Jeremiah 34-39: Judah’s Fall
Introduction
1. As Jerusalem’s final destruction loomed closer, the
sufferings of the prophet who foretold it intensified.
2. This section is not strictly chronological, but it is
arranged very logically to help us understand what occurs.
I.
Before the Fall of Jerusalem (34-36)
A.
Announcing the Disaster (34:1-7)
1.
When the Babylonians came against Jerusalem, God sent a message to
Zedekiah thru Jeremiah.
a)
Jerusalem would not be able to withstand the Babylonians; the city would
be burned.
b)
Zedekiah would not escape either; he would find himself face to face with
Nebuchadnezzar.
2.
There was a message of hope, however, in the midst of Jehovah’s
pronouncement.
a)
Zedekiah would not die in battle; he would die in peace and be lamented
by his people.
(1)
Was this promise conditional upon Zedekiah’s surrender? It does not seem
so.
(2)
Dying in peace may simply have the significance of not dying in battle.
b)
Zedekiah did not die in battle; he died in Babylon, but he suffered
greatly beforehand.
3.
At this time, only two fortified cities remained in Judah besides
Jerusalem.
B.
Justifying the Disaster (34:8-36:32)
The next three chapters give three justifications
for Judah’s judgment in reverse chronological order.
1.
God’s
Covenant Had Been Broken (34)
a)
Previously when danger threatened Judah, the leaders suddenly “found
religion.” 34:8-11
(1)
The law required Hebrew slaves to be released every seventh year.
(2)
The leaders committed to doing right, but they quickly changed their
mind.
b)
Therefore, God proclaimed liberty for them – liberty to be killed by the
sword! 34:17-20
(1)
This event apparently occurred when Babylon temporarily withdrew. (34:22;
37:11)
(2)
The Babylonians would return and devastate Judah for their treacherous
behavior.
c)
Application: How many make quick commitments to God in distress,
only to later recant?
(1)
“Get me out of this mess, Lord, and I will go to church and do the right
thing!”
(2)
We don’t need jailhouse religion or rank hypocrisy; we need true
conversion. 29:13
2.
God’s
Instruction Had Been Disregarded (35)
a)
Jeremiah was told to gather the Rechabites and offer them a drink of
wine. 35:3-11
(1)
The Rechabites had faithfully obeyed their father’s instructions for over
200 years.
(2)
An entire clan of people lived an ascetic, nomadic lifestyle because of
an ancestor.
b)
One man had given one law and his family followed his instruction for
many generations.
(1)
But God had sent many prophets for many years, but His people did not
listen.
(2)
The faithfulness of Rechab stands in stark contrast to the unfaithfulness
of Judah.
c)
Application: How seriously do we take the commands to honor and
obey our parents?
(1)
God will honor those who honor their fathers’ commandments. 35:18-19
(2)
What if parents make rules stricter than God’s law? (e.g.
dating, modesty, etc.)
3.
God’s
Preaching Had Been Defied (36)
a)
During Jehoiakim’s reign, YHWH commanded the first edition of Jeremiah
to be published.
(1)
Jeremiah dictated the prophecies to Baruch, who read them in the Temple.
(2)
Some of the princes whose fathers served Josiah questioned Baruch about
the book.
b)
While Jeremiah and Baruch hid, the princes approached the king about the
book. 36:20-26
(1)
The king had no fear in burning the book or seeking to arrest the
prophet.
(2)
Urijah was killed early in Jehoiakim’s reign, arrested by Elnathan.
26:22-23; 36:25
(3)
YHWH commanded the scroll to be re-written; the later edition was
expanded. 36:32
c)
Application: Do we read the word of God with reverence or with
contempt? 2Ki. 22:11-13
(1)
Jehoiakim burned the scroll, but God’s word could not be destroyed.
23:29
(2)
Some who would never cut and burn a Bible read it with the same contempt.
II.
During the Fall of Jerusalem (37-39)
A.
Jeremiah’s Suffering During the Siege (37-38)
There are three cycles in these chapters of
confrontation, confinement, and release.
1.
Consulted by Zedekiah, Confined by Princes, Relieved by Zedekiah
(37:1-21)
a)
During a time when Jeremiah was not in prison, Zedekiah requested his
prayers for the city.
(1)
Previously when Judah was threatened by Assyria, Hezekiah and Isaiah had
prayed.
(2)
God had delivered the people at that time, and Zedekiah hoped He would do
it again.
b)
The Babylonians initially besieged Jerusalem but pulled back when
Egyptian relief came.
(1)
This would have given the Jews hope, especially the pro-Egyptian party.
(2)
But Jeremiah sent back a message of doom from God. 37:6-10
c)
When the Babylonians pulled back, Jeremiah tried to go to Anathoth.
(1)
He may have been taking possession of the property he bought while in
prison. (32)
(2)
He was accused of trying to defect, was beaten, and was imprisoned.
37:13-15
d)
After some time, Zedekiah sought a private interview with the prophet.
37:16-17
(1)
Jeremiah’s prophecies had proven true, yet he was in prison. 37:18-19
(2)
At Jeremiah’s request, Zedekiah upgraded his condition in prison.
37:20-21
e)
Application: What should we think when our circumstances improve
while we are in sin?
(1)
Some people see blessings in their lives as a sure sign of God’s favor.
(Ro. 2:4)
(2)
God’s goodness should lead to repentance; good things don’t change God’s
word.
2.
Accused by Princes, Confined by Princes, Rescued by Ebed-Melech (38:1-13)
a)
Apparently Jeremiah kept preaching to whoever would listen, even while in
prison.
(1)
The princes heard his words and asked the king to execute him. 38:1-4
(2)
Zedekiah was weak; he allowed the princes to have their way. 38:5-6
b)
Jeremiah would have died slowly of starvation, but a faithful Ethiopian
saved him. 38:7-13
(1)
Zedekiah had no strength of personal conviction; he was a follower, not a
leader.
(2)
Ebed-Melech, a foreigner, feared Jehovah and was rewarded for his faith.
39:15-18
c)
Application: What is the difference between Zedekiah and his
servant Ebed-Melech?
(1)
Ebed-Melech was a foreigner, but he bravely stood for justice and pleased
God.
(2)
True faith is courageous, even if it places us on the line in harm’s way.
3.
Consulted by Zedekiah, Confronted by Princes, Released by Babylonians
(38:14-28)
a)
Again Zedekiah conferred with Jeremiah, who questioned his honesty.
38:14-23
(1)
Zedekiah feared doing what God commanded; his fear was greater any faith
in God.
(2)
Jeremiah made it clear that surrender was the king’s only hope.
b)
Knowing the princes would question Jeremiah, the king told him what to
say. 38:24-28
(1)
Jeremiah told the truth but withheld what they had no right to know.
(2)
It seems evident in this section that the princes were largely in
control.
c)
Jeremiah remained in prison until the city fell and was set free by the
Babylonians. 39:11-14
(1)
This was in fulfillment of God’s promise to Jeremiah. 15:11
(2)
Nebuchadnezzar knew of Jehovah’s servant, and he acted in his interests.
d)
Application: How is courage required in learning and obeying God’s
will?
(1)
Zedekiah knew better than God; he feared what would happen if he obeyed
YHWH.
(2)
Don’t try to improve on God’s plan or out-think Him: trust and obey
Jehovah.
B.
Jerusalem’s Suffering After the Siege (39)
1.
Chapter thirty-nine is a condensed account of the destruction of
Jerusalem. 39:1-10
a)
More complete accounts are found in chapter fifty-two and in Second Kings
twenty-five.
b)
This summary confirms Jeremiah’s authenticity and advances the narrative
in this section.
2.
Zedekiah suffered severely for rejecting God’s will and refusing to
surrender.
a)
Jehovah had warned the king that he could not escape, but he foolishly
tried anyway.
b)
Zedekiah was a coward who would not obey God, and he paid a terrible
price for his sin.
Conclusion:
Jeremiah’s suffering intensified along with Judah’s, but the prophet remained
faithful to God.
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