8.13 Jeremiah 37-39

Ryan Hofstetter

8.13.2020

Jeremiah 37-39

Summary:  This is the time just before Jerusalem falls to Babylon.  King Zedekiah sent a message to Jeremiah to pray for Jerusalem.  Jeremiah told King Zedekiah that the Babylonians would return to capture and burn the city because they only left because of Egypt.  Jeremiah said that the Lord said to not be deceived into thinking that this won’t happen.  After King Zedekiah dismissed Jeremiah, the people imprisoned him thinking that he was a deserter.  King Zedekiah later called for Jeremiah from prison and he was allowed to stay in the king’s courtyard.  

Jeremiah told the people that Jerusalem would fall to the Babylonians and that they should surrender before this happens.  The people told King Zedekiah that Jeremiah should be put to death.  King Zedekiah refused, but instead let the people take him.  The people threw Jeremiah into a cistern to die.  King Zedekiah was told what happened to Jeremiah and he had Jeremiah saved.  Jeremiah then warned King Zedekiah to turn himself over to the Babylonians to protect himself and his family.  Jeremiah warned that if King Zedekiah didn’t do this, everyone will end up in the hands of the Babylonians.  King Zedekiah asked Jeremiah not to share this with anyone and Jeremiah kept his promise.

God’s word, through Jeremiah, came to fruition.  The Babylonians came back.  King Zedekiah tried to run, but was captured.  His sons and all of the nobles were killed before his eyes.  King Zedekiah’s eyes were cut out and he was bound and forced to Babylon with the rest of Jerusalem.  Only the poor and the weak were left behind.  The Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar ordered that Jeremiah be left alone and be given whatever he asked for.  God told Jeremiah to give Ebed-Melek the Cushite a message that he had been saved by the Lord because of his trust in the Lord.

What is one key verse?  

Jeremiah 39:16 “Go and tell Ebed-Melek the Cushite this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says ‘I am about to fulfill my words against this city through disaster, not prosperity. At this time, they will be fulfilled before your eyes.’ “

How does what you read change your vision of God?  This verse shows me that God’s will is absolute – His plan is set.  Israel was supposed to be prosperous.  But they didn’t obey and they made God jealous with their idolatrous ways and other wickedness.  So God’s plan moved forward and Israel met disaster instead.  God is a constant.  His will and plans are a force that cannot be changed.  We can see another example of this in the Book of Jonah.  Jonah defies God’s command and tries to run away by boat.  God sent a violent storm against the boat and eventually Jonah is thrown into the sea where he is swallowed by a big fish.  The fish takes him to Nineveh after Jonah prays to God.  Nineveh being where God commanded Jonah to go in the first place.

How does what you read change your vision of yourself or others?  I see that God’s will is going to come to fruition no matter what I may want in the moment.  If my heart and mind are right, I will want God’s plan and will work toward that goal.

How will you Go With God because of this reading?  I will try to be more in tune to God’s will for my life and less focused on what I want.

Where did you see Jesus in these chapters?  I see Jesus in Jeremiah.  Specifically, when King Zedekiah wouldn’t kill Jeremiah, but instead let the people take him.