And Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard took them and brought them to the king of Babylon at Riblah. 27 And the king of Babylon struck them down and put them to death at Riblah in the land of Hamath. So Judah was taken into exile out of its land.
Leaders lead by example. Servant leaders often go last. It has been said that a pastor’s potluck meal is always cold because he talks to so many people before eating. In some cases however, leaders go first. This is just such a case. This is a retelling of the fall of Babylon in 2 Kings but this time it is from the perspective of the prophet Jeremiah. In the preceding verses, Jeremiah told us who went first.
Seraiah the chief priest, Zephaniah the second priest, the three keepers of the threshold, an officer who had been in command of the men of war, seven men of the king’s council, and the secretary of the commander of the army.
We can surmise that Nebuchadnezzar took these men and had them executed as a warning to others. The message was received that if they rebelled against Babylonian rule, this fate would be theirs also. Medieval kings would put leaders’ heads on poles outside the gates, just in case someone had the idea of attacking the city.
Today, pray for your leaders as they go last and in some cases go first. You may be a leader yourself of a ministry at your church. Take comfort from this that whatever happens, whether you are mistreated by those you serve, are tired from all the effort and feel unappreciated, or are even persecuted for your faith, you are never left or forsaken by the Lord Jesus Christ…
The last shall be first.
Pastor Brad Boyer
Cape Community Church