Slices
Prepare
We all fail at some point. Big or small. What have you learned from your own experience of failure? How did it change you?
Bible passage
22 Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon appointed Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, to be over the people he had left behind in Judah. 23 When all the army officers and their men heard that the king of Babylon had appointed Gedaliah as governor, they came to Gedaliah at Mizpah – Ishmael son of Nethaniah, Johanan son of Kareah, Seraiah son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, Jaazaniah the son of the Maakathite, and their men. 24 Gedaliah took an oath to reassure them and their men. ‘Do not be afraid of the Babylonian officials,’ he said. ‘Settle down in the land and serve the king of Babylon, and it will go well with you.’
25 In the seventh month, however, Ishmael son of Nethaniah, the son of Elishama, who was of royal blood, came with ten men and assassinated Gedaliah and also the men of Judah and the Babylonians who were with him at Mizpah. 26 At this, all the people from the least to the greatest, together with the army officers, fled to Egypt for fear of the Babylonians.
Jehoiachin released
27 In the thirty-seventh year of the exile of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the year Awel-Marduk became king of Babylon, he released Jehoiachin king of Judah from prison. He did this on the twenty-seventh day of the twelfth month. 28 He spoke kindly to him and gave him a seat of honour higher than those of the other kings who were with him in Babylon. 29 So Jehoiachin put aside his prison clothes and for the rest of his life ate regularly at the king’s table. 30 Day by day the king gave Jehoiachin a regular allowance as long as he lived.
Explore
In some ways, this is the end of the Old Covenant. The flow of Scripture from Adam to Jehoiachin has shown us that, despite God’s love and power, we humans are systematically incapable of trusting him and following his will for us.
Just when we think it can’t get any worse for Judah, it does. Ishmael puts his own interests over that of his people by killing Gedaliah. The ancient equivalent of nuclear war is about to erupt, and the few remaining leaders (and anyone else with the means) vacate the Promised Land for Egypt. The irony is almost overwhelming. The work of Moses and Joshua is reversed.
The final image of the now fifty‑something Jehoiachin sitting at the king’s table in Babylon is not really a sign of hope, but of total compromise. Compare him to Daniel, who, in the same circumstances, chose to trust God and obey the Mosaic dietary law. Daniel becomes a hero of faith. Jehoiachin is a symbol of failure. The book fizzles out with a king on a state pension.
A whole new deal is needed: one that doesn’t rely on human strength or national faithfulness. A light in the darkness.
Respond
Thank God for the gift of the Holy Spirit and the means of salvation through Jesus. Through him our weakness will be overcome by grace. How should that truth affect your life today?
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Jeremiah 13,14; John 6
Pray for Scripture Union
The south region is promoting their Ignition project designed to recruit and train 100 new volunteers into youth ministry across the south. Please pray that as it launches many will be inspired to join and that many more young people will hear the good news as a result.
A child has started following Jesus. Help them keep growing.
A child's decision to trust Jesus is a moment to celebrate, but it's also the beginning of a lifelong journey of discipleship. Journey to the Sacred Kingdom helps children aged 5–8 discover what it means to know God through his Word, grow in faith and walk with Jesus every day.
Following the adventures of Rock and River, children explore key Bible stories, discover who the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are and begin developing everyday faith habits through engaging reflections, colourful comics and interactive activities.
Give the young believers in your care a strong biblical foundation from the very beginning.
✓ Help new believers grow in God's Word
Introduce children to foundational biblical truths in a way they can understand, helping them build confidence in knowing God and following Jesus.
✓ Encourage faith that lasts beyond a single decision
Support children as they develop habits of prayer, Bible reading and trusting God, laying foundations for a lifelong relationship with Christ.
✓ A trusted discipleship resource for church and home
Perfect for parents, grandparents, children's leaders and churches seeking a biblically rooted follow-up resource after holiday clubs, children's ministry, family events, baptism or other moments when a child begins their journey with Jesus.
