“He carried all Jerusalem into exile: all the officers and fighting men, and the skilled workers and artisans — a total of ten thousand. Only the poorest of the land were left.”
Growing up, I was not always the first picked. All the boys would be lined up in a row. The team captains would start to pick who they wanted on their teams. “I pick Billy.”, “I pick Tom” and one after one the line of boys to pick from would get smaller and smaller until the only ones left were the ones that no one really wanted on their team. These were the younger and or the least athletic of the bunch. These were the ones, even though they were picked, they never really played. They just ran around being part of the game but never really participating. I love the movie “The Sandlot” because we get to see one of the kids who was never really picked to play become part of the gang.
The last days of Judah before the Babylonians carried them off into exile were not fun. Josiah, a very Godly king, died and his son, Jehoahaz became king. Just like many other kings of Judah, he was an evil man. He refused to pay Pharaoh Necho his tribute and after three months of being king, he was put in prison in Egypt. Pharaoh Necho also put his brother Eliakim as king and changed his name to Jehoiakim. Jehoiakim paid the Pharaoh his tribute by taxing the people and taking all the gold and silver from the land.
During Jehoiakim’s reign, Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, invaded the land along with the Arameans, the Moabites, and the Ammonites. The Bible says that the Lord sent this on Judah for the sins of Manasseh. If you remember, he was Josiah’s grandfather who sacrificed his son to Molek in the temple of God. After Jehoiakim’s death, his son Jehoiachin became king. The Babylonians had taken control of the entire area now from Egypt to the Euphrates river.
After three months as king, Nebuchadnezzar laid siege to Jerusalem and Jehoiachin surrenders. He is carried off to Babylon and put in prison. Jehoiachin’s uncle, Mattaniah was put in the kings place by Nebuchadnezzar. As if they were all following the same script, Mattaniah now called Zedekiah, rebelled against Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar again goes and laid siege to Jerusalem. His commander, Nebuzaradan takes the city and destroys everything. 2 Kings 25:12 tells us, “But the commander left behind some of the poorest people of the land to work the vineyards and fields.”
After reading this, you might just feel like someone in Judah that was left behind. You have seen all the ones who you would classify as smart and ambitious leave or disassociate with their old friends. You may feel left out and unloved. Some may have some family history that played out just like the last days of Judah, messy. God tells us in Deuteronomy 31:6, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
We are not promised a great life of butterflies and fun when we say yes to Jesus. In fact, Jesus himself tells us that the world hated him so they will not like us either. Being the last one left behind is never fun. It may seem like the Babylonians have laid siege to your life and carried off some of the most important people but I know that God can redeem and restore all that was lost or broken.
In fact, Judah would be rebuilt some 70 years later by some great men of God. Your life is not over! It can and will be rebuilt when you put Christ in the middle of it. Luke 15:3-7 tells us, “Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” His arms are open wide for you. He won’t leave you behind.
Prayer: Father, we know that life can sometimes leave us feeling lonely, rejected, and left behind. Your Word tells us that you are always there with us. Today, I pray that the Holy Spirit would reveal and release your love onto those who are downcast and feel left behind. Give them a new hope, a fresh look on life with you Lord. In Jesus name, amen.
Let It Go 
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