Leadership Going Downhill

 

    Have you ever had a really good leader in church, work, organization, or even the government?  I am talking about a leader that you want to know, but also has a clear vision for direction and the future.  The really good ones are rare.  

    Now imagine after that leader is gone getting a leader that is only interested in their own well being, short term goals, selfish, pouty, or some other major character flaw for a leader.  How would the atmosphere change?  How quickly would moral go out the building?

    When King Josiah of Judah died, his son Jehoahaz became king.  He knew of the prophecy about the nation, but he did not live long enough to do anything about it.  He was 23 and only reigned three months.  The Egyptian king came and dethroned him.

    Neco put Eliakim, Jehoahaz's brother on the throne because he was easier to control.  He was 25.  Then Neco changed his name to Jehoiakim to show him and Judah who was really in charge.  Jehoiakim reigned for eleven years doing evil.

    King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon attacked Judah and took Jehoiakim away like a criminal.  Jehoiakim's son, Jehoiachin became King of Judah.  King Jehoiachin reigned three months and ten days.  He was only 18.  He was replaced by his uncle Zedekiah as king.  These men may have been okay kings, but for the most part they were not on the throne long enough to sustain change.  

    Zedekiah was only 21.  He reigned 11 years doing evil.  He was an arrogant king which never makes for a good leader.  Arrogance never hears what needs to be done for the people.  It always puts self-interest first.  Worst than arrogance, he was rebellious.  He led his people away from God and ridiculed those that did follow God.  

    God continuously tried to make contact with His people, but they chose cruelty.  God finally was at the tipping point.  He allowed Babylon to come and destroy these people.  Anyone that did survive were exiled.  Jerusalem was broken and burned.  The people would live in excile for 70 years writing 1 & 2 Chronicles to remember to and to observe what went wrong.  Not one of these people would see their home again.

    King Cyrus of Persia chose to follow God.  He rebuilt God's temple in Jerusalem and he allowed the exiles to return home if they wanted.  It was time to stop looking back and look toward a new beginning.  That means learn the lessons and do better.  It took a foreign king to bring the leadership of God's people back to where it needed to be.

2 Chronicles 36