"Opportunity Lost"

Scripture Passage

2 Chronicles 36:1-4; 2 Kings 23:31-37; 2 Chronicles 36:5; Jeremiah 22:1-23; Jeremiah 26:1-24; 2 Kings 24:1-4; Jeremiah 25:1-14

Scripture Focus

He says, ‘I will build a magnificent palace
     with huge rooms and many windows.
I will panel it throughout with fragrant cedar
     and paint it a lovely red.’
But a beautiful cedar palace does not make a great king!
     Your father, Josiah, also had plenty to eat and drink.
But he was just and right in all his dealings.
     That is why God blessed him.
                                       (Jeremiah 22:14-15 NLT)

Observation

“He” in the passage above refers to Jehoiakim, the man named as Judah’s ruler by Neco, King of Egypt, who had conquered Judah. As king, though I’m sure his powers were limited, Jehoiakim still had an opportunity to serve the people of Judah by providing honest, godly leadership. Instead, Jehoiakim chose to exploit the people, surrounding himself with trappings of royalty far exceeding either the significance of his reign or the ability of the nation to sustain such opulence. By using forced labor to build his palace, Jeremiah says, Jehoiakim “builds injustice into its walls” (Jeremiah 22:13 NLT). And in one of the most colorful declarations from Scripture, Jeremiah promises that, because of this exploitive behavior, Jehoiakim will be “buried like a dead donkey—dragged out of Jerusalem and dumped outside the gates” (Jeremiah 22:19 NLT).

For Jeremiah, everything about Jehoiakim stands in contrast to his father, Josiah, who “was just and right in all his dealings. That is why God blessed him” (Jeremiah 22:15 NLT).

He gave justice and help to the poor and needy,
     and everything went well for him.
                          (Jeremiah 22:16 NLT)

My heart is reminded today that truly “knowing God” goes further than just skin deep—that it’s about so much more than religious behavior; it’s about just behavior—righteous behavior—behavior that seeks to accomplish the same sorts of things Jesus came to accomplish. Specifically, Jesus said this:

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
     because he has anointed me
     to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
     and recovery of sight for the blind,
     to release the oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
                                (Luke 4:18 NIV)

Today I’m asking myself what I’m doing with the opportunities I’ve been given. Am I using them to exploit others for my own comfort, convenience and conceit, or am I giving justice and help to the poor and needy? Jeremiah says it plainly enough:

"Isn’t that what it means to know me?”
     says the LORD.  (Jeremiah 22:16 NLT)

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