Jeremiah 21-22
As Search the Scriptures notes, today’s reading mentions each of the last five Kings of Judah:
- Josiah
- See II Kings 21:24-23:30 and II Chronicles 33:25-35:27
- Today: Jeremiah 22:15-16
- One of the best kings, Josiah does what is right, initiating massive reforms to purge the kingdom of all the evil ways of his predecessors, particularly his grandfather, Manasseh
- Jehoahaz/Shallum
- See II Kings 23:30-33 and II Chronicles 36:1-4
- Today: Jeremiah 22:10-12
- Son of Josiah
- Jehoiakim/Eliakim
- See II Kings 23:34-24:6 and II Chronicles 36:5-8
- Today: Jeremiah 22:13-19
- Son of Josiah
- Jehoiachin/Jeconiah/Coniah
- See II Kings 24:6-17; 25:27-30 and II Chronicles 36:8-10
- Today: Jeremiah 22:24-30
- Son of Jehoiakim; grandson of Josiah
- Zedekiah
- See II Kings 24:17-25:7 and II Chronicles 36:10-16
- Today: Jeremiah 21
- Son of Josiah
Despite Josiah’s good reign and all his reforms, his sons and grandson all revert to evil, stubbornly refusing to listen to Jeremiah and bringing the LORD’s judgment upon themselves and the Kingdom of Judah.
Just look at how the LORD contrasts Josiah with any of his sons:
Do you think you are a king
Jeremiah 22:15-17
because you compete in cedar?
Did not your father [Josiah] eat and drink
and do justice and righteousness?
Then it was well with him.
He judged the cause of the poor and needy;
then it was well.
Is not this to know me?
declares the LORD.
But you have eyes and heart
only for your dishonest gain,
for shedding innocent blood,
and for practicing oppression and violence.
So which path are you on? Are you listening to the voice of the LORD and doing what is right and just? Or are you going your own way?
See also: July 23 (2023) / Jeremiah 10:17-25; 21:1-22:9; 34; 46:13-28.