Reading: Jeremiah 37-40
Then said Jeremiah unto Zedekiah, Thus saith the Lord, the God of hosts, the God of Israel; If thou wilt assuredly go forth unto the king of Babylon’s princes, then thy soul shall live, and this city shall not be burned with fire; and thou shalt live, and thine house: But if thou wilt not go forth to the king of Babylon’s princes, then shall this city be given into the hand of the Chaldeans, and they shall burn it with fire, and thou shalt not escape out of their hand (Jer. 38:17-18).
Zedekiah, son of godly Josiah, was the last Judean king to rule in Jerusalem. Despite his father's righteousness, Zedekiah soon proved to be a man whom neither feared nor honored the Lord. Zedekiah was one and twenty years old when he began to reign, and reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord his God, and humbled not himself before Jeremiah the prophet speaking from the mouth of the Lord (II Chr. 36:11-12). Going against God's commands, Zedekiah sought an alliance with Egypt. This upset the delicate balance between the nominally independent state of Judah and the Babylonian empire (the Chaldeans) to which they paid tribute, causing Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, to order a siege on Jerusalem.
The heavily fortified city held out for nearly a year and a half, but the horrors of famine and pestilence had taken a heavy toll on her once proud inhabitants. Seeing that nothing was left, Zedekiah attempted to flee the city, despite having been repeatedly warned against that course of action by Jeremiah. But the Chaldeans’ army pursued after them, and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho: and when they had taken him, they brought him up to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to Riblah in the land of Hamath, where he gave judgment upon him. Then the king of Babylon slew the sons of Zedekiah in Riblah before his eyes: also the king of Babylon slew all the nobles of Judah. Moreover he put out Zedekiah’s eyes, and bound him with chains, to carry him to Babylon (Jer. 39:5-7). In this manner were the prophecies of God fulfilled (Ezek. 12:12-13).
We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost (II Pet. 1:19-21). God gave Zedekiah every opportunity to save himself and his family, but in the end, Zedekiah trusted only in the physical world. Zedekiah refused to believe the Word of God, and he paid for his disbelief with his dearest blood.
God’s Word is immutable and inerrant, and it is all that stands between this world and the fiery pits of hell. It is within its pages that we can find the path of Christ and discover the gift of eternal life. If we choose to dismiss it and rely instead upon the ‘wisdom’ of mankind, then we can expect a fate even worse than Zedekiah’s.
Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools (Rom. 1:21-22).
Thought For Today:Those who choose to trust the word of the world over the Word of God will always have their trust betrayed.
Christ Portrayed: By Jeremiah, who stood as a faithful witness to the revealed will of God (Jer. 38:2-9). Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness (testimony) against Jesus, to put Him to death (Matt. 26:59).
Word Studies:37:16 cabins = cells; 38:4 weakeneth the hands of = discourages; 38:12 cast clouts = worn-out clothes; 38:19 mock = abuse; 39:18 for a prey = as a prize; 40:4 forbear = do what you prefer.
Pray For Staff: Ryan McCrary • Government Officials: Rep. Tim Burchett (TN), Rep. Paul Ruiz (CA) • Country: Aruba (110,663) Caribbean • Major Languages: Papiamento, Spanish, English • Religious Freedom • 75.4% Roman Catholic; 4.9% Protestant; 1.7% Jehovah's Witness; 12% Other; 5.5% None; 0.5% Unspecified • Prayer Suggestion: Pray to be considerate to the less fortunate (Ps. 41:1).
Optional Readings:III John 1