Jeremiah

Jeremiah 38:1-4

The officials of Zedekiah's government overheard Jeremiah's prophecy.  The prophecy sounded traitorous.  Surrender sounded demeaning and weak; while standing strong at the temple, behind the wall, against these enemies sounded right.  It only sounded correct to the flesh because the word of God had already been established repeatedly that Judgment was coming.  It came to a choice of trusting in the city and false prophets or trust Jeremiah's word was God's word.

They thought this was deserving of death.  Jeremiah's word was demoralizing the troops; they were losing hope. They were sure he wasn't speaking in a manner that was best for the people.  In their mind, this was the death penalty.  Yet, he was offering life while they were facing death.  He had nothing to gain by convincing people to surrender.

Jeremiah 38:5-13

The enraged officials become a mob that Zedekiah has no resolve to resist.  Even if he chose to oppose them, it's not clear if he would be able to.  These men put Jeremiah in the cistern; they had not willingness to just kill him, they sought to see it done secondary to another punishment. 

Cisterns were underground storage tanks cut into rock.  They could be as deep as 120 feet; the typical cistern was 15-20 foot deep with a 2 foot hole at the top.  Jeremiah was placed in a cistern.  Ebed-Melek understood right away that this was a death sentence.  He would not stand by and say nothing.  This man was a servant in the palace, a eunuch from Cush.  He apparently had the ear of the king because he spoke boldly to him. 

While the seems to have been powerless to stop the men from putting Jeremiah in the cistern, he seems to have found some resolve to support his servant saving him.  The 35 men would have kept the resisters (mob) at bay while they pulled Jeremiah out.  Ebed takes extra care to pad the ropes around Jeremiah, looking out for his well being.  It's strange this gentile eunuch cared more about the prophet than all the people in the city. 

Jeremiah 38:14-

Some time later, Zedekiah sends for Jeremiah.  He knows this man speaks for God, deep down he desires to hear his words.  He wanted to hear the truth.  The truth kept getting Jeremiah in trouble.  He knew telling the truth might get him killed and no one would listen anyway.  The oath of Zedekiah is somewhat laughable (see 34:8-11).  I wonder if Jeremiah realized how worthless it was. 

Jeremiah gives Zedekiah a pretty good option.  He could spare the city and his life, as well as the lives of many others.  What kept him from taking this offer?  It was fear!  He was afraid of the people who had already surrendered, those who opposed his rebellion against Nebuchadnezzar.   He is given the assurance that obeying the Lord is the only way to go.  He feared men more than God.

Jeremiah reveals that the people Jeremiah fears will let him down.  They misled him to rebel and trust in Egypt.  When Jeremiah was stuck in the mud, his friend came; when Zedekiah gets stuck, no one will be there. 

It is interesting and noteworthy that Jeremiah lied to the officials who questioned him.  Zedekiah knew they would.  The lie avoided trouble for Zedekiah, but particularly for Jeremiah.  A few lines ago we learned the obedience to the Lord is always the best way to go.  Then, we see this lie.  What do you suppose the Lord thought of this lie? 

©2018 Doug Ford