Jeremiah 21:1-14
This is a short chapter but something really important is about to happen.
👉 King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon is waging war on Judah. King Zedekiah of Judah sends men to ask Jeremiah if the Lord is going to fight on their behalf.
Have you ever asked a question and then regretted it? Yeah, me too.
The Lord responds by telling them that, not only would he not fight on their behalf, he himself would fight against them.
Well, that’s unfortunate.
👉 The Lord is sending them into exile; he is giving them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar.
They are given two scenarios.
- They leave the city, surrender and be taken into exile.
- They remain in the city and die by the sword of their enemy.
👉 The real choice here is accepting or rejecting the discipline of the Lord.
The people had been rebellious, unfaithful, and wicked. But – in this exile – though painful – was a chance for restoration.
We will see in chapter 31 that the people who “survived the sword” – those who accepted the discipline of the Lord – “found grace in the wilderness.”
Even in exile – the Lord was there.
You are loved.
