In Christ, From the Prison to the Palace

"27And it came to pass in the seven and thirtieth year of the captivity of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, on the seven and twentieth day of the month, that Evilmerodach king of Babylon in the year that he began to reign did lift up the head of Jehoiachin king of Judah out of prison; 28And he spake kindly to him, and set his throne above the throne of the kings that were with him in Babylon; 29And changed his prison garments: and he did eat bread continually before him all the days of his life. 30And his allowance was a continual allowance given him of the king, a daily rate for every day, all the days of his life." (2 Kings 25: 27-30)

Throughout the Bible, we will find types and shadows of the Gospel.

When Jesus died on the Cross, He took us from dead in our trespasses to alive and seated in heavenly places in Himself:

"4But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus." (Ephesians 2: 4-6)

This wonderful transformation from death to life is presented to us in the Old Testament:

"7He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill;

 

"8That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people." (Psalm 113: 7-8)

 

Now consider the scene above, in the last chapter of Second Kings. The Israelites have been driven out of the Promised Land because they exchanged gods, and they had refused to rest and let God work:

 

"27But if ye will not hearken unto me to hallow the sabbath day, and not to bear a burden, even entering in at the gates of Jerusalem on the sabbath day; then will I kindle a fire in the gates thereof, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be quenched." (Jeremiah 17: 27)

 

Then:

 

""For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place." (Jeremiah 29: 10)

 

And finally:

 

"To fulfil the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her sabbaths: for as long as she lay desolate she kept sabbath, to fulfil threescore and ten years." (2 Chronicles 36: 21)

 

During Israel's sabbath, God moved the heart of Babylon's King Evilmerodach (Marduk's fool) and he repositioned Jehoikim (whose name means "the Lord appoints") as king above kings.

 

We see here the perfect pattern of what God our Father does for us through His Son Jesus:

 

"

5Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever." (Psalm 23: 5-6)

 

and of course:

 

"Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world." (1 John 4: 17)