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Daily Devotions

Jeremiah

Jeremiah 
Day 
Day 255

"They shall not lament for him"

Text: Jeremiah 22:18

NO LAMENTATION FOR KING JEHOIAKIM

There was a very brief mention of King Jehoiakim. His brother Jehoahaz (Shallum- Jeremiah 22:11), was the one who succeeded King Josiah to the throne. But Jehoahaz was exiled to Egypt by the Pharaoh and he died there.

Jehoiakim, the brother of Jehoahaz took his place on the throne. He was appointed by the Pharaoh. His own name was called Eliakim (2 Kings 23:34). Judah became a vassal kingdom under the overlordship of Egypt.

“Therefore thus says the LORD
concerning Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah:
‘They shall not lament for him,
Saying, ‘Alas, my brother!’ or ‘Alas, my sister!’
They shall not lament for him,
Saying, ‘Alas, master!’ or ‘Alas, his glory!”
He shall be buried with the burial of a donkey,
Dragged and cast out beyond the gates of Jerusalem.'”
Jeremiah 22:18-19

1. “Therefore thus says the LORD concerning Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah”

a) The Egyptians chose him in preference of his brother Jehoahaz (Shallum).

b) His name was changed from Eliakim to Jehoiakim by the Egyptians.

i) This was to display the authority of the Egyptians over Judah.

ii) To change someone’s name reflects power over the individual.

2. “They shall not lament for him, saying, ‘Alas, my brother!’ or ‘Alas, my sister!’
They shall not lament for him, saying, ‘Alas, master!’ or ‘Alas, his glory!'”

a) The LORD gave a prophetic word against King Jehoiakim.

b) He would not be a popular or good king.

c) There will come a time when he would die.

d) But at his death hardly anyone would lament his demise.

e) It was normal for people to say: ‘Alas, my brother!’ or ‘Alas, my sister!’

f) But at Jehoiakim’s death, they shall not lament for him: “Saying, ‘Alas, master!’ or ‘Alas, his glory!'”

i) There would be no grief at his passing away.

ii) There was no glory achieved by Jehoiakim (Eliakim).

3. “He shall be buried with the burial of a donkey,
dragged and cast out beyond the gates of Jerusalem”

a) How he actually died was not even mentioned in the chronicles of the kings.

b) This was a prophecy concerning his demise.

i) He would not have a state funeral.

ii) His funeral was likened to that of a donkey’s burial.

iii) He would be dragged and cast out of the gates of Jerusalem.

d) This word of warning reflects the king of reign, Jehoiakim would have.

i) He would be under the thumb of the Egyptians.

ii) He would have to obey whatever commands given to him.

iii) There was a single notation of his reign.

“And he did evil in the sight of the LORD,
according to all that his fathers had done.”
2 Kings 23:37