Key Verse:
Jeremiah 38:15 NASB
15 And Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, “If I tell you, will you not certainly put me to death? Besides, if I give you advice, you will not listen to me.”
Epilogue: a final or concluding act….
Over the last several weeks, we have looked at several episodes in the lives of the ancient Hebrew prophets. These ancient prophets held the responsibility of speaking as they were inspired by God. Typically, when they were called by God, it was to bring words of warning and correction to the leadership of a nation, Israel (or Judah), that had gone astray. No one of God’s prophets better exemplifies this commitment to God’s calling than Jeremiah.
Jeremiah records, for us, the end of an age. An age where kings ruled in ancient Israel. Jeremiah records the events that lead to the collapse of the throne of David across the reign of its last five kings: Josiah, Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and finally… Zedekiah. This week’s lesson captures an interaction between Jeremiah and Zedekiah preceding the destruction of Judah at the hands of Nebuchadnezzar according to God’s judgment against them.
Jeremiah 38:14 NASB
14 Then King Zedekiah sent word and [a]had Jeremiah the prophet brought to him at the third entrance that is in the house of the Lord; and the king said to Jeremiah, “I am going to ask you something; do not hide anything from me.”
This is the third recorded meeting between Zedekiah and Jeremiah. Judah was under siege by the army of Babylon. This would be the final siege. Nebuchadnezzar was determined to bring Judah to its knees. Zedekiah hoped for a way out, an alternative ending. He summoned Jeremiah to a private antechamber, believed to be a private entry for the king and his court from the palace into the temple. Zedekiah desired a private meeting with Jeremiah, with the thought that with less contention between them, as there had been there prior meetings, perhaps he would receive a different message from the prophet of God. To his credit, he did not ask Jeremiah to lie to him, but to be truthful.
Jeremiah 38:15 NASB
15 And Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, “If I tell you, will you not certainly put me to death? Besides, if I give you advice, you will not listen to me.”
Jeremiah’s response is telling. Both of their prior meetings resulted in Jeremiah’s imprisonment and very nearly, his death. Additionally, from Jeremiah’s viewpoint, his previous messages had gone unheeded. What would be the point? Herein lies a clue into the vulnerability that Jeremiah felt. His ministry endured for over forty years. In that time, he only found favor with king Josiah, with whom he worked to bring religious reform to the land of Judah. After that, all of Jeremiah’s prophecies fell on deaf ears, on hearts full of hostility. Yet, Jeremiah persevered. He continued to preach God’s Word, no matter the obstinance of the audience.
Jeremiah 20:8-9 NASB
8
For each time I speak, I cry aloud;
I proclaim violence and destruction,
Because for me the word of the Lord has [b]resulted
In taunting and derision all day long.
9
But if I say, “I will not remember Him
Nor speak anymore in His name,”
Then in my heart it becomes like a burning fire
Shut up in my bones;
And I am tired of holding it in,
And I cannot endure it.
In that time, Jeremiah suffered greatly as a result of his preaching. He only had one song. Repent! It wasn’t a popular tune. Jeremiah didn’t have many friends. Such was the life of the prophet. However, Jeremiah remained faithful to God. It is a testament to the strength of his character and an example to all of us to persevere in difficulty. Knowing that God with us is greater than the whole world against us.
Romans 8:31 NASB
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?
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Jeremiah 38:16 NASB
16 But King Zedekiah swore to Jeremiah in secret, saying, “As the Lord lives, who made this [b]life for us, I certainly will not put you to death, nor will I hand you over to these men who are seeking your [c]life.”
Conversely, Zedekiah’s words ring hollow in Jeremiah’s ears. He called this meeting in secret. That can be taken to mean that Zedekiah’s public persona is much different than his private persona. Scripture bears that out. His previous meetings with Jeremiah had been contentious, but he had been surrounded by his officials. They hated Jeremiah and had actively pursued his demise. They accused Jeremiah of being in league with the Babylonians. Certainly, they must have thought that eliminating Jeremiah might alleviate some of the dread they were experiencing during the siege. They wanted control of the narrative. They couldn’t wrest it away from Nebuchadnezzar. He was just outside their gates, starving them out. Maybe, they thought, they could silence God’s Messenger.
James 1:5-8 NASB
They were a bad influence on Zedekiah and therein lies the problem. Zedekiah was unstable. He was double-minded. He presented one persona in public, but quite another in private. His indecision prolonged the siege and thus, the suffering of his citizens, God’s people in Judah.
Jeremiah 38:17-18 NASB
17 So Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, “This is what the Lord God of armies, the God of Israel says: ‘If you will indeed surrender to the officers of the king of Babylon, then [d]you will live, this city will not be burned with fire, and you and your household will [e]survive. 18 But if you do not surrender to the officers of the king of Babylon, then this city will be handed over to the Chaldeans; and they will burn it with fire, and you yourself will not escape from their hands.’”
If you look closely, you’ll see, in God, a trace of irony. He gives Jeremiah a Word for Zedekiah. Zedekiah, the uncertain, unstable ruler has options, exactly two options: surrender to Babylon and live or, continue in rebellion to God’s instruction and… die. Again, in His own way, God is leaving us clues concerning the weakness of character of Zedekiah. He simply could not bring himself to trust God.
Psalm 118:9 NASB
9
It is better to take refuge in the Lord
Than to trust in noblemen.
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Jeremiah 38:19 NASB
19 Then King Zedekiah said to Jeremiah, “I am in fear of the Jews who have deserted to the Chaldeans, for they may hand me over to them, and they will abuse me.”
Right on cue, Zedekiah responds exactly as Jeremiah’s words predict. Entirely predictable. And… very, very sad. Zedekiah’s indecision will prove costly.
Jeremiah 38:20 NASB
20 But Jeremiah said, “They will not turn you over. Please [f]obey the Lord in what I am saying to you, so that it may go well for you and [g]you may live.
You can almost hear Jeremiah’s heartbreak. “Please obey God…so that you may live!” Just obey. Just trust. Just have faith. Believe. Jeremiah’s words ache with compassion. Did he draw Zedekiah close? Did he place a comforting hand on Zedekiah’s shoulder? This was a private meeting between two countrymen. Can’t you feel the desire for Zedekiah’s salvation in Jeremiah’s plea?
Jeremiah 38:21-22 NASB
21 But if you keep refusing to surrender, this is the word which the Lord has shown me: 22 ‘Behold, all of the women who have been left in the palace of the king of Judah are going to be brought out to the officers of the king of Babylon; and those women will say,
“[h]Your close friends
Have misled and overpowered you;
While your feet were sunk in the mire,
They turned back.”
Jeremiah reveals that the information that he’s sharing with Zedekiah is pretty much the common opinion among people in the know. Zedekiah’s trust is misplaced. Even the women, those who must remain silent in the presence of men, know the truth. It’s staring them in the face. While Zedekiah’s feet are metaphorically mired in the quicksand of indecision, the very ‘friends to whom he has been listening are abandoning him. And the women know it and will tell it… soon.
Jeremiah 38:23 NASB
23 They are also going to bring out all your wives and your sons to the Chaldeans, and you yourself will not escape from their hand, but will be seized by the hand of the king of Babylon, and this city will be burned with fire.’”
Beloved, God is love. He loves Zedekiah so much that in this very private meeting, he provides Jeremiah with very detailed instructions on how Zedekiah should proceed and a very detailed description of the consequences of Zedekiah’s disobedience… all in advance. That’s love. Don’t mistake it for anything else. God loves us so much that He sent His Son, who sacrificed Himself for us so that we might live eternally in Him. He left us his Word, with the really simple instruction to ... just trust Him. Just trust Him
2 Timothy 4:2 NASB
2 preach the word; be ready [a]in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and [b]exhort, with [c]great patience and instruction
Paul encourages Timothy to preach the Word, whether they want to hear it, or not. This was Jeremiah’s charge as well. Just say (and do) what God says. Then, trust God. Whatever trouble might arise as the result of your trust, God is able to see you through. Be Jeremiah. Speak the Word. Trust God.
Selah
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