Jeremiah

Jeremiah 21:1-2

Zedekiah was a puppet king set up by Nebuchadnezzar after the failed rebellion of Jehoiakim.  Pashur is an official for the king, not the same Pashur of chapter 20.  Zephaniah was 2^nd priest, just below chief priest.  Zedekiah was hoping for a miracle as God had done in the past for His people.  He has in mind the withdraw of Assyrians during King Hezekiah's days.  But the warnings had come repeatedly and Zedekiah had not heeded the Lord.  It's almost strange they would look to the Lord now. 

Jeremiah 21:3-10

The Lord makes it clear through Jeremiah that destruction has arrived.  It wasn't that they had to worry about just the Babylonians, but it would be like the Lord Himself was warring against them.  The Lord would fight with "an outstretched hand and mighty arm".  This phrase brings to mind the way the Lord warred against Pharoah in Egypt.  Now that same intensity is turned toward Israel, even to the use of the plague. 

The 'plague, sword and famine' are the tools for judgment.  Those that survive will be turned over to Nebuchadnezzar only to find out he will show no mercy. 

Before them was the way of life and death; to surrender to this gentile king was life, to resist was death.  What a choice!  The choice to follow God is not always and easy and comfortable choice.  But there is never a better way than obedience.

Jeremiah 21:11-14

The king was given specific instruction.  One of his basic responsibilities was to administer justice, to protect the oppressed.  Zedekiah had been weak in his role as king.  The 'or' must surely have moved Zedekiah to make a few changes. 

Judgment was coming.  Many lived complacent and apathetic lives with an attitude of 'Who can come against us?" or "Who can enter our refuge?".  The Lord declares he would punish them for the idolatry, rebellion and disobedience, the deeds that brought judgment.  The fire is lit.

©2018 Doug Ford