Hurting, Healing or Freeing
How do you want to contribute to generational blessings?
2 Kings 24:8-9, The Inclusive Bible
Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he was crowned ruler, and he reigned in Jerusalem for three months. His mother was Nehushta ben-Elnathan; she was from Jerusalem. He was evil in the eyes of God, like his father was.
Hurt people hurt people. Healed people heal people. Freed people free people. The generational curses and blessings evident in 1 Kings are revealed yet again in the actions, reactions and results of two opposing kings: Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon and King Jehoiachin of Judah. The consequences were devastating to the people in Jerusalem and Judah, and as per historical usual, the poorest suffered the most. Jehoiachin wasn’t the first king in Judah or Jerusalem to do evil in the sight of God, and he wasn’t the last.
What must Jehoiachin’s Mama, Nehushta, perceived of this evil done in God’s sight? Was she hurt, healed or free? Was she trying her best to be a cycle breaker, to raise a son who would do right in God’s sight?
How are your actions hurting, healing or freeing your neighborhood? Family lineage? Faith community? Political sphere of influence? How do you want to contribute to generational blessings?
Examine and give thanks for the good action you’ve taken to contribute to God’s loving mission of reconciliation today. Even small baby steps count. Celebrate that you are a generational cycle shifter!