1 The word which came unto Jeremiah from the LORD, when king Zedekiah sent unto him Pashur the son of Melchiah, and Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest, saying,
2 Inquire, I pray thee, of the LORD for us; for Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon maketh war against us; if so be that the LORD will deal with us according to all his wondrous works, that he may go up from us.
3 Then said Jeremiah unto them, Thus shall ye say to Zedekiah:
4 Thus saith the LORD God of Israel; Behold, I will turn back the weapons of war that [are] in your hands, wherewith ye fight against the king of Babylon, and [against] the Chaldeans, which besiege you without the walls, and I will assemble them into the midst of this city.
5 And I myself will fight against you with an outstretched hand and with a strong arm, even in anger, and in fury, and in great wrath.
6 And I will smite the inhabitants of this city, both man and beast: they shall die of a great pestilence.
7 And afterward, saith the LORD, I will deliver Zedekiah king of Judah, and his servants, and the people, and such as are left in this city from the pestilence, from the sword, and from the famine, into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of those that seek their life: and he shall smite them with the edge of the sword; he shall not spare them, neither have pity, nor have mercy.
8 And unto this people thou shalt say, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I set before you the way of life, and the way of death.
9 He that abideth in this city shall die by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence: but he that goeth out, and falleth to the Chaldeans that besiege you, he shall live, and his life shall be unto him for a prey.
10 For I have set my face against this city for evil, and not for good, saith the LORD: it shall be given into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall burn it with fire.
11 And touching the house of the king of Judah, [say], Hear ye the word of the LORD;
12 O house of David, thus saith the LORD; Execute judgment in the morning, and deliver [him that is] spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor, lest my fury go out like fire, and burn that none can quench [it], because of the evil of your doings.
13 Behold, I [am] against thee, O inhabitant of the valley, [and] rock of the plain, saith the LORD; which say, Who shall come down against us? or who shall enter into our habitations?
14 But I will punish you according to the fruit of your doings, saith the LORD: and I will kindle a fire in the forest thereof, and it shall devour all things round about it.
Context and Background
Jeremiah 21 is a significant chapter within the Book of Jeremiah, which is situated in the Old Testament of the Bible. This chapter occurs during a tumultuous period in Judah’s history, specifically during the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem. The chapter serves as a pivotal moment where the prophet Jeremiah communicates God’s message to King Zedekiah regarding the impending doom of the city and the consequences of disobedience to God.
Summary of Content
The chapter can be divided into several key sections that illustrate the themes of divine judgment, the futility of human efforts, and the call for repentance.
1. Inquiry from King Zedekiah (Verses 1-2)
- King Zedekiah sends messengers to Jeremiah.
- The inquiry seeks God’s guidance regarding the fate of Jerusalem amidst the Babylonian siege.
- Zedekiah expresses hope that God might perform a miracle to save the city.
2. God’s Response Through Jeremiah (Verses 3-7)
In response to Zedekiah’s inquiry, God delivers a message through Jeremiah, emphasizing the following points:
- God declares that He will not intervene to save Jerusalem.
- Instead, the city will fall into the hands of the Babylonians.
- God will turn against the inhabitants of Jerusalem, leading to their destruction.
- The message emphasizes the inevitability of judgment due to persistent disobedience.
3. A Call to Repentance and Survival (Verses 8-10)
Jeremiah conveys an important message to the people of Jerusalem:
- God offers a choice between life and death.
- The people are urged to surrender to the Babylonians to save their lives.
- Failure to heed this warning will lead to death and destruction.
4. The Fate of the City and Its Leaders (Verses 11-14)
The chapter concludes with a warning directed specifically at the house of David:
- God calls for justice and righteousness among the leaders.
- He warns of the consequences of their failure to uphold justice.
- The chapter ends with a stark reminder that the city will face judgment for its sins.
Thematic Analysis
Several prominent themes emerge from Jeremiah 21 that resonate throughout the chapter:
1. Divine Judgment
The chapter underscores the theme of divine judgment, emphasizing that God’s patience has worn thin due to the persistent sin of His people. The prophecy serves as a reminder that disobedience leads to dire consequences.
2. The Futility of Human Efforts
Zedekiah’s request for divine intervention reflects a common human tendency to seek miraculous solutions while ignoring the root causes of problems. God’s refusal to save Jerusalem highlights the futility of relying on human strength or political alliances in the face of divine judgment.
3. The Importance of Repentance
The call for the people to surrender to Babylon illustrates the necessity of humility and repentance. It suggests that acknowledging one’s failures and submitting to God’s will is essential for survival.
4. Justice and Righteousness
The emphasis on justice and righteousness serves as a reminder of the moral responsibilities of leaders. God’s concern for social justice is evident, highlighting that leadership should reflect divine principles.
Conclusion
Jeremiah 21 serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the importance of aligning oneself with God’s will. Through the prophetic message delivered to King Zedekiah, the chapter encapsulates the themes of judgment, the futility of human efforts, the necessity of repentance, and the moral obligations of leadership. It stands as a poignant call to both individuals and leaders to seek righteousness and justice in their lives and governance.
