Jeremiah Chapter 21

Zedekiah Insincerely Appealed to Jeremiah  –  Verses 1-2

 

1  The word which came unto Jeremiah from the LORD, when king Zedekiah sent unto him Pashur the son of Melchiah, and Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest, saying,

1. This Pashur is not the one of the previous chapter, though likely holding the same view.
2. He later participated with princes to ask Zedekiah to have Jeremiah killed (Jer 38:1-4).
3. Zephaniah was a priest solicited by rebels in Babylon against Jeremiah (Jer 29:24-32).
4. Such men and priests, famous in the congregation, are as Korah’s princes (Nu 16:2).
5. Not only did they have positions themselves, but they came with the king’s authority.
6. Paul dealt with such adversaries as well – devout, honorable, and chief (Acts 13:50).
7. Lesson: Opponents of truth are rarely criminals or losers of society, but can be princes.

2  Enquire, I pray thee, of the LORD for us; for Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon maketh war against us; if so be that the LORD will deal with us according to all his wondrous works, that he may go up from us.

1. These two men asked Jeremiah to ask Jehovah to intervene against Nebuchadnezzar.
   1. Of course, as nationalistic Jews, they knew the Bible stories of Jehovah’s salvations.
   2. But as rebellious adversaries to Jeremiah’s call for surrender, they were not sincere.
   3. What they overlooked was the obedience of Israel when Jehovah intervened to save.
   4. Pious words, even with Bible stories or Bible verses, do not replace Bible obedience.
2. Zedekiah had other exchanges with Jeremiah, but he did not ask sincerely (Jer 37:1-3).
3. Jeremiah’s answer will be sincere, but it will be the opposite of what Zedekiah sought.
4. Zedekiah and these princes will cost Jeremiah his freedom, but he told the truth anyway.
5. God can and will deceive prophets if asked by men with idols at heart (Ezek 14:1-11).
6. Lesson: Sometimes the man of God must declare truth even when it might be dangerous.
7. Lesson: Though hardly known to most, God does not owe truth to men preferring lies.
8. Lesson: Pious words, even with Bible stories or verses, do not replace Bible obedience.

Section Lessons

1. Lesson: Opponents of truth are rarely criminals or losers of society, but can be princes.
2. Lesson: Sometimes the man of God must declare truth even when it might be dangerous.
3. Lesson: Though hardly known to most, God does not owe truth to men preferring lies.
4. Lesson: Pious words, even with Bible stories or verses, do not replace Bible obedience.

 

 

Jeremiah Sincerely Condemned Zedekiah  –  Verses 3-7 

 

 

3  Then said Jeremiah unto them, Thus shall ye say to Zedekiah:

1. Jeremiah had been sick of his negative message and reproach recently (Jer 20:14-18).
2. However, he is ready to go again, this time to severely contradict Zedekiah’s desire.
3. The Lord’s face is against those that do evil to cut them off from earth (Ps 34:15-18).
4. David taught the lesson very clearly, and we all know it, but do we believe it (Ps 66:18).
5. Lesson: If you allow or cover sin in your heart, God will not hear (Ps 66:18); be perfect.

4  Thus saith the LORD God of Israel; Behold, I will turn back the weapons of war that are in your hands, wherewith ye fight against the king of Babylon, and against the Chaldeans, which besiege you without the walls, and I will assemble them into the midst of this city.

1. Jehovah said to Zedekiah that He would fight with the Chaldeans and against the Jews.
2. Zedekiah’s war preparations would not work; God would bring Babylon into Jerusalem.
3. In another place, GOD mocked any Jewish idea of avoiding total destruction (Jer 37:10).
4. The answer Jeremiah gave from GOD was not how you win friends or influence people.
5. Lesson: Fix your life to have God with you, not against you (Hag 1:1-11; Mal 3:7-12).
6. Lesson: If you allow or cover sin in your life, He can turn your best efforts against you.

5  And I myself will fight against you with an outstretched hand and with a strong arm, even in anger, and in fury, and in great wrath.

1. This is how GOD Jehovah addresses His people when they intentionally disobey Him.
   1. He would exert Himself against the Jews – so strong arm reaching out with intensity.
   2. He would be passionate against them – thus overlapping anger, fury, and great wrath.
2. Anger, fury, and great wrath are a terrible combination, especially when God’s passions.
3. Lesson: You can lose God’s blessing, or worse, He can become your enemy (Is 63:10).

6  And I will smite the inhabitants of this city, both man and beast: they shall die of a great pestilence.

1. Before germ warfare, pestilence or a deadly disease was a more direct divine judgment.
   1. Though pestilence would arise in a long siege due to lack of nutrition and clean food.
   2. But God of Providence is always in total control, and this was His use of pestilence.
2. Why beasts? Because they work or feed men, but not when they are dead by pestilence.
3. Lesson: Whether Bubonic plague or Covid-19, our LORD is Master of Disease … here.
4. Lesson: If you fear unseen germs or diseases, embrace His easy conditions in Psalm 91.

7  And afterward, saith the LORD, I will deliver Zedekiah king of Judah, and his servants, and the people, and such as are left in this city from the pestilence, from the sword, and from the famine, into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of those that seek their life: and he shall smite them with the edge of the sword; he shall not spare them, neither have pity, nor have mercy.

1. God’s three favorite kinds of judgment by Chaldeans – pestilence, sword, and famine.
   1. Zedekiah and some survived the three deaths but would not escape Nebuchadnezzar.
   2. Though a city siege is a hard situation, being captured leaves you most vulnerable.
   3. Sometimes a quick death in a siege might be better than captivity and then execution.
2. Nebuchadnezzar came to Jerusalem thrice; his siege took 18 months; he was very angry.
3. King Zedekiah was captured, sons killed, eyes put out, and died in prison (Jer 52:1-11).
4. For your information, God was mercifully kind to this wicked king (Jeremiah 34:1-5).
5. Lesson: A lesser punishment rejected may result in God sending a greater punishment.

Section Lessons

1. Lesson: If you allow or cover sin in your heart, God will not hear (Ps 66:18); be perfect.
2. Lesson: Fix your life to have God with you, not against you (Hag 1:1-11; Mal 3:7-12).
3. Lesson: If you allow or cover sin in your life, He can turn your best efforts against you.
4. Lesson: You can lose God’s blessing, or worse, He can become your enemy (Is 63:10).
5. Lesson: Whether Bubonic plague or Covid-19, our LORD is Master of Disease … here.
6. Lesson: If you fear unseen germs or diseases, embrace His easy conditions in Psalm 91.
7. Lesson: A lesser punishment rejected may result in God sending a greater punishment.

 

 

God Told the Jews Exactly How to Survive  –  Verses 8-10 

 

 

8  And unto this people thou shalt say, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I set before you the way of life, and the way of death.

1. God turned Jeremiah from Zedekiah to common people and told them how to survive.
2. Our glorious God, whether with His own or with enemies, offers life or death clearly.
   1. Moses made this choice of life or death very clear to Israel (Deuteronomy 11:26-28; 28:1,15; 30:15,19; 32:47; Joshua 24:15; Proverbs 8:36; Isaiah 1:19-20; 3:10-11).
   2. Nineveh’s king heard enough to know God might repent to spare city (Jon 3:5-10).
   3. Abimelech took Sarah innocently enough, but God gave him choice (Gen 20:3-7).
3. Lesson: Love the simple if-then options God gives you and leverage them by obedience.
4. Lesson: If you wish for such, then read, even the New Testament (II Cor 6:16-18; 7:1).

9  He that abideth in this city shall die by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence: but he that goeth out, and falleth to the Chaldeans that besiege you, he shall live, and his life shall be unto him for a prey.

1. Here is the simple word of Jehovah and Jeremiah for salvation – surrender and prosper.
   1. If they chose to fight Chaldeans around Jerusalem, they would die one of three ways.
   2. If they chose to surrender to the Chaldeans, they would save their lives like a gift.
   3. Prey = That which is taken in war, or by pillage or violence; booty, spoil, plunder. Or figuratively in Bible, That which one brings away or saves from any contest, etc.
   4. “His life shall be unto him for a prey” = he gets to save his life by a simple choice as if he picked up easy booty, spoil, or plunder in battle or caught game in hunting.
   5. This expression is also used in these places, if they help (Jeremiah 38:2; 39:18; 45:5).
2. Jeremiah’s enemies tried to have him killed for treason for the saving truth (Jer 38:1-4).
3. Jesus told Jews how to survive the worst tribulation (Matt 24:15-22; Luke 21:20-28).
4. Peter did as well with many other words, even on the great day of Pentecost (Acts 2:40).
5. Lesson: Never, ever think you have a better way to do things – you are begging to die.
6. Lesson: Never, ever think you are a bigger man for taking the harder way over wisdom.

10  For I have set my face against this city for evil, and not for good, saith the LORD: it shall be given into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall burn it with fire.

1. God mercifully explained why they should surrender – He would burn Jerusalem down.
2. When Jehovah sets His face against a city for evil, not good – you can count it as sure.
3. Therefore, there was only one real choice – to hear Jeremiah and run to the Chaldeans.
4. Lesson: God has a figurative face, and it is your favor to help Him smile (Ps 34:11-16).

Section Lessons

1. Lesson: Love the simple if-then options God gives you and leverage them by obedience.
2. Lesson: If you wish for such, then read, even the New Testament (II Cor 6:16-18; 7:1).
3. Lesson: Never, ever think you have a better way to do things – you are begging to die.
4. Lesson: Never, ever think you are a bigger man for taking the harder way over wisdom.
5. Lesson: God has a figurative face, and it is your favor to help Him smile (Ps 34:11-16).

 

 

Zedekiah Should Repent By Civil Judgment  –  Verses 11-12 

 

 

11  And touching the house of the king of Judah, say, Hear ye the word of the LORD;

1. Jehovah had simple advice for Zedekiah after offering survival to the common people.
2. Zedekiah’s house or position as king was a gift from God through David His favorite.
3. Those in authority, contrary to opinion, should be more submissive to God (James 3:1).
4. Lesson: For every role, duty, or privilege of authority, increase your conscience to God.

12  O house of David, thus saith the LORD; Execute judgment in the morning, and deliver him that is spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor, lest my fury go out like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings.

1. The implication here is that if Zedekiah would repent and obey, he could survive, but we know there was no remedy from Manasseh to Zedekiah, thus Josiah’s early death.
2. Judgment here is not punishment; judgment here is equitable, fair, good, right rulings.
3. Delivering the spoiled from oppressors is using authority to save the vulnerable or weak, which is a noble purpose and responsibility of civil rulers (Prov 31:8-9; 28:15; 29:14).
4. If they did not repent and do right, God would unleash unquenchable fury for their sins.
5. Lesson: There is only way to do anything – the right way – and it defined by God only.
6. Lesson: Never excuse yourself from getting involved if you can help anyone in trouble.

Section Lessons

1. Lesson: For every role, duty, or privilege of authority, increase your conscience to God.
2. Lesson: There is only way to do anything – the right way – and it defined by God only.
3. Lesson: Never excuse yourself from getting involved if you can help anyone in trouble.

 

 

Zedekiah Could Not Resist the Ruinous War  –  Verses 13-14 

 

 

13  Behold, I am against thee, O inhabitant of the valley, and rock of the plain, saith the LORD; which say, Who shall come down against us? or who shall enter into our habitations?

1. Somewhat different from the previous warning, this warns against arrogant confidence, though the cause is precisely the same, the evil of their doings or fruit of their doings.
2. The inhabitant of the valley and the rock of the plain are two descriptions of
   1. It looks like a valley, even sitting on small mountains, for higher ones surrounding.
   2. David wrote that Jerusalem was a city with mountains surrounding it (Psalm 125:2)
   3. Isaiah called Jerusalem a valley, for a different angle on David’s view (Isaiah 22:1).
   4. Jerusalem was also near the plain approaching the mountains, thus rock of the plain.
3. The offence here, one of the worst, was to trust their military preparations against God.
   1. They, foolishly like Jebusites before them, mocked any army taking their Jerusalem.
   2. David took Jerusalem from the Jebusites very easily (II Sam 5:6-10; I Chr 11:4-9).
4. Safety is only from the LORD, and His help is only by obedience (Pr 21:31; Ps 127:1).
   1. Association or trust in other nations would never help (Pr 16:5; Is 8:9-15; 30:1-7).
   2. In another place, Jeremiah mocked Jewish trust in Pharoah helping (Jer 37:1-10).
5. Lesson: Favor and safety are only by obedience, not hiring Egypt or sailing to Tarshish.
6. Lesson: We worship Almighty God who is not resisted in the least by man’s best efforts.

14  But I will punish you according to the fruit of your doings, saith the LORD: and I will kindle a fire in the forest thereof, and it shall devour all things round about it.

1. The coming war was not a military calculation but moral compromise offending God.
2. It would not matter how safe they felt in their location or by their military preparedness.
3. Rather than a valley or rock of the plain, God described the judgment as a forest burning.
4. A metaphorical fire of all wood buildings or literal burning up Judah, it would take all.
5. Lesson: The only way for God’s best in life and to avoid judgment is fruitful obedience.
6. Lesson: Jehovah can bring total destruction of a life for sinful compromise. Think Lot!

Section Lessons

1. Lesson: Favor and safety are only by obedience, not hiring Egypt or sailing to Tarshish.
2. Lesson: We worship Almighty God who is not resisted in the least by man’s best efforts.
3. Lesson: The only way for God’s best in life and to avoid judgment is fruitful obedience.
4. Lesson: Jehovah can bring total destruction of a life for sinful compromise. Think Lot!