Justin Houtz

2 Kings 25, John 10

DateVersionReading Plan
December 4, 2025ESV (2016)OT/NT Plan 2025 – 2027

2 Kings 25

Observation & Interpretation

In Nebuchadnezzar’s ninth year of reign, he laid siege to Jerusalem. Eighteen months into the siege, there was a severe famine in the land and the people were without food. The men of war attempted to flee, but were pursued by the Chaldeans. The king of Judah was overtaken at the plains of Jericho and his men were scattered from him. Zedekiah was brought to Riblah where his sons were slaughtered before him. His eyes were put out, he was bound in chains and was taken to Babylon.

In the seventh day of the fifth month (586 B.C.), Nebuzaradan, the captain of the bodyguard and servant of Nebuchadnezzar, burned down the house of the LORD, the king’s house and all of the houses of Jerusalem, both small and great. The rest of the people left in the city were taken into exile, but some of the poorest of the land remained back to be vinedressers and plowmen.

The Chaldeans broke in pieces the bronze that was in the house of the LORD and carried it to Babylon. All of the elements of the temple were taken away. What was of gold was taken away as gold and what was of silver as silver. “These verses describe the wholesale looting of the temple treasures. Those things which were too big to be carried away were cut up into smaller pieces. The bronze which was seized was beyond measure. In addition, the Chaldeans … took all the solid gold and solid silver they could find.” (BBC)

The captain of the guard brought before Nebuchadnezzar some seventy-two men at Riblah in the land of Hamath. The king of Babylon appointed Gedaliah as governor over those who remained in Judah. Upon hearing the Gedaliah had been appointed governor, all the captains and their men came to Gedaliah. “Gedaliah counseled them to submit to the Babylonian yoke and that all would be well.” (BBC) However, in an act of defiance, Ishmael, son of Nethaniah of the royal family, struck down Gedaliah along with all the Jews and Chaldeans who were with him at Mizpah. All the people then arose and went to Egypt out of fear of the Chaldeans. “The people were thus left without organized government and fled to Egypt.” (BBC)

In the year 561 B.C., in his thirty-seventh year of exile, Jehoiachin was graciously freed by Evil-merodach, king of Babylon. The king of Babylon spoke kindly to Jehoiachin and placed him above the seats who were with him at Babylon. Jehoiachin put off his prison garments and was able to dine every day at the table of the king of Babylon. For his allowance, regular allowance was given to Jehoaichin for his daily needs as long as he lived.

Application

In this final chapter of 2 Kings, we read of the LORD’s exaction of His judgment upon the nation of Judah in her besieging by and exile to Babylon. The LORD’s wrath was made manifest in the removal of Judah from His sight, the resulting consequence of Manasseh’s sin and provocations (2 Kings 23:26-27). Our LORD is just and righteous in all His ways, faithful to bring to completion all of His promises.

John 10

Observation & Interpretation

Jesus speaks parabolically about shepherds and sheep. The one who enters the sheepfold by climbing in rather than using the gate is a thief and robber. This Jesus contrasts with the real shepherd who enters by the gate. The sheep know the shepherd’s voice and call him by name. The sheep follow the shepherd but a stranger they do not follow. “Those who are true sheep of Christ follow Him. They do not become sheep by following His example, but by being born again. Then when they are saved, they have a desire to go where He leads.” (BBC)

Jesus describes Himself as the door of the sheep. All those who came before Him were thieves and robbers. If anyone enters by Him—the Good Shepherd—they will be saved, will go out and in and find pasture. “Those who enter find pasture. Christ is not only the Savior, and the One who gives freedom, but He is also the Sustainer and Satisfier. His sheep find pasture in the Word of God.” (BBC) Jesus then speaks of the hired hand who does not own the sheep and is not a shepherd. When he sees a wolf coming, the hired hand leaves the sheep because he cares nothing for them, allowing the wolf snatch and scatter them. Jesus again contrasts the disloyalty of the hired worker with Himself who lays down His life for the sheep. Jesus has other sheep not of this fold, but must bring them also and they will listen to His voice. He has one flock and one fold. The “Lord Jesus explained what He would do in order to bring both elect Jews and Gentiles to Himself. He looked forward to the time of His death, burial, and resurrection. These words would be utterly out of place were the Lord Jesus a mere man. He spoke of laying down His life and taking it again by His own power. He could only do this because He is God. The Father loved the Lord Jesus because of His willingness to die and rise again, in order that lost sheep might be saved.” (BBC) There again arose a division among the Jews because of Jesus’ words. Many of them said that Jesus had a demon while others claimed that these could not be the words of someone oppressed by a demon.

The Jews gathered around Jesus who was walking in the temple. They asked Him how long He would keep them in suspense as to whether He was the Christ. Jesus sharply replies that He had told them but they had not believed. He proceeds to tell them that their lack of belief in Him is a result of not being His sheep. “Their unwillingness to receive the Messiah proved that they were not of His sheep. If they had been set apart to belong to Him, they would have shown a willingness to believe Him.” (BBC) In response, the Jews picked up stones to stone Him. Jesus asked them which of the good works He had shown them by from the Father they were going to stone Him. They told Him that it was because of blasphemy that they were going to stone Him. Jesus asked them about the law and quoted to the Jews from Ps. 82:6. “The Lord used this verse from the Psalms to show that God used the word gods to describe men to whom the word of God came. In other words, these men were spokesmen for God. God spoke to the nation of Israel through them. “They manifested God in His place of authority and judgment, and were the powers whom God had ordained.”…He speaks of them as infallible writings which must be fulfilled, and which cannot be denied. In fact, the very words of Scripture are inspired, not just its thoughts or ideas.” (BBC) The Jews then sought to arrest Jesus, but He escaped from their hands.

Jesus went again across the Jordan and remained at the place where John the Baptist had baptized at first. Many came to Jesus and said that John did no sign but everything John said about Jesus was true. Many believed in Jesus there.

Application

Jesus is the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep but only those who enter by Him are saved. There is a notable exclusivity here that the only way to salvation is by Christ. Let us then respond to our Shepherd’s voice with humble surrender that we may go in and out and find good pasture.

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