21 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the L0RD, when King Zedekiah sent to Him Pashhur the son of Malchiah and Zephaniah the priest, the son of Maaseiah, saying, 2 “Inquire of the LORD for us, for Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon is making war against us. Perhaps the LORD will deal with us according to all His wonderful deeds and will make him withdraw from us.” ~ Jeremiah 21:1-2
Although King Zedekiah was not an openly wicked king who led Judah into blatant idolatry, nor was he violently hostile to God’s prophets, as some of Judah’s earlier kings were, he did continue the pattern of idolatry and disobedience established by the kings before him. His legacy was one of weak leadership and fear of his officials, leading him to disobey God. He feared people more than he feared God. And although he would not stand up for, nor defend Jeremiah, the prophet, he often consulted with him, and moved him to a better prison. He broke the covenant that he had made with Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, who had placed him on the throne, probably out of fear and intimidation of his officials. God considered Zedekiah’s covenant-breaking a grave offense against Him, as God considered it His covenant. Now, even though Jeremiah warned Zedekiah and his officials to surrender to the Babylonians so that they and the people might live, and they outright refused, God still let Zedekiah inquire of Him.
Isn’t that how it is with us? We rebel against God, wanting our own way, or because we don’t want people to think that we are weak, and having to depend on God. Sometimes we get so busy that we don’t pray as we ought because of one reason or another. Yet God is still a good, good God, not wanting any to perish, but to be obedient. Paul said in 2 Timothy 2:13 that “If we are faithless, He [God], remains faithful; for He cannot deny Himself.” That is good news for us, though we are selfish and unworthy of all of God’s love and goodness, still He chooses to lavish salvation on us, something that we cannot afford for ourselves, and He gives without measure, loves without ceasing, forgives without hesitation, and holds us fast, because of who He is— faithful, immutable, and unable to deny Himself. God is a good, good God.
Father, thank You for being so, so good to us, even when we do not deserve it. Even when we ignore You, You will never ignore us. Thank You for the free gift of salvation that You have lavished on us, not sparing Your Son, but giving even Your beloved Son as a sacrifice so that we might have life. Thank You Father for giving. Thank You, LORD Jesus, for coming and for dying for a lost and broken world, in Jesus’ Name, amen.