Zedekiah alias Mattaniah was the son of Josiah and the uncle of Jehoiachin. He was the twentieth and the last king of Judah. During Jehoiachin’s reign, Nebuchadnezzar captured Jerusalem, looted the Temple, deported the King, and made Zedekiah the king in 597 BC. After nine years, Zedekiah rebelled against Babylon.
Jeremiah’s advice: Babylonians besieged Jerusalem, Jeremiah advised Zedekiah to surrender, and the Lord promised that he would die in peace. (Jeremiah 34:1-7) God’s punishment on the kingdom was irrevocable, surrender was the only option.
The covenant is broken: Zedekiah made a covenant with people and set all male and female slaves free. However, they were again enslaved. God said through Jeremiah: Because Zedekiah and his leaders did not set slaves at liberty, God will give them liberty to be killed by sword, pestilence, and famine. (Jeremiah 34:8-22)
False Prophecy: Hananiah was a false prophet, who prophesied that the yoke of Babylonians would be broken. (Jeremiah 28:1-17) Perhaps, Zedekiah was more inclined towards the false prophecy, he did not obey the words of God through Jeremiah.
Respect: Zedekiah had respect and regard for Jeremiah and took private counsel. He did not allow Jeremiah’s enemies to kill him but permitted them to do whatever they wished. Jeremiah was thrown into a pit to die. He was saved by Ebed-Melech, with the permission of Zedekiah. (Jeremiah 38:7-12)
False hope: Zedekiah believed that Egypt would help him against the Babylonians, but it did not happen. Instead of repenting and depending on God, he trusted worldly powers.
Punished: Zedekiah and his men fled towards the Jordan River when Babylonians attacked Jerusalem. They were captured. Nebuchadnezzar was so ruthless that he slaughtered Zedekiah’s son before his eyes, and then scourged out his eyes. So that Zedekiah would be haunted by the scene of the horrific death of his sons. (II Kings 25:1-7) He lost his throne, sons, sight, freedom, and his nation.
Nation perished: The Babylonians broke the walls of Jerusalem, burnt the city, and destroyed the Temple in 587 BC.
Do I only respect the Lord, but disobey His commandments?