13:40,690 –> 00:13:47,120
Randy Black:
promising that David’s house and kingdom would have a lasting significance in God’s plan.

173
00:13:48,530 –> 00:13:52,250
Randy Black:
But now a descendant of David sat imprisoned in Babylon.

174
00:13:53,140 –> 00:13:57,430
Randy Black:
From a human perspective, it may have looked as though that promise had failed.

175
00:13:58,390 –> 00:14:05,500
Randy Black:
Yet scripture repeatedly reminds us that God’s plans are not limited by human circumstances.

176
00:14:06,080 –> 00:14:10,840
Randy Black:
In fact, while many people viewed the exile as the end, God viewed it as part

177
00:14:10,840 –> 00:14:12,320
Randy Black:
of a much larger process.

178
00:14:13,230 –> 00:14:17,800
Randy Black:
One passage that helps us understand this perspective is Jeremiah chapter 24.

179
00:14:18,580 –> 00:14:24,260
Randy Black:
After the first deportation to Babylon, Jeremiah received a vision involving two baskets of figs.

180
00:14:24,990 –> 00:14:28,370
Randy Black:
The good figs represented those who had been carried away into exile.

181
00:14:29,100 –> 00:14:33,660
Randy Black:
Listen to what God says in Jeremiah chapter 24 verses 5 through 7.

182
00:14:34,510 –> 00:14:38,180
Randy Black:
Thus saith the Lord, the God of Israel, like these good figs,

183
00:14:38,330 –> 00:14:42,370
Randy Black:
so will I acknowledge them that are carried away captive of Judah.

184
00:14:42,940 –> 00:14:47,770
Randy Black:
For I will set mine eyes upon them for good, and I will bring them again to this land.

185
00:14:48,940 –> 00:14:54,160
Randy Black:
This is remarkable. While many people viewed the captives as abandoned,

186
00:14:54,610 –> 00:14:56,870
Randy Black:
God declared that He was watching over them.

187
00:14:57,380 –> 00:15:01,280
Randy Black:
While others saw only defeat, God saw future restoration.

188
00:15:02,270 –> 00:15:06,330
Randy Black:
While people focused on immediate circumstances, God was already looking toward

189
00:15:06,330 –> 00:15:07,630
Randy Black:
His long-term purposes.

190
00:15:08,540 –> 00:15:12,490
Randy Black:
This theme appears throughout the exile narratives. The book of Daniel takes

191
00:15:12,490 –> 00:15:13,820
Randy Black:
place during this same time.

192
00:15:14,170 –> 00:15:17,110
Randy Black:
Ezekiel ministered among the exiles during that same period.

193
00:15:17,490 –> 00:15:20,690
Randy Black:
Many of God’s most powerful revelations about his sovereignty,

194
00:15:20,690 –> 00:15:25,880
Randy Black:
faithfulness, and future kingdom came during the very years when his people

195
00:15:26,310 –> 00:15:27,630
Randy Black:
appeared most defeated.

196
00:15:28,740 –> 00:15:34,450
Randy Black:
Even the familiar words of Jeremiah 29, verse 11 occur within this context.

197
00:15:34,860 –> 00:15:38,730
Randy Black:
That verse was originally written to Jewish exiles living in Babylon.

198
00:15:39,470 –> 00:15:42,820
Randy Black:
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord,

199
00:15:43,140 –> 00:15:47,650
Randy Black:
thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

200
00:15:48,570 –> 00:15:51,900
Randy Black:
Those words were not given during a season of national prosperity.

201
00:15:52,320 –> 00:15:56,000
Randy Black:
They were given during exile. They were given to people who were struggling

202
00:15:56,000 –> 00:15:57,750
Randy Black:
to understand what God was doing.

203
00:15:58,300 –> 00:16:04,340
Randy Black:
They were given to people who needed assurance that God’s plan had not been canceled.

204
00:16:05,190 –> 00:16:08,780
Randy Black:
Jehoiachin’s story sets right in the middle of this larger narrative.

205
00:16:09,200 –> 00:16:13,020
Randy Black:
He became a prisoner because God’s judgment had come upon Judah.

206
00:16:13,490 –> 00:16:19,200
Randy Black:
Yet his captivity also became part of God’s preservation of the divinic line.

207
00:16:20,190 –> 00:16:25,090
Randy Black:
Generations later, when we turn to the genealogy of Jesus Christ in Matthew

208
00:16:25,090 –> 00:16:30,490
Randy Black:
chapter 1, we find Jehoiachin listed among the ancestors of the Messiah.

209
00:16:31,290 –> 00:16:36,980
Randy Black:
What appeared to be a dead end was actually part of God’s unfolding plan of redemption.

210
00:16:37,780 –> 00:16:42,140
Randy Black:
That is one of the great lessons of biblical history. God’s purposes are often

211
00:16:42,140 –> 00:16:44,090
Randy Black:
larger than circumstances we can see.

212
00:16:44,640 –> 00:16:49,070
Randy Black:
The people living through the exile saw loss, defeat, and uncertainty.

213
00:16:49,870 –> 00:16:55,250
Randy Black:
God saw restoration, preservation, and ultimately the coming of Christ.

214
00:16:56,170 –> 00:17:01,560
Randy Black:
And that truth leads us directly into our first major lesson from Jehoiachin’s captivity.

215
00:17:02,210 –> 00:17:06,750
Randy Black:
God’s discipline is not the same thing as God’s abandonment.

216
00:17:08,550 –> 00:17:13,180
Randy Black:
As we begin examining the lessons that we can learn from Jehoiachin’s story,

217
00:17:13,840 –> 00:17:17,040
Randy Black:
one of the first truths that emerges is that God’s discipline should never be

218
00:17:17,040 –> 00:17:18,720
Randy Black:
confused with God’s abandonment.

219
00:17:19,520 –> 00:17:23,330
Randy Black:
When Jehoiachin was carried away to Babylon, it would have been easy for both

220
00:17:23,330 –> 00:17:27,270
Randy Black:
him and the people of Judah to assume that God had completely rejected them.

221
00:17:27,770 –> 00:17:29,830
Randy Black:
After all, consider what had happened.

222
00:17:30,380 –> 00:17:33,270
Randy Black:
Jerusalem had been conquered, the king had been removed from his throne,

223
00:17:33,270 –> 00:17:36,490
Randy Black:
the treasures of the temple had been taken, many of the nation’s leaders had

224
00:17:36,490 –> 00:17:41,160
Randy Black:
been deported and the people found themselves living under the authority of a foreign power.

225
00:17:41,970 –> 00:17:45,400
Randy Black:
Again, from a human perspective, this looked like defeat.

226
00:17:46,050 –> 00:17:50,030
Randy Black:
They looked like failure. They looked like the end of God’s favor.

227
00:17:50,880 –> 00:17:54,240
Randy Black:
Yet scripture reveals that something very different was taking place.

228
00:17:55,090 –> 00:17:56,770
Randy Black:
God had not abandoned his people.

229
00:17:57,710 –> 00:18:02,290
Randy Black:
Rather, he was carrying out the discipline he had warned about for generations.

230
00:18:03,000 –> 00:18:06,570
Randy Black:
This distinction is important because many Christians struggle with it today.

231
00:18:07,230 –> 00:18:12,030
Randy Black:
When difficult circumstances arise, it’s often tempting to conclude that God

232
00:18:12,030 –> 00:18:16,490
Randy Black:
has forgotten us, he’s rejected us, or withdrawn his care from our lives.

233
00:18:17,359 –> 00:18:19,400
Randy Black:
But the Bible consistently teaches

234
00:18:19,400 –> 00:18:24,030
Randy Black:
that God’s discipline and God’s abandonment are not the same thing.

235
00:18:25,040 –> 00:18:28,990
Randy Black:
Throughout the Old Testament, God repeatedly warned Israel and Judah about the

236
00:18:28,990 –> 00:18:31,330
Randy Black:
consequences of persistent rebellion.

237
00:18:32,340 –> 00:18:36,280
Randy Black:
The covenant blessings and the covenant curses outlined in passages such as

238
00:18:36,280 –> 00:18:42,170
Randy Black:
Deuteronomy chapter 28 made it clear that national disobedience would eventually bring judgment.

239
00:18:42,849 –> 00:18:47,840
Randy Black:
Yet even within those warnings, God continually promised that judgment would

240
00:18:47,840 –> 00:18:49,090
Randy Black:
not be the final chapter.

241
00:18:49,920 –> 00:18:55,920
Randy Black:
His discipline had a purpose. His correction had a goal. His desire was not

242
00:18:55,920 –> 00:18:57,920
Randy Black:
destruction but restoration.

243
00:18:58,460 –> 00:19:01,810
Randy Black:
This is precisely what we see during the Babylonian exile.

244
00:19:02,540 –> 00:19:06,940
Randy Black:
Yeah, the exile was painful. Yeah, the losses were real. Yeah,

245
00:19:06,940 –> 00:19:08,510
Randy Black:
the consequences were severe.

246
00:19:08,920 –> 00:19:15,970
Randy Black:
Yet God continued speaking to his people through prophets, such as Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel.

247
00:19:16,859 –> 00:19:21,400
Randy Black:
If God had abandoned his people, why continue sending his word?

248
00:19:22,369 –> 00:19:27,680
Randy Black:
If God had abandoned his people, why continue making promises about restoration?

249
00:19:28,480 –> 00:19:32,859
Randy Black:
If God had abandoned his people, why continue preserving the line through which

250
00:19:32,859 –> 00:19:34,820
Randy Black:
the Messiah would eventually come?

251
00:19:35,790 –> 00:19:41,599
Randy Black:
Well, the answer is simple. Because God’s discipline was evidence that he was

252
00:19:41,599 –> 00:19:44,060
Randy Black:
still actively involved in their lives.

253
00:19:45,020 –> 00:19:48,480
Randy Black:
Jeremiah chapter 24 provides a remarkable example of this truth.

254
00:19:49,090 –> 00:19:52,020
Randy Black:
Speaking about the exiles who had been carried away to Babylon,

255
00:19:52,390 –> 00:19:57,750
Randy Black:
God declared, For I will set mine eyes upon them for good, and I will bring them again to this land.

256
00:19:58,650 –> 00:20:03,390
Randy Black:
Notice that statement there very carefully. The people may have felt forgotten,

257
00:20:04,070 –> 00:20:06,450
Randy Black:
but God said his eyes remained upon them.

258
00:20:07,250 –> 00:20:12,440
Randy Black:
The people may have felt abandoned, but God was watching over them for good.

259
00:20:12,940 –> 00:20:18,150
Randy Black:
The people may have seen only captivity. God saw restoration that was still to come.

260
00:20:19,380 –> 00:20:23,400
Randy Black:
The same principle appears in the New Testament. Hebrews 12,

261
00:20:23,400 –> 00:20:28,369
Randy Black:
verses 6 and 7 tells us, For whom the Lord loveth, he chasteneth,

262
00:20:28,680 –> 00:20:31,780
Randy Black:
and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

263
00:20:32,230 –> 00:20:36,960
Randy Black:
If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons.

264
00:20:38,000 –> 00:20:43,580
Randy Black:
The writer of Hebrews teaches that discipline is actually evidence of a loving relationship.

265
00:20:44,280 –> 00:20:46,950
Randy Black:
A parent who loves a child provides correction when necessary.

266
00:20:47,520 –> 00:20:51,280
Randy Black:
Likewise, God sometimes allows difficult circumstances to redirect,

267
00:20:51,560 –> 00:20:53,540
Randy Black:
mature, or strengthen his people.

268
00:20:54,119 –> 00:20:57,770
Randy Black:
That doesn’t mean every hardship is the direct result of personal sin.

269
00:20:58,349 –> 00:21:03,330
Randy Black:
Scripture provides many examples of faithful people who suffered for reasons beyond their control.

270
00:21:04,000 –> 00:21:11,060
Randy Black:
However, when God does use discipline, it is never motivated by cruelty. It is motivated by love.

271
00:21:12,220 –> 00:21:19,859
Randy Black:
Lamentations 3, verses 31-33 offers a beautiful reminder of God’s heart during seasons of correction.

272
00:21:20,840 –> 00:21:26,040
Randy Black:
For the Lord will not cast off forever, but though he cause grief,

273
00:21:26,500 –> 00:21:30,660
Randy Black:
yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies.

274
00:21:31,230 –> 00:21:35,240
Randy Black:
For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.

275
00:21:36,590 –> 00:21:39,810
Randy Black:
Even in judgment, God’s mercy remained present.

276
00:21:40,800 –> 00:21:44,220
Randy Black:
Even during exile, God’s compassion remained active.

277
00:21:45,030 –> 00:21:48,609
Randy Black:
Even during discipline, God’s purposes remained good.

278
00:21:49,369 –> 00:21:55,060
Randy Black:
As Christians, we often evaluate God’s faithfulness based upon our immediate circumstances.

279
00:21:56,119 –> 00:21:59,200
Randy Black:
When life is going well, we feel confident that God is near.

280
00:22:00,010 –> 00:22:03,880
Randy Black:
When life becomes difficult, we may begin questioning whether He still cares.

281
00:22:04,530 –> 00:22:07,660
Randy Black:
Jehoiachin’s story challenges that way of thinking.

282
00:22:08,390 –> 00:22:11,630
Randy Black:
At the very moment when God’s people appeared most abandoned,

283
00:22:12,150 –> 00:22:16,310
Randy Black:
God was actually accomplishing some of his most important work.

284
00:22:17,080 –> 00:22:18,609
Randy Black:
He was purifying a nation.

285
00:22:19,390 –> 00:22:21,359
Randy Black:
He was preserving a remnant.

286
00:22:22,170 –> 00:22:24,320
Randy Black:
He was preparing for future restoration.

287
00:22:25,450 –> 00:22:27,530
Randy Black:
And he was protecting the royal

288
00:22:27,530 –> 00:22:31,210
Randy Black:
line through which Jesus Christ would eventually come into the world.

289
00:22:32,070 –> 00:22:35,040
Randy Black:
None of that was obvious to the people living through the exile,

290
00:22:35,750 –> 00:22:37,650
Randy Black:
yet God was working nonetheless.

291
00:22:38,680 –> 00:22:43,859
Randy Black:
The same can be true in our lives. There may be seasons when prayers seem unanswered.

292
00:22:44,580 –> 00:22:47,340
Randy Black:
There may be seasons when circumstances feel confusing.

293
00:22:48,270 –> 00:22:51,380
Randy Black:
There may be seasons when we struggle to understand what God is doing.

294
00:22:52,410 –> 00:22:57,390
Randy Black:
During those moments, we must remember that God’s silence is not abandonment.

295
00:22:58,400 –> 00:23:03,510
Randy Black:
God’s discipline is not rejection. and difficult circumstances do not necessarily

296
00:23:03,510 –> 00:23:05,580
Randy Black:
indicate the absence of his care.

297
00:23:06,300 –> 00:23:12,400
Randy Black:
Sometimes God is doing his deepest work during the very seasons when we can see the least.

298
00:23:13,300 –> 00:23:18,750
Randy Black:
Jehoiachin’s captivity reminds us that God’s faithfulness cannot be measured

299
00:23:18,750 –> 00:23:20,630
Randy Black:
merely by our circumstances.

300
00:23:21,340 –> 00:23:25,980
Randy Black:
Instead, it must be measured by his character. And because his character never

301
00:23:25,980 –> 00:23:31,349
Randy Black:
for changes, we can trust him even when his purposes remain hidden from view.

302
00:23:32,869 –> 00:23:38,490
Randy Black:
One of the most challenging realities of the Christian life is accepting that

303
00:23:38,790 –> 00:23:42,859
Randy Black:
we may not always see the full results of God’s work during our own lifetime.

304
00:23:43,790 –> 00:23:48,849
Randy Black:
Human beings naturally prefer immediate answers. We like quick solutions.

305
00:23:49,420 –> 00:23:51,250
Randy Black:
We appreciate visible progress.

306
00:23:51,900 –> 00:23:57,140
Randy Black:
We often want to understand exactly what God is doing and why it is that he’s doing it.

307
00:23:58,210 –> 00:24:02,790
Randy Black:
Yet scripture repeatedly shows us that God’s plans frequently unfold over years,

308
00:24:03,260 –> 00:24:06,000
Randy Black:
decades, and sometimes even over generations.

309
00:24:07,150 –> 00:24:10,920
Randy Black:
Jehoiachin’s story provides a powerful example of this very truth.

310
00:24:11,800 –> 00:24:15,380
Randy Black:
When the young king was taken to Babylon, he could not have known how God would

311
00:24:15,380 –> 00:24:18,930
Randy Black:
ultimately use his life within this larger story of redemption.

312
00:24:19,760 –> 00:24:22,950
Randy Black:
From his perspective, everything appeared lost.

313
00:24:23,690 –> 00:24:30,970
Randy Black:
His reign had ended almost as soon as it began. His kingdom was gone. His freedom was gone.

314
00:24:31,580 –> 00:24:36,770
Randy Black:
And any dreams he may have had for the future had seemingly vanished.

315
00:24:38,140 –> 00:24:42,800
Randy Black:
If we place ourselves in Jehoiachin’s position, it’s easy to imagine feelings

316
00:24:42,800 –> 00:24:45,780
Randy Black:
of disappointment, confusion, and uncertainty.

317
00:24:46,650 –> 00:24:50,500
Randy Black:
Why would God allow a descendant of David to be removed from the throne?

318
00:24:51,560 –> 00:24:59,150
Randy Black:
Why would the kingdom suffer humiliation? how could God’s promises survive such circumstances?

319
00:25:00,190 –> 00:25:02,260
Randy Black:
And those questions would have been understandable.

320
00:25:03,359 –> 00:25:07,780
Randy Black:
Yet the answers, man, they would not fully emerge for generations.

321
00:25:09,080 –> 00:25:14,330
Randy Black:
One of the greatest themes of Scripture is that God’s perspective is much, much larger than ours.

322
00:25:15,060 –> 00:25:20,390
Randy Black:
Isaiah chapter 55, verses 8 and 9 says, For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

323
00:25:20,960 –> 00:25:23,440
Randy Black:
Neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.

324
00:25:24,130 –> 00:25:28,380
Randy Black:
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your

325
00:25:28,380 –> 00:25:31,130
Randy Black:
ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

326
00:25:32,990 –> 00:25:38,840
Randy Black:
God sees the entire picture. We only see a small part of it.

327
00:25:39,820 –> 00:25:44,920
Randy Black:
God sees the beginning and the end. We only see the moment directly in front of us.

328
00:25:46,000 –> 00:25:53,230
Randy Black:
What appeared to be a tragic interruption in God’s plan was actually part of God’s plan.

329
00:25:54,780 –> 00:25:59,540
Randy Black:
Perhaps the most remarkable evidence of this truth appears when we turn to the New Testament.

330
00:26:00,090 –> 00:26:05,760
Randy Black:
In Matthew chapter 1, the genealogy of Jesus Christ includes Jehoiachin among

331
00:26:05,760 –> 00:26:07,230
Randy Black:
the ancestors of the Messiah.

332
00:26:07,820 –> 00:26:12,170
Randy Black:
Think about what that means. A king who spent decades in Babylonian captivity

333
00:26:12,170 –> 00:26:18,110
Randy Black:
became part of the family line through which God brought salvation into the world.

334
00:26:18,830 –> 00:26:23,650
Randy Black:
The exiled king was not forgotten. The promise to David was not forgotten.

335
00:26:24,360 –> 00:26:28,110
Randy Black:
God’s redemptive plan was not forgotten.

336
00:26:28,730 –> 00:26:32,920
Randy Black:
All of it continued moving forward exactly as God had intended.

337
00:26:33,640 –> 00:26:36,680
Randy Black:
Yet Jehoiachin himself never lived to see the full outcome.

338
00:26:37,360 –> 00:26:41,790
Randy Black:
That reality is important because many faithful believers experience something very similar.

339
00:26:42,540 –> 00:26:47,400
Randy Black:
Parents spent years praying for children without immediately seeing results.

340
00:26:48,230 –> 00:26:53,640
Randy Black:
Pastors and teachers faithfully serve without always witnessing the full impact of their work.

341
00:26:54,420 –> 00:26:59,630
Randy Black:
Christians invest in ministries, relationships, and acts of service whose ultimate

342
00:26:59,630 –> 00:27:03,860
Randy Black:
influence may not become visible for many, many years.

343
00:27:04,800 –> 00:27:10,100
Randy Black:
Sometimes God allows us to see the fruit. Sometimes He does not.

344
00:27:11,130 –> 00:27:15,000
Randy Black:
Hebrews chapter 11 highlights numerous individuals who live by faith without

345
00:27:15,000 –> 00:27:17,350
Randy Black:
receiving every promise during their lifetime.

346
00:27:18,290 –> 00:27:23,620
Randy Black:
Verse 13 in that chapter says, These all died in faith, not having received

347
00:27:23,620 –> 00:27:26,450
Randy Black:
the promises, but having seen them afar off.

348
00:27:27,030 –> 00:27:31,580
Randy Black:
Their faith was not based upon immediate results. Their faith was based upon

349
00:27:31,580 –> 00:27:33,300
Randy Black:
confidence in God’s character.

350
00:27:33,950 –> 00:27:38,490
Randy Black:
That same principle applies to us today. Much of what God is accomplishing in

351
00:27:38,490 –> 00:27:41,330
Randy Black:
our lives may extend beyond what we can currently see.

352
00:27:42,120 –> 00:27:48,670
Randy Black:
A conversation may bear fruit years later. A prayer may be answered long after it was first offered.

353
00:27:49,350 –> 00:27:53,320
Randy Black:
An act of obedience may influence generations we will never meet.

354
00:27:54,470 –> 00:28:00,280
Randy Black:
The challenge for believers is learning to trust God with outcomes that remain beyond our view.

355
00:28:01,560 –> 00:28:06,560
Randy Black:
Romans chapter 8 verse 28 reminds us, and we know that all things work together

356
00:28:06,880 –> 00:28:12,370
Randy Black:
for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

357
00:28:13,760 –> 00:28:17,640
Randy Black:
Notice the scripture does not say we’ll immediately understand how all things

358
00:28:17,640 –> 00:28:21,660
Randy Black:
work together. It simply assures us that God is working.

359
00:28:22,490 –> 00:28:26,890
Randy Black:
That is exactly what Jehoiachin’s life demonstrates. For decades,

360
00:28:26,890 –> 00:28:28,860
Randy Black:
his circumstances suggested defeat.

361
00:28:29,420 –> 00:28:33,590
Randy Black:
Yet behind the scenes, God was preserving promises that would ultimately lead

362
00:28:33,590 –> 00:28:35,270
Randy Black:
to the coming of Christ himself.

363
00:28:35,760 –> 00:28:40,760
Randy Black:
His story reminds us that God’s plans are often much larger than our personal timeline.

364
00:28:41,270 –> 00:28:46,690
Randy Black:
And when we cannot see the entire picture, we can still trust the one who does.

365
00:28:48,740 –> 00:28:53,400
Randy Black:
While Jehoiachin’s story begins with loss, captivity, and uncertainty, it doesn’t end there.

366
00:28:54,210 –> 00:28:57,360
Randy Black:
In fact, one of the most encouraging aspects of his account is found near the

367
00:28:57,360 –> 00:28:59,250
Randy Black:
very end of the book of 2 Kings.

368
00:29:00,160 –> 00:29:03,510
Randy Black:
After recording the destruction of Jerusalem, the collapse of Judah,

369
00:29:03,830 –> 00:29:08,300
Randy Black:
and the hardships of exile, the book closes with an unexpected note of hope.

370
00:29:08,990 –> 00:29:14,210
Randy Black:
2 Kings 25, verses 27-30 again tells us,

371
00:29:14,830 –> 00:29:19,220
Randy Black:
And it came to pass in the seven and thirtieth year of the captivity of Jehoiachin

372
00:29:19,220 –> 00:29:24,150
Randy Black:
king of Judah that evil Merod king of Babylon did lift up the head of Jehoiachin

373
00:29:24,150 –> 00:29:25,940
Randy Black:
king of Judah out of prison.

374
00:29:26,900 –> 00:29:31,050
Randy Black:
And he spake kindly to him and set his throne above the throne of the kings

375
00:29:31,050 –> 00:29:33,030
Randy Black:
that were with him in Babylon.

376
00:29:34,400 –> 00:29:38,070
Randy Black:
The passage continues by explaining that Jehoiachin exchanged his prison garments

377
00:29:38,330 –> 00:29:42,820
Randy Black:
for royal clothing, and he ate regularly at the king’s table for the remainder of his life.

378
00:29:43,810 –> 00:29:47,410
Randy Black:
At first glance, this may seem like a minor historical detail,

379
00:29:47,990 –> 00:29:52,850
Randy Black:
but when we consider the broader context, it becomes a powerful reminder of God’s faithfulness.

380
00:29:53,520 –> 00:29:58,820
Randy Black:
Think about what had happened. Jehoiachin had spent 37 years in captivity.

381
00:29:59,410 –> 00:30:02,240
Randy Black:
37 years!

382
00:30:03,120 –> 00:30:07,370
Randy Black:
Many of us struggle to wait something as short as 37 days.

383
00:30:08,340 –> 00:30:15,450
Randy Black:
Some struggle to wait 37 months, but Jacoacan waited 37 years.

384
00:30:16,470 –> 00:30:21,460
Randy Black:
During those years, there were undoubtedly moments when he wondered what the future held.

385
00:30:22,220 –> 00:30:29,600
Randy Black:
There were likely days when it appeared that his story had been forgotten by everyone except God.

386
00:30:30,400 –> 00:30:33,910
Randy Black:
Entire generations grew up while he remained in Babylon.

387
00:30:34,530 –> 00:30:40,280
Randy Black:
Kings rose and fell, empires shifted, yet Jehoiachin remained a captive.

388
00:30:41,480 –> 00:30:46,080
Randy Black:
Then, after nearly four decades, everything changed.

389
00:30:46,850 –> 00:30:51,680
Randy Black:
The prison doors opened. The king was released. Favor was shown.

390
00:30:51,930 –> 00:30:54,160
Randy Black:
Hope appeared where none had seemed possible.

391
00:30:54,840 –> 00:31:00,220
Randy Black:
The timing is significant. God did not intervene according to human expectations.

392
00:31:00,750 –> 00:31:02,190
Randy Black:
The release did not occur after

393
00:31:02,190 –> 00:31:07,380
Randy Black:
a few months. It didn’t happen after a few years. It came after decades.

394
00:31:08,060 –> 00:31:14,930
Randy Black:
That reminds us of an important truth. God’s timing and our timing are often very, very different.

395
00:31:15,870 –> 00:31:17,750
Randy Black:
Naturally, we want immediate answers.

396
00:31:18,750 –> 00:31:25,910
Randy Black:
We prefer quick resolutions. We often pray and hope for God to act according to our schedule.

397
00:31:27,110 –> 00:31:31,980
Randy Black:
Yet scripture repeatedly teaches that God works according to his own perfect wisdom and timing.

398
00:31:32,880 –> 00:31:40,230
Randy Black:
Psalm 27 verses 13 and 14 says, I had fainted unless I had believed to see the

399
00:31:40,230 –> 00:31:42,900
Randy Black:
goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

400
00:31:43,700 –> 00:31:50,330
Randy Black:
Wait on the Lord, be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart. Wait, I say, on the Lord.

401
00:31:51,540 –> 00:31:54,210
Randy Black:
Waiting has always been one of the greatest challenges of faith.

402
00:31:55,140 –> 00:31:58,620
Randy Black:
It’s difficult to trust when we cannot see what God is doing.

403
00:31:59,490 –> 00:32:04,700
Randy Black:
It’s difficult to remain hopeful when circumstances remain unchanged.

404
00:32:05,480 –> 00:32:10,330
Randy Black:
And it’s difficult to believe that God is working when progress appears invisible.

405
00:32:11,410 –> 00:32:17,370
Randy Black:
Yet, that’s precisely the kind of faith that Scripture calls us to develop.

406
00:32:18,690 –> 00:32:23,200
Randy Black:
Jehoiachin’s release also serves another important purpose within the biblical narrative.

407
00:32:23,840 –> 00:32:29,970
Randy Black:
The final verses of 2 Kings are not simply telling us about one man’s improved circumstances.

408
00:32:30,620 –> 00:32:35,620
Randy Black:
They’re pointing us toward a larger reality. The Davidic line still existed.

409
00:32:36,430 –> 00:32:38,820
Randy Black:
The royal family had not disappeared.

410
00:32:39,750 –> 00:32:42,480
Randy Black:
God’s covenant promises had not failed.

411
00:32:43,420 –> 00:32:48,850
Randy Black:
The exile was not the end of the story. A descendant of David still lived,

412
00:32:48,850 –> 00:32:55,530
Randy Black:
a future remained, hope remained, and ultimately the Messiah would come exactly as God had promised.

413
00:32:56,450 –> 00:33:01,060
Randy Black:
What appeared to be a dying family line was actually a preserved family line.

414
00:33:01,940 –> 00:33:06,830
Randy Black:
What appeared to be a broken promise was actually a promise still in progress.

415
00:33:07,900 –> 00:33:13,220
Randy Black:
This principle extends far beyond Jehoiachin’s experience. Many believers experience

416
00:33:13,220 –> 00:33:14,880
Randy Black:
seasons that feel like exile.

417
00:33:15,840 –> 00:33:17,280
Randy Black:
Perhaps it’s a season of grief.

418
00:33:18,600 –> 00:33:23,440
Randy Black:
Maybe it’s a difficult illness. Maybe it’s unemployment, financial hardship,

419
00:33:23,440 –> 00:33:25,870
Randy Black:
family struggles, or unanswered prayers.

420
00:33:26,840 –> 00:33:32,280
Randy Black:
Sometimes life places us in situations where we would never have to choose for ourselves.

421
00:33:33,660 –> 00:33:40,170
Randy Black:
And during those seasons, it can be tempting to believe that hope has disappeared.

422
00:33:41,750 –> 00:33:46,220
Randy Black:
But Jehoiachin’s story reminds us that hope does not depend upon our circumstances.

423
00:33:46,890 –> 00:33:49,420
Randy Black:
Hope depends upon God’s character.

424
00:33:50,400 –> 00:33:53,270
Randy Black:
Circumstances change. God does not.

425
00:33:54,140 –> 00:33:59,800
Randy Black:
Situations shift. God remains faithful. Human plans fail.

426
00:34:00,650 –> 00:34:03,250
Randy Black:
God’s purposes continue moving forward.

427
00:34:04,240 –> 00:34:10,820
Randy Black:
Romans chapter 15 verse 13 says, Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and

428
00:34:10,820 –> 00:34:16,210
Randy Black:
peace in believing that ye may abound in hope through the power of the Holy Ghost.

429
00:34:17,510 –> 00:34:23,210
Randy Black:
Notice the scripture calls him the God of hope. Hope is not merely wishful thinking.

430
00:34:24,100 –> 00:34:30,449
Randy Black:
Biblical hope is confident expectation based upon the faithfulness of God.

431
00:34:32,430 –> 00:34:38,630
Randy Black:
It’s the conviction that God will keep promises even when we cannot yet see how.

432
00:34:39,880 –> 00:34:46,170
Randy Black:
That kind of hope sustained exiles. That kind of hope sustained the prophets.

433
00:34:47,460 –> 00:34:50,560
Randy Black:
And that kind of hope sustained faithful believers throughout Scripture.

434
00:34:51,080 –> 00:34:54,300
Randy Black:
And that same hope remains available to us today.

435
00:34:55,190 –> 00:34:59,310
Randy Black:
Jehoiachin’s life reminds us that exile is not always the end of the story.

436
00:35:00,160 –> 00:35:02,800
Randy Black:
Sometimes God’s still writing chapters that we cannot yet see.

437
00:35:03,670 –> 00:35:08,980
Randy Black:
Sometimes his answers arrive later than we expect. Sometimes his purposes unfold

438
00:35:08,980 –> 00:35:11,270
Randy Black:
more slowly than we would prefer.

439
00:35:12,400 –> 00:35:17,280
Randy Black:
But none of that changes his faithfulness. The final verses of 2 Kings leaves

440
00:35:17,280 –> 00:35:18,590
Randy Black:
us with a powerful message.

441
00:35:19,180 –> 00:35:20,750
Randy Black:
The king was still alive.

442
00:35:21,590 –> 00:35:27,660
Randy Black:
The promise was still alive. And God’s plan? Yeah, it was still alive.

443
00:35:28,520 –> 00:35:34,489
Randy Black:
That remains true for every believer who trusts in him No matter how long the

444
00:35:34,489 –> 00:35:40,330
Randy Black:
waiting season may be Hope can survive even in exile Because God remains faithful

445
00:35:40,330 –> 00:35:42,719
Randy Black:
to every promise that he has made.

446
00:35:44,920 –> 00:35:48,719
Randy Black:
As we begin applying Jehoiachin’s story to our own lives, it becomes clear that,

447
00:35:49,219 –> 00:35:55,430
Randy Black:
his experience is not simply a historical account about a king who lived thousands of years ago.

448
00:35:56,350 –> 00:36:02,199
Randy Black:
His story addresses a struggle that nearly every Christian faces at some point in life.

449
00:36:03,830 –> 00:36:11,370
Randy Black:
What do we do when God seems to be working according to a timeline that is very different from our own.

450
00:36:12,790 –> 00:36:19,140
Randy Black:
Most of us, again, we prefer quick answers. We pray and we hope for immediate solutions.

451
00:36:19,930 –> 00:36:24,219
Randy Black:
We want to see progress, resolution, and clear evidence that God’s moving,

452
00:36:24,910 –> 00:36:32,560
Randy Black:
yet many of the most significant periods of spiritual growth occur during the seasons of waiting.

453
00:36:34,320 –> 00:36:40,140
Randy Black:
Jehoiachin spent 37 years in captivity before experiencing a dramatic change in his circumstances.

454
00:36:40,540 –> 00:36:45,699
Randy Black:
During those years, there was no indication that his situation would have any signs of improvement.

455
00:36:46,290 –> 00:36:50,730
Randy Black:
Day after day, year after year, he lived in exile in a foreign land.

456
00:36:52,219 –> 00:36:57,530
Randy Black:
Many believers experience similar seasons. While our circumstances may not involve

457
00:36:57,530 –> 00:37:02,360
Randy Black:
literal imprisonment, we often encounter situations that feel like exile.

458
00:37:03,680 –> 00:37:06,449
Randy Black:
Perhaps you’re waiting for healing from an illness.

459
00:37:08,600 –> 00:37:11,900
Randy Black:
Perhaps you’re praying for a loved one to come to Christ.

460
00:37:12,949 –> 00:37:17,790
Randy Black:
Perhaps you’re seeking direction regarding your career or a ministry opportunity

461
00:37:18,230 –> 00:37:19,880
Randy Black:
or a major life decision.

462
00:37:21,670 –> 00:37:26,449
Randy Black:
Perhaps you’re carrying burdens that seem to have no immediate solution.

463
00:37:27,969 –> 00:37:32,140
Randy Black:
In those moments, it can be easy to become discouraged.

464
00:37:33,420 –> 00:37:36,739
Randy Black:
We may begin wondering whether God has heard our prayers.

465
00:37:38,160 –> 00:37:43,330
Randy Black:
We may start to question whether he’s still working we may even be tempted to

466
00:37:43,330 –> 00:37:47,530
Randy Black:
believe that our circumstances are defining our future.

467
00:37:49,320 –> 00:37:55,390
Randy Black:
Jehoiachin’s story challenges that mindset his circumstances were real but they

468
00:37:55,390 –> 00:37:59,610
Randy Black:
were not the whole story God was accomplishing things Jehoiachin could not fully

469
00:37:59,610 –> 00:38:02,600
Randy Black:
see the same may be true in our lives,

470
00:38:04,120 –> 00:38:09,140
Randy Black:
one practical application from this is learning to trust God’s character when

471
00:38:09,140 –> 00:38:10,750
Randy Black:
we cannot understand His plan.

472
00:38:11,680 –> 00:38:14,830
Randy Black:
Look at Proverbs chapter 3, verses 5 and 6.

473
00:38:15,410 –> 00:38:21,380
Randy Black:
It reminds us to trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding.

474
00:38:21,949 –> 00:38:25,750
Randy Black:
In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.

475
00:38:27,199 –> 00:38:30,850
Randy Black:
Notice that Scripture does not tell us to trust our understanding.

476
00:38:31,630 –> 00:38:33,770
Randy Black:
It tells us to trust the Lord.

477
00:38:34,800 –> 00:38:38,180
Randy Black:
There’s going to be seasons when God’s promises make perfect sense.

478
00:38:38,870 –> 00:38:41,590
Randy Black:
There’s going to be seasons when they don’t.

479
00:38:42,510 –> 00:38:45,870
Randy Black:
Faith means continuing to trust Him in both situations.

480
00:38:47,590 –> 00:38:52,390
Randy Black:
Another important application from this involves maintaining faithfulness during periods of waiting.

481
00:38:53,080 –> 00:38:57,870
Randy Black:
One of the dangers of prolonged difficulty is becoming spiritually passive.

482
00:38:58,840 –> 00:39:03,570
Randy Black:
When answers seem delayed, people sometimes stop praying or stop serving or

483
00:39:03,890 –> 00:39:06,910
Randy Black:
stop growing or stop expecting God to work.

484
00:39:07,980 –> 00:39:13,030
Randy Black:
Yet throughout scripture, faithful believers continued trusting God even when

485
00:39:13,030 –> 00:39:14,430
Randy Black:
fulfillment seemed distant.

486
00:39:15,710 –> 00:39:19,340
Randy Black:
Abraham waited years for the promised son.

487
00:39:20,420 –> 00:39:23,670
Randy Black:
Joseph waited years for deliverance from prison.

488
00:39:24,590 –> 00:39:29,130
Randy Black:
Daniel served faithfully during decades of exile. The prophets often waited

489
00:39:29,130 –> 00:39:31,170
Randy Black:
years to see God’s promises fulfilled.

490
00:39:31,900 –> 00:39:36,699
Randy Black:
Faithfulness during waiting is one of the clearest demonstrations of genuine faith.

491
00:39:37,550 –> 00:39:44,180
Randy Black:
Jehoiachin’s story also encourages us not to judge God’s activity solely by visible results.

492
00:39:44,699 –> 00:39:47,560
Randy Black:
Modern culture often focuses on measurable outcomes.

493
00:39:48,090 –> 00:39:51,219
Randy Black:
We want immediate evidence that our efforts are making a difference.

494
00:39:52,130 –> 00:39:57,120
Randy Black:
But God’s work frequently happens beneath the surface before it becomes visible.

495
00:39:58,040 –> 00:40:00,980
Randy Black:
A seed grows underground before it breaks through the soil.

496
00:40:01,920 –> 00:40:04,469
Randy Black:
A foundation is laid before a building rises.

497
00:40:05,610 –> 00:40:09,570
Randy Black:
Likewise, God is often working in ways we cannot immediately see.

498
00:40:10,640 –> 00:40:15,800
Randy Black:
The truth there applies to parenting. That truth applies to ministry.

499
00:40:15,989 –> 00:40:17,469
Randy Black:
It applies to discipleship.

500
00:40:17,840 –> 00:40:23,390
Randy Black:
It applies to prayer. It applies to nearly every aspect of the Christian life.

501
00:40:24,300 –> 00:40:29,330
Randy Black:
Just because we cannot see results today does not mean that God is inactive.

502
00:40:31,980 –> 00:40:36,840
Randy Black:
Another lesson from Jehoiachin involves understanding that our lives may be a

503
00:40:36,840 –> 00:40:39,150
Randy Black:
part of a larger story than what we realize.

504
00:40:40,130 –> 00:40:42,790
Randy Black:
Jehoiachin likely could not have imagined that centuries later,

505
00:40:42,790 –> 00:40:47,100
Randy Black:
his name would appear in the genealogy of the Messiah, of Jesus Christ.

506
00:40:47,960 –> 00:40:52,699
Randy Black:
Yet God was preserving something far greater than Jehoiachin’s personal ambitions.

507
00:40:53,430 –> 00:40:56,210
Randy Black:
God was preserving his redemptive plan for the world.

508
00:40:57,030 –> 00:41:01,130
Randy Black:
Likewise, we may not fully understand how God intends to use our obedience.

509
00:41:02,120 –> 00:41:06,960
Randy Black:
A prayer offered today may impact future generations. An act of kindness may

510
00:41:06,960 –> 00:41:09,340
Randy Black:
influence someone’s life in ways we never discover.

511
00:41:10,190 –> 00:41:14,830
Randy Black:
Faithful service today may bear fruit long after we are gone.

512
00:41:15,800 –> 00:41:20,230
Randy Black:
That reality should encourage us to remain faithful even when immediate results are not visible.

513
00:41:22,270 –> 00:41:27,460
Randy Black:
Finally, Jehoiachin’s story reminds us to place our hope in God’s promises rather

514
00:41:27,460 –> 00:41:28,870
Randy Black:
than our circumstances.

515
00:41:29,880 –> 00:41:33,480
Randy Black:
Circumstances change constantly. Health changes.

516
00:41:33,830 –> 00:41:38,280
Randy Black:
Finances change. Relationships change. Nations rise and fall.

517
00:41:39,050 –> 00:41:41,650
Randy Black:
But God’s promises remain secure.

518
00:41:42,530 –> 00:41:48,140
Randy Black:
Hebrews 10, verse 23 says, Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without

519
00:41:48,140 –> 00:41:50,969
Randy Black:
wavering, for He is faithful that promised.

520
00:41:51,940 –> 00:41:58,210
Randy Black:
Notice where our confidence rests. Not in circumstances, not in our feelings,

521
00:41:58,850 –> 00:42:00,400
Randy Black:
not in visible evidence.

522
00:42:01,120 –> 00:42:04,699
Randy Black:
Our confidence rests in the faithfulness of God.

523
00:42:05,770 –> 00:42:10,040
Randy Black:
As Christians, we will all experience seasons that feel uncertain.

524
00:42:10,830 –> 00:42:14,460
Randy Black:
There may be moments when answers seem delayed and God’s promises appear hidden.

525
00:42:14,949 –> 00:42:18,620
Randy Black:
When those seasons come, Remember Jehoiachin.

526
00:42:19,340 –> 00:42:23,410
Randy Black:
Remember that exile did not mean abandonment. Remember that waiting did not

527
00:42:23,410 –> 00:42:24,890
Randy Black:
mean God had stopped working.

528
00:42:25,600 –> 00:42:30,250
Randy Black:
And remember that the God who preserved his promises through decades of captivity

529
00:42:30,530 –> 00:42:34,239
Randy Black:
is still faithfully accomplishing his purposes today.

530
00:42:35,780 –> 00:42:38,949
Randy Black:
As we begin wrapping up today’s study, let’s review some of the important lessons

531
00:42:38,949 –> 00:42:41,030
Randy Black:
we can learn from Jehoiachin’s captivity.

532
00:42:41,810 –> 00:42:46,350
Randy Black:
First, God’s discipline should never be confused with God’s abandonment.

533
00:42:47,100 –> 00:42:51,420
Randy Black:
Judah experienced the consequences of disobedience, yet God continued watching

534
00:42:51,719 –> 00:42:55,199
Randy Black:
over his people and preserving his promises.

535
00:42:56,160 –> 00:43:00,610
Randy Black:
Second, our circumstances do not always reveal the full extent of God’s work.

536
00:43:01,140 –> 00:43:06,000
Randy Black:
What appeared to be defeat and failure was actually part of God’s larger plan of redemption.

537
00:43:07,050 –> 00:43:10,540
Randy Black:
Third, God’s purposes often unfold over long periods of time.

538
00:43:11,020 –> 00:43:14,920
Randy Black:
Jehoiachin’s life reminds us that God frequently works through years,

539
00:43:15,199 –> 00:43:18,300
Randy Black:
decades, and even generations to accomplish his will.

540
00:43:19,199 –> 00:43:25,090
Randy Black:
Fourth, faith requires trusting God’s character when his plans are not fully visible.

541
00:43:25,550 –> 00:43:30,170
Randy Black:
We may not always understand what God is doing, but we can trust the one who

542
00:43:30,170 –> 00:43:31,489
Randy Black:
sees the entire picture.

543
00:43:32,840 –> 00:43:36,480
Randy Black:
Fifth, waiting is not wasted when it is placed in God’s hands.

544
00:43:36,900 –> 00:43:42,000
Randy Black:
Seasons of delay can become seasons of growth, preparation, and spiritual maturity.

545
00:43:42,800 –> 00:43:46,150
Randy Black:
Sixth, hope can survive even in exile.

546
00:43:46,910 –> 00:43:52,010
Randy Black:
No matter how difficult circumstances may become, God’s faithfulness remains unchanged.

547
00:43:53,180 –> 00:43:57,489
Randy Black:
And finally, God’s promises are greater than our present circumstances.

548
00:43:57,980 –> 00:44:01,750
Randy Black:
The captivity of Jehoiachin could not cancel God’s covenant with David,

549
00:44:02,120 –> 00:44:08,100
Randy Black:
and nothing, nothing can prevent God from accomplishing his purposes according to his perfect will.

550
00:44:09,040 –> 00:44:14,260
Randy Black:
Jehoiachin’s story reminds us that God’s plans are often larger than what we can see in the moment.

551
00:44:14,870 –> 00:44:18,090
Randy Black:
When circumstances appear uncertain and answers seem delayed,

552
00:44:18,500 –> 00:44:23,120
Randy Black:
we can continue trusting that God is still working, still faithful,

553
00:44:23,440 –> 00:44:25,560
Randy Black:
and still moving his purposes forward.

554
00:44:27,270 –> 00:44:31,250
Randy Black:
As we close out today, I want to encourage you to spend a few moments reflecting

555
00:44:31,250 –> 00:44:34,680
Randy Black:
on Jehoiachin’s story and what it may reveal about your own walk with God.

556
00:44:35,489 –> 00:44:39,000
Randy Black:
One of the most difficult aspects of Jehoiachin’s experience was the waiting.

557
00:44:39,880 –> 00:44:43,330
Randy Black:
He was carried away into exile as a young king and remained in captivity for

558
00:44:43,330 –> 00:44:46,130
Randy Black:
37 years before his circumstances changed.

559
00:44:46,730 –> 00:44:50,199
Randy Black:
During that time, there must have been moments when it seemed that nothing was happening.

560
00:44:50,699 –> 00:44:55,760
Randy Black:
Days became months. Months became years. Years became decades.

561
00:44:56,699 –> 00:45:00,540
Randy Black:
Yet God was still working. The same is often true in our own lives.

562
00:45:01,020 –> 00:45:05,840
Randy Black:
Are there areas where you have become discouraged because God’s timing has not

563
00:45:05,840 –> 00:45:07,449
Randy Black:
matched your expectations?

564
00:45:08,350 –> 00:45:11,110
Randy Black:
Perhaps there’s a prayer that you’ve been praying for years.

565
00:45:11,510 –> 00:45:16,070
Randy Black:
Maybe there’s a burden you continue carrying, a situation you wish would change,

566
00:45:16,510 –> 00:45:18,719
Randy Black:
or an answer you’ve not yet received.

567
00:45:19,930 –> 00:45:23,100
Randy Black:
Have you begun to view God’s delay? as God’s absence?

568
00:45:24,310 –> 00:45:27,980
Randy Black:
Jehoiachin’s story reminds us that God may still be working even when we cannot

569
00:45:27,980 –> 00:45:29,770
Randy Black:
see immediate evidence of his actions.

570
00:45:31,070 –> 00:45:35,520
Randy Black:
It’s also worth considering how much of your peace depends upon your circumstances.

571
00:45:36,500 –> 00:45:43,680
Randy Black:
When life’s going well, it’s easy to trust God. But what happens when circumstances become uncertain?

572
00:45:44,420 –> 00:45:49,469
Randy Black:
What happens when plans fall apart? What happens when doors close instead of opening?

573
00:45:50,239 –> 00:45:53,800
Randy Black:
What happens when the future looks very different from what you expected?

574
00:45:54,820 –> 00:45:58,590
Randy Black:
Are you trusting God because you understand everything he’s doing or because

575
00:45:58,590 –> 00:46:01,360
Randy Black:
you trust his character even when you do not understand?

576
00:46:02,190 –> 00:46:05,760
Randy Black:
Jehoiachin had no way of seeing the picture that God was unfolding,

577
00:46:06,500 –> 00:46:12,790
Randy Black:
yet God’s faithfulness did not depend upon his ability to understand it. The same is true for us.

578
00:46:14,110 –> 00:46:17,860
Randy Black:
Another question worth considering is whether you’ve allowed disappointment to weaken your hope.

579
00:46:18,690 –> 00:46:22,820
Randy Black:
Sometimes unanswered prayers, prolonged difficulties, and seasons of waiting

580
00:46:22,820 –> 00:46:24,630
Randy Black:
can slowly erode our confidence.

581
00:46:25,540 –> 00:46:31,239
Randy Black:
We may continue going through the motions of faith while we quietly are wondering

582
00:46:31,580 –> 00:46:32,900
Randy Black:
if things will ever change.

583
00:46:34,060 –> 00:46:38,590
Randy Black:
Have you allowed discouragement to replace hope? Have you stopped expecting

584
00:46:38,590 –> 00:46:43,310
Randy Black:
God to work because the answer has taken longer than you expected?

585
00:46:44,170 –> 00:46:48,390
Randy Black:
If so, remember that God’s promises are not limited by human timelines.

586
00:46:49,199 –> 00:46:52,590
Randy Black:
What feels delayed to us is never delayed to Him.

587
00:46:53,410 –> 00:46:57,400
Randy Black:
It’s also important to reflect on whether you’re focusing more on what God has

588
00:46:57,400 –> 00:47:00,380
Randy Black:
not yet done than what He has already done.

589
00:47:01,290 –> 00:47:06,070
Randy Black:
One of the enemy’s most effective tactics is to draw our attention entirely

590
00:47:06,070 –> 00:47:09,230
Randy Black:
toward what is missing, unanswered, or unresolved.

591
00:47:10,090 –> 00:47:14,060
Randy Black:
Yet throughout Scripture, God’s people were repeatedly instructed to remember

592
00:47:14,300 –> 00:47:18,940
Randy Black:
His faithfulness, remember His provision, remember His promises,

593
00:47:19,320 –> 00:47:20,949
Randy Black:
remember His past works.

594
00:47:21,460 –> 00:47:26,080
Randy Black:
When we remember what God has already done, we are often strengthened to trust

595
00:47:26,080 –> 00:47:27,780
Randy Black:
Him with what He has not yet done.

596
00:47:28,830 –> 00:47:34,550
Randy Black:
Finally, consider this question. If God is accomplishing purposes in your life

597
00:47:34,550 –> 00:47:38,420
Randy Black:
that you cannot currently see, are you willing to trust Him anyway?

598
00:47:39,680 –> 00:47:42,570
Randy Black:
That is ultimately the challenge presented by Jehoiachin’s story.

599
00:47:43,440 –> 00:47:46,000
Randy Black:
Will we trust God only when His plans make sense?

600
00:47:46,780 –> 00:47:49,180
Randy Black:
Or will we trust Him because He is faithful?

601
00:47:50,500 –> 00:47:54,440
Randy Black:
Will we trust Him only when answers come quickly, or will we trust Him even

602
00:47:54,440 –> 00:47:56,440
Randy Black:
during the long seasons of waiting?

603
00:47:57,320 –> 00:48:02,560
Randy Black:
Will we trust Him only when circumstances seem favorable, or will we trust Him

604
00:48:02,810 –> 00:48:05,120
Randy Black:
even when life feels like exile?

605
00:48:06,310 –> 00:48:11,860
Randy Black:
This week, I want to encourage you to spend some time in prayer and honest reflection before the Lord.

606
00:48:12,770 –> 00:48:14,469
Randy Black:
Ask Him to strengthen your faith.

607
00:48:15,719 –> 00:48:20,860
Randy Black:
Ask Him to help you trust his timing. Ask him to renew your hope in areas where

608
00:48:20,860 –> 00:48:26,000
Randy Black:
discouragement may have taken root, and ask him to remind you that his plans

609
00:48:26,000 –> 00:48:28,680
Randy Black:
are often greater than what you can presently see.

610
00:48:29,860 –> 00:48:32,170
Randy Black:
Jehoiachin’s story teaches that

611
00:48:32,170 –> 00:48:36,760
Randy Black:
God will still be working during the years when he has appeared silent.

612
00:48:37,630 –> 00:48:41,140
Randy Black:
Perhaps he’s doing the same right now in your life.

613
00:48:41,430 –> 00:48:45,620
Randy Black:
And before we close out today’s study, I want to leave you with one final encouragement

614
00:48:46,020 –> 00:48:47,320
Randy Black:
from Jehoiachin’s story.

615
00:48:48,330 –> 00:48:51,610
Randy Black:
There are seasons in life when it feels as though God has forgotten us.

616
00:48:52,270 –> 00:48:54,690
Randy Black:
We pray, but the answer does not come.

617
00:48:55,550 –> 00:49:03,360
Randy Black:
We wait, but the circumstances don’t change. We trust, yet the path ahead remains unclear.

618
00:49:04,530 –> 00:49:08,969
Randy Black:
During those moments, it can be tempting to believe that God is inactive simply

619
00:49:08,969 –> 00:49:10,930
Randy Black:
because his work is not immediately visible.

620
00:49:12,090 –> 00:49:16,940
Randy Black:
But Jehoiachin’s story reminds us that God’s faithfulness is not measured by

621
00:49:16,940 –> 00:49:19,610
Randy Black:
how quickly he acts according to our expectations.

622
00:49:20,670 –> 00:49:26,820
Randy Black:
For 37 years, Jehoiachin lived in captivity. 37 years is a long time to wait.

623
00:49:27,710 –> 00:49:33,290
Randy Black:
It’s long enough for hope to fade away. Long enough for discouragement to settle in.

624
00:49:33,770 –> 00:49:36,840
Randy Black:
Long enough for people to conclude that nothing will ever change.

625
00:49:38,110 –> 00:49:43,500
Randy Black:
Yet God had not forgotten him. The Lord had not forgotten his covenant with David.

626
00:49:44,150 –> 00:49:50,100
Randy Black:
The Lord had not forgotten his people. And the Lord had not forgotten his larger plan of redemption.

627
00:49:51,150 –> 00:49:55,000
Randy Black:
When the time was right, God opened a door that no one else could have opened.

628
00:49:55,900 –> 00:49:59,550
Randy Black:
What appeared impossible suddenly became reality.

629
00:50:00,480 –> 00:50:04,670
Randy Black:
The prisoner was released. The forgotten king was remembered.

630
00:50:05,250 –> 00:50:09,150
Randy Black:
And a glimpse of hope appeared after decades of uncertainty.

631
00:50:10,460 –> 00:50:15,080
Randy Black:
Perhaps there’s listeners today who feel as though they’re living through their own season of exile.

632
00:50:15,920 –> 00:50:19,030
Randy Black:
Maybe you’re carrying a burden that seems heavier than it was a year ago.

633
00:50:19,560 –> 00:50:22,850
Randy Black:
Maybe you’re facing a challenge that’s lasted far longer than you expected.

634
00:50:23,989 –> 00:50:27,540
Randy Black:
Maybe you’re struggling to understand why God has not answered a prayer that

635
00:50:27,540 –> 00:50:28,930
Randy Black:
is deeply important to you.

636
00:50:30,000 –> 00:50:33,140
Randy Black:
If that describes you, I want to encourage you with this truth.

637
00:50:34,080 –> 00:50:37,390
Randy Black:
God’s silence does not mean God’s absence.

638
00:50:38,469 –> 00:50:41,750
Randy Black:
God’s delay does not mean God’s denial.

639
00:50:42,600 –> 00:50:47,400
Randy Black:
And God’s timing is never an indication that he’s forgotten his promises.

640
00:50:48,340 –> 00:50:54,180
Randy Black:
The same God who watched over Jehoiachin in Babylon is watching over his people today.

641
00:50:54,910 –> 00:50:59,020
Randy Black:
The same God who preserved the line of David through years of exile is still

642
00:50:59,020 –> 00:51:01,200
Randy Black:
accomplishing his purposes in our lives.

643
00:51:01,940 –> 00:51:06,660
Randy Black:
The same God who remained faithful in the darkest chapters of Judah’s history,

644
00:51:07,250 –> 00:51:10,990
Randy Black:
remains faithful in every circumstance that we face.

645
00:51:12,120 –> 00:51:15,740
Randy Black:
Romans chapter 8, verse 28 reminds us of this.

646
00:51:16,400 –> 00:51:20,350
Randy Black:
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God,

647
00:51:20,660 –> 00:51:23,190
Randy Black:
to them who are the called according to his purpose.

648
00:51:24,290 –> 00:51:27,380
Randy Black:
Notice the scripture. It doesn’t say that all things are good.

649
00:51:28,430 –> 00:51:35,480
Randy Black:
Exile was not good. Captivity, it was not good. Loss and suffering, they’re not good.

650
00:51:36,330 –> 00:51:41,700
Randy Black:
But God is able to work through even the most difficult circumstances to accomplish his purposes.

651
00:51:42,490 –> 00:51:49,020
Randy Black:
That was true for Jehoiachin. It was true for the exiles, and it remains true for us today.

652
00:51:49,870 –> 00:51:53,850
Randy Black:
So if you find yourself in a season of waiting, do not give up.

653
00:51:54,800 –> 00:52:02,540
Randy Black:
Continue praying. Continue trusting. Continue obeying. Continue placing your hope in the Lord.

654
00:52:03,390 –> 00:52:08,530
Randy Black:
You may not be able to see everything God’s doing today, but that doesn’t mean He’s not working.

655
00:52:09,370 –> 00:52:14,460
Randy Black:
One day, whether in this life or the next, you will discover that God’s faithfulness

656
00:52:14,460 –> 00:52:21,610
Randy Black:
never failed, that his promises never changed, and that his purposes were moving forward all along.

657
00:52:22,590 –> 00:52:29,430
Randy Black:
Jehoiachin’s story reminds us that even in exile, hope remains alive because God remains faithful.

658
00:52:31,000 –> 00:52:36,010
Randy Black:
Let’s close out in prayer. Heavenly Father, we thank you once again for the

659
00:52:36,010 –> 00:52:40,510
Randy Black:
opportunity to study your word and reflect upon the life of Jehoiachin today.

660
00:52:41,360 –> 00:52:47,240
Randy Black:
Lord, thank you for the reminder that your faithfulness does not depend upon our circumstances.

661
00:52:48,000 –> 00:52:51,870
Randy Black:
Help us to trust you during seasons of waiting, uncertainty, and disappointment.

662
00:52:52,490 –> 00:52:57,060
Randy Black:
Strengthen our faith when answers seem delayed and when your plans are difficult to understand.

663
00:52:58,350 –> 00:53:02,460
Randy Black:
Teach us to rely upon your promises rather than our own understanding.

664
00:53:03,370 –> 00:53:08,550
Randy Black:
Help us to remember that you are always at work even when we cannot see what you’re doing.

665
00:53:09,410 –> 00:53:14,180
Randy Black:
Give us patience to wait upon your timing and confidence that your purposes are always good.

666
00:53:14,950 –> 00:53:17,880
Randy Black:
We pray for those who may be facing difficult seasons right now.

667
00:53:18,260 –> 00:53:21,240
Randy Black:
Encourage those who are discouraged. Strengthen those who are weary.

668
00:53:21,600 –> 00:53:26,170
Randy Black:
Comfort those who are hurting and remind each of us that you have not forgotten, your people.

669
00:53:27,140 –> 00:53:32,390
Randy Black:
Help us to remain faithful, hopeful, and obedient as we follow you day by day.

670
00:53:33,140 –> 00:53:37,800
Randy Black:
We thank you for your love, your mercy, and your unchanging faithfulness.

671
00:53:38,450 –> 00:53:41,520
Randy Black:
We ask all these things in the name of your Son, Jesus. Amen.

672
00:53:43,300 –> 00:53:46,180
Randy Black:
I want to take a moment and thank each of you for continuing to be a part of

673
00:53:46,180 –> 00:53:48,050
Randy Black:
the Bible Bytes community and for

674
00:53:48,050 –> 00:53:51,150
Randy Black:
joining me as we continue this series on people in the Bible in prison.

675
00:53:51,970 –> 00:53:55,500
Randy Black:
One of the lessons we learned from Jehoiachin’s story is that seasons of waiting

676
00:53:55,500 –> 00:53:59,260
Randy Black:
can be some of the most challenging experiences in the Christian life.

677
00:53:59,920 –> 00:54:02,910
Randy Black:
When answers seem delayed and circumstances remain uncertain,

678
00:54:03,400 –> 00:54:06,530
Randy Black:
it’s easy to become discouraged and feel isolated in our struggles.

679
00:54:07,130 –> 00:54:10,010
Randy Black:
It’s one of the reasons why Christian community is so important.

680
00:54:11,020 –> 00:54:15,530
Randy Black:
God never intended for believers to walk through difficult seasons alone.

681
00:54:16,730 –> 00:54:20,410
Randy Black:
Through the encouragement of fellow Christians, the teaching of God’s Word,

682
00:54:20,680 –> 00:54:24,740
Randy Black:
and the support of a faith-filled community, we’re reminded that God’s promises

683
00:54:24,740 –> 00:54:27,650
Randy Black:
remain true even when life becomes difficult.

684
00:54:28,800 –> 00:54:32,830
Randy Black:
If today’s episode encouraged you, I would encourage you to then share it with

685
00:54:32,830 –> 00:54:36,960
Randy Black:
someone who may be going through a season of waiting, disappointment, or uncertainty.

686
00:54:37,640 –> 00:54:41,100
Randy Black:
Perhaps you know someone who’s struggling to understand what God’s doing in their life right now.

687
00:54:41,490 –> 00:54:47,110
Randy Black:
A simple act of sharing biblical encouragement can often make a greater difference than we ever realize.

688
00:54:47,970 –> 00:54:51,800
Randy Black:
I also want to thank those of you who continue praying for this ministry and

689
00:54:51,800 –> 00:54:54,180
Randy Black:
supporting the work that goes into producing these episodes.

690
00:54:54,650 –> 00:54:59,310
Randy Black:
Your prayers, encouragement, messages, and support help make Bible Bytes possible,

691
00:54:59,830 –> 00:55:03,090
Randy Black:
and allow these studies to continue reaching listeners around the world.

692
00:55:04,070 –> 00:55:07,350
Randy Black:
And if you’d like to support Bible Bytes financially, you can visit the support

693
00:55:07,350 –> 00:55:10,200
Randy Black:
page at bible-bytes.com support.

694
00:55:10,660 –> 00:55:14,970
Randy Black:
That’s bible-bytes with a y, b-y-t-e-s.com support.

695
00:55:15,420 –> 00:55:18,120
Randy Black:
And there you can find several ways to support this ministry,

696
00:55:18,440 –> 00:55:21,730
Randy Black:
including PayPal, Venmo, Apple Pay, and other available options.

697
00:55:22,380 –> 00:55:26,750
Randy Black:
Every prayer, every shared episode, and every act of support helps to continue

698
00:55:26,750 –> 00:55:29,460
Randy Black:
working to inspire faith one bite at a time.

699
00:55:29,950 –> 00:55:33,640
Randy Black:
And as always, thank you for being a part of the Bible Bytes community.

700
00:55:35,400 –> 00:55:39,080
Randy Black:
Thank you again for joining me for episode 96 of Bible Bytes.

701
00:55:39,680 –> 00:55:42,720
Randy Black:
As we’ve seen throughout today’s study, Jehoiachin’s story reminds us that God’s

702
00:55:42,720 –> 00:55:46,070
Randy Black:
purposes are often much larger than what we can see in the moment.

703
00:55:47,030 –> 00:55:50,900
Randy Black:
Although he lost his throne, he endured years of captivity, and he experienced

704
00:55:50,900 –> 00:55:55,670
Randy Black:
circumstances that must have seemed hopeless at times, God had not forgotten him.

705
00:55:56,480 –> 00:55:59,770
Randy Black:
Most importantly, God had not forgotten his promises.

706
00:56:00,540 –> 00:56:04,420
Randy Black:
What appeared to be a defeated king sitting in a Babylonian prison was actually

707
00:56:04,420 –> 00:56:07,520
Randy Black:
a small part of God’s unfolding plan of redemption.

708
00:56:08,260 –> 00:56:12,130
Randy Black:
Even during decades of waiting, God was preserving the Davidic line,

709
00:56:12,130 –> 00:56:17,600
Randy Black:
protecting his covenant promises, and moving history toward the coming of Jesus Christ.

710
00:56:18,500 –> 00:56:22,340
Randy Black:
Jehoiachin’s life reminds us that we do not have to understand everything God

711
00:56:22,340 –> 00:56:23,690
Randy Black:
is doing in order to trust him.

712
00:56:24,300 –> 00:56:27,440
Randy Black:
When circumstances seem confusing, when answers seem delayed,

713
00:56:27,670 –> 00:56:32,490
Randy Black:
and when hope feels difficult to maintain, we can rest in the knowledge that God remains faithful.

714
00:56:32,850 –> 00:56:36,440
Randy Black:
His plans are still moving forward, his promises are still secure,

715
00:56:36,950 –> 00:56:41,660
Randy Black:
and his purposes are still being accomplished according to his perfect wisdom and timing.

716
00:56:42,160 –> 00:56:46,030
Randy Black:
I hope today’s episode has encouraged you to trust God’s character when his

717
00:56:46,030 –> 00:56:49,280
Randy Black:
plans are not fully visible, to remain faithful

718
00:56:49,620 –> 00:56:54,610
Randy Black:
during seasons of waiting, and remember that hope can survive even in exile

719
00:56:54,830 –> 00:56:57,520
Randy Black:
because God never abandons his people.

720
00:56:59,100 –> 00:57:02,090
Randy Black:
Next time, we’re going to continue our series on people in the Bible in prison

721
00:57:02,340 –> 00:57:06,150
Randy Black:
by turning our attention to the final king of Judah, Zedekiah.

722
00:57:07,270 –> 00:57:10,780
Randy Black:
Unlike Jehoiachin, Zedekiah was

723
00:57:10,780 –> 00:57:14,280
Randy Black:
given opportunities to heed God’s warning through the prophet Jeremiah.

724
00:57:14,840 –> 00:57:20,170
Randy Black:
Yet fear, political pressure, and a reluctance to fully obey God led him down

725
00:57:20,170 –> 00:57:22,150
Randy Black:
a path that ended in tragedy.

726
00:57:22,980 –> 00:57:27,520
Randy Black:
After witnessing the fall of Jerusalem, Zedekiah was captured by the Babylonians,

727
00:57:27,520 –> 00:57:32,990
Randy Black:
forced to watch the execution of his sons, blinded and carried away as a prisoner.

728
00:57:33,970 –> 00:57:38,780
Randy Black:
His story serves as a sobering reminder that leadership carries responsibility,

729
00:57:39,030 –> 00:57:40,700
Randy Black:
that fear can lead us away from

730
00:57:40,700 –> 00:57:46,090
Randy Black:
obedience, and that our choices have consequences far beyond ourselves.

731
00:57:47,250 –> 00:57:52,050
Randy Black:
Join us for episode 97, Leadership, Fear, and Accountability,

732
00:57:52,400 –> 00:57:55,660
Randy Black:
as we explore what Zedekiah’s downfall can teach us about courage,

733
00:57:55,890 –> 00:58:01,320
Randy Black:
obedience, responsibility, and the importance of trusting God rather than yielding to fear.

734
00:58:02,380 –> 00:58:06,000
Randy Black:
Until next time, this is Randy Black reminding you to keep studying God’s Word,

735
00:58:06,100 –> 00:58:09,320
Randy Black:
keep growing in your faith, and keep looking to Christ.

736
00:58:09,790 –> 00:58:11,030
Randy Black:
Thank you for listening to Bible

737
00:58:11,030 –> 00:58:15,060
Randy Black:
Bytes, where we continue to work to inspire faith one bite at a time.