In the darkest moments of biblical history you will always be sure to find a light of hope glowing somewhere like a beacon of God’s faithfulness. We see this in the very last two verses of the book of Kings. Jehoiachin, Josiah’s grandson who was earlier taken into captivity, is blessed in Babylon like Joseph in Egypt. It is God’s reminder that, despite all their failings, God had not abandoned his people. He was still with them and, like Joseph, would bring them through their trial and restore them again. The book of Chronicles, written after the exile, records the return. God had predicted these events and he had also declared that his people would be restored. The aim of this tragedy was not destruction but restoration. This was a time of purging for Judah. It was the necessary radiation therapy that would subdue the cancer of evil in the covenant community. God is always primarily concerned about restoration. While this age endures he never gives up on working with us for restoration. If God chastises you, it is never to reject you but to lead you to repentance and restoration. He is the healer of your soul, and he will do whatever it takes to bring your restoration about. If he appoints a time of trial, he will also have appointed a time of deliverance. The two always go together. The God who leads you into the valley will lead you out the other side. That is always the way it works.
Ask God to lead you on the path of restoration.
Read 2 Kings 25:27-30 and 2 Chronicles 36:15-23
