Made Free Indeed!

After years of warfare and a siege, the city of Jerusalem was finally broken up during the reign of king Zedekiah.  Instead of surrendering to Nebuchadnezzar and serving him as directed by God, he tried to flee by night by way of the plain.  Jeremiah 52:8-11 details what followed, and it is not at all pleasant:  "But the army of the Chaldeans pursued the king, and they overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho. All his army was scattered from him. ⁹ So they took the king and brought him up to the king of Babylon at Riblah in the land of Hamath, and he pronounced judgment on him. ¹⁰ Then the king of Babylon killed the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes. And he killed all the princes of Judah in Riblah. ¹¹ He also put out the eyes of Zedekiah; and the king of Babylon bound him in bronze fetters, took him to Babylon, and put him in prison till the day of his death."  Zedekiah's army was scattered and could not save him, and he was taken captive.  He was found to be guilty, was made to witness the excecution of his sons, was rendered blind, bound and remained incarcerated until his death in Babylon.

It is unimaginable to consider what king Zedekiah went through as a consequence of his rebellion against the king of Babylon.  He was taken to a foreign land shrouded in darkness, fed the bread and water of affliction by those who despised him and there was no one to take him by the hand.  Zedekiah was subjected to unspeakable horrors in a prison without hope of escape or release.  His degradation was complete as he rotted away in chains until the day of his death, hopeless and in inescapable darkness.  It occurred to me this is a spiritual image of many people today who are bound by sin, hopeless and helpless to deliver themselves.  God has already given the standards of His righteousness in the law and judgment in His word, for He says "The soul who sins shall die" (Ezekiel 18:20).  Such spend the remainder of their time on earth in bonds of iniquity awaiting eternal judgment without hope of salvation or redemption.

Unlike Zedekiah, these people are not in physical chains in an actual prison.  Their physical eyes can see the bright blue sky as they enjoy fine dining fit for a king and travel at their pleasure.  Their family increases in size as does their portfolio.  They have armies of close friends and acquaintances who view them with respect and affection.  But they do not realise spiritually they are imprisoned in darkness, without hope, blind to their need of spiritual regeneration, dead in sins.  In a parable Jesus told it was not until the younger son lost his inheritance and was finally "in want" that he came to his senses and considered returning to his father as a servant.  I do not know if Zedekiah repented in his cell and turned to the LORD, but would have been wise to do so as there is everlasting hope, comfort and peace in Him.  This is a redemptive aspect in trials allowed by God, for even blind Samson called out to God for strength and was heard.  It took being physically blinded by Jesus for Saul to call Jesus LORD who opened his eyes to see and changed him from inside out.

Praise the LORD Jesus has come and fulfilled the words written in Isaiah 61:1:  "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound..."  For those who need healing, are held captive, to those who are bound Jesus has good news!  The power of God that literally caused the bonds to fall from Peter's hands in prison and caused the gate to swing open "of its own accord" is the God who seeks to save us.  Instead of the bread and water of affliction Jesus is the Living Bread that comes down from heaven who gives eternal life and provides the Living Water of the Holy Spirit Who regenerates and refreshes our souls.  The Messiah who opened the eyes of people born blind can restore spiritual sight by His grace.  The testimony of Paul rejoicing even in chains for the sake of the Gospel confirms the word of Jesus in John 8:36:  "Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed."