What a strong expression! “You and your house shall live!” Paul used the same expression when the jailer asked him, “What must I do to be saved?” The answer was simple: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household” (Acts 16:30–31). Zedekiah heard the word that could save him and his house! But what did he do with what he heard? He asked Jeremiah to let no one know about their conversation!

Zedekiah was king, had money and influence. But none of these things were of any use when he stood before his judge. It was the day of judgment. They slit his sons’ throats before his eyes, and then they put out his eyes. That was the last thing he ever saw. Then, he spent the rest of his life in prison. He was 32 years old.

Zedekiah did not obey God’s word of salvation and found himself before his judge. No man will be able to negotiate with God on the day of judgment. All mouths will be closed. All will be found guilty and cast into the lake of fire and brimstone forever.

“Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison” (Mt. 5:25). We must obey the gospel today! We must get on good terms with God now before we meet Him as judge. The issue of our sin must be dealt with. And there is only one way: it is to obey the gospel of God.

By His work on the cross, Jesus Christ “became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him” (Heb. 5:9). “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him” (Jn. 3:36). Do not end with Zedekiah in God’s eternal pitch-dark prison. Obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ now! (Yes, right now!)