Journal Through the Bible: Week 72 Monday

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Jeremiah 21:1-22:9

King Zedekiah (see II Kings 24:17) sent a different man named Pashur and a man named Zephaniah (not to be confused with the prophet of the same name that has an Old Testament book named for him) to ask Jeremiah to inquire of the LORD concerning Zedekiah's troubles with the king of Babylon. Zedekiah was suddenly interested in having the LORD'S help fighting against Nebuchadnezzar. He was like many people who have no interest in God unless they need Him for something!

Does God issue any commands?

• God told Jeremiah to tell the messengers sent from the king of Judah to tell him that God Himself would be fighting against Judah in the battle between Judah and Babylon. Many of the people would die of pestilence, famine, and sword but some of those that remained, including the king, would be taken into captivity. (This was totally contrary to what the king wanted! He was hoping God would fight on Judah's side. Obviously, no one had taken Jeremiah's warning messages seriously!)
• God told the people that they had come to a fork in the road. They could choose life or they could choose death. Unfortunately, the way of life was treasonous against the government of Judah.  Those that surrendered to the Chaldeans would live. Those that remained in the city would die.
• God told Zedekiah as the representative of the House of David that he should execute proper justice in the court to help the oppressed victims, those who had been attacked by violent offenders, the widows and orphans, and the innocent and if he didn't God's justice would come down like fire to punish him for his corrupt court.
• God also told the people that lived in the valley and on the rock of the plain who considered themselves safe from their enemies that He would kindle a fire in the forest that would destroy their homes.

Does God make any promises?

• God promised judgment upon the king and upon the people. (This was the agreed-upon condition of the covenant since its inception with the generation that settled in the land after their parents had left Egypt. God was just delivering what was promised after the people defaulted on their part of the agreement.)
• God promised Zedekiah that if he would execute proper judgment in the courts the House of David would continue to rule safely in Jerusalem but if he didn't that House would become a desolation.

Does this passage teach anything about Jesus?

• The House of David was meant to rule Israel forever, but the corrupt kings, including Zedekiah, were the direct opposite of the type of ruler God planned for them. They were supposed to be Godly men who ruled in God's righteousness. Therefore Zedekiah is the antithesis of Jesus. 

Does this passage teach anything about yet-future events?

• God told Zedekiah that the rule of the House of David would be interrupted with the coming captivity. God had also previously promised David that his House would rule forever. The time is coming when the Offspring of David will rule Israel on His Father's throne forever.