The Little Caboose That Thought He Could!

I am reflecting this day on the narrative of II Kings 24. In this chapter, Jehoiakim is the weak-kneed, vassal-oriented king of Judah. Unlike his father, Josiah, he did not walk with God. Very much like his great-grandfather, Manasseh, he delighted in disobedience. He owed his presence in office to the Pharaoh of Egypt, whom he served for some time. When we arrive in the narrative of II Kings 24, he has for three years been the vassal of Nebuchadnezzer, King of Babylon. There could hardly be a more clear picture of weakness and total dependence of others favor.

For whatever reason, Jehoiakim decides to flex his muscle and stand on his own feet by rebelling against Nebuchadnezzer. Perhaps he is just plain sick of the siphoning off of Judah’s treasures by foreign powers. Perhaps he is enamored with his own sense of power and position so that he feels he is capable of rebellion. Perhaps he is just plain out of his mind.

Like the little caboose that thought he could, Jehoiakim, flexed his muscle, his authority, his determination, and his army. Except that his self-effort would not achieve the same result as that of the little caboose. He will fail because the Lord was not with him. The Lord had judged Judah and Jehoiakim because of the sins of Manasseh, his great grandfather. It is one thing to fight the enemy and quite another to fight the enemy without the assistance of the Lord.

Not only was the Lord not with Jehoiakim, he was against him. The enemy came to fight him from every direction. Among the forces to attack Judah and the King were: raiding bands of Chaldeans (enemy within), bands of Syrians (enemy from the north), bands of Moabites (enemy from the south), and bands of Ammonites (enemy from the east). They not only came from every direction, but in such numbers, and with such force that the only conclusion was Judah’s defeat. The Lord decreed it.

So, how does it all affect me? My victory or defeat in the cause of Christ depends on the hand of God. If he is with me, I will succeed. If he is against me, I will lie in defeat. I can never trust self-effort. I can never trust my own sense of evaluating the battle scene. I must, must always rely on thus said the Lord. My mind and heart must daily be controlled by the Holy Spirit and filled with the Word of God. My distrust of self and total focus on the glory of God must be front and center in thought and action. My battle plans should be from him. My battle presence should be at his direction. My battle strategy should be designed in Heaven. My victory or defeat depends on these factors. And in the final result, the victory is not mine at all. It is his. To God be the glory!

Howard L. Wilburn