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Jeremiah 52 (ESV)
28 This is the number of the people whom Nebuchadnezzar carried away captive: in the seventh year, 3,023 Judeans; 29 in the eighteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar he carried away captive from Jerusalem 832 persons; 30 in the twenty-third year of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away captive of the Judeans 745 persons; all the persons were 4,600.
31 And in the thirty-seventh year of the exile of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, on the twenty-fifth day of the month, Evil-merodach king of Babylon, in the year that he began to reign, graciously freed Jehoiachin king of Judah and brought him out of prison. 32 And he spoke kindly to him and gave him a seat above the seats of the kings who were with him in Babylon. 33 So Jehoiachin put off his prison garments. And every day of his life he dined regularly at the king’s table, 34 and for his allowance, a regular allowance was given him by the king, according to his daily needs, until the day of his death, as long as he lived.
REFLECTION:
The king of Babylon treated Jehoiachin kindly, took him out of prison in 561 BC, and let him eat with the king of Babylon. Jehoiachin was treated kindly not by accidental luck, but by God’s unchanging promise. God continued to treat King David’s descendants with love, even on the day of their captivity. In the eyes of the world, Jeremiah’s life is not at all successful. He has neither money nor family and friends. Although he has repeatedly prophesied that his country will be perished, the capital will be sabotaged by the enemy, and the temple will be destroyed, but no political or religious leader listens to his advice, and people do not support or obey him. However, when we look back on history, we can clearly see that this weeping prophet successfully fulfilled the mission entrusted to him by God in his life. Success is not measured by popularity, reputation or wealth, because these things are fleeting. Take the King Zedekiah as an example. He only sought personal gain and achievement, and ended up with nothing. God measures success by obedience, loyalty, and righteousness. If we can fulfill God’s commission to us faithfully and unswervingly throughout our lives, we will be successful people in God’s eyes. Pray that every brother and sister will become such a person.
PRAYER:
Pray for God to lead you and make you understand His commission to your life; whether this commission is great or humble in the eyes of people, ask God to give you a loyal and courageous heart so that you can dedicate your time and strength in your whole life to accomplish the mission God ordained you.
HYMN:
I Surrender All – youtu.be/iu7UwhTwF0c
