The Book of Jeremiah
Lesson 11
Jeremiah 21 - 22
Introduction
In our last lesson, Jeremiah felt violated by God. There are a couple of different translations of chapter 20, but to summarize, because of the persecutions that he faced, being thrown in jail and having his life threatened, Jeremiah withdrew his consent from God. He no longer wished to speak or prophecy in God’s name; in fact, he wished not to prophecy at all. Yet, Jeremiah found that he was unable not to prophecy, he was forced to do so against his will. The word of God was such a force within him, it was like fire in his bones.
I. What does Zedekiah believe God will do, and why?
a) We have now moved to the reign of King Zedekiah (ca. 598-587 BCE) who is the last king of Judah. Over the next several weeks, we will learn of his reign and what God has planned for him (I just gave you a hint). In v. 1, Zedekiah sends Pashhur to Jeremiah inquiring of the Lord because Nebuchadnezzar has made war on Judah and Zedekiah is hopeful, believing “…perhaps the LORD will perform a wonderful deed for us, as he has often done, and will make him withdraw from us (v. 2).” Zedekiah is hopeful a “wonderful deed) because Judah is God’s people and God has saved them many times before.
b) Jeremiah sends word back to Zedekiah saying that no wonderful deed is forthcoming; instead, God will fight against them. The weapons they are using to fight against the Chaldeans (Babylon) will be turned against them. “I myself will fight against you with outstretched hand and mighty arm, in anger, in fury, and in great wrath (v. 5).” God will deliver the city into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar and everyone who remains in the city will die either by sword, famine or pestilence (v. 7, 9). Jeremiah prophesied this in 14:12 & 15:2; it is now coming to pass.
c) However, not everyone will die. Those who surrender to the Chaldeans will be spared; “…but those who go out and surrender to the Chaldeans who are besieging you shall live and shall have their lives as a prize of war (v. 9).” Again, Jeremiah’s previous prophecies (16:13-16) are not coming to pass.
II. What does it mean to execute justice?
a) As I have said previously, Jeremiah is not written sequentially; chapter 22 historically precedes the events of chapter 21. Here, God invokes the king to execute justice in the land. Justice is to deliver the people from an oppressor (v. 3). Jeremiah mentions one who has been robbed; but it can also be one who has been defrauded, cheated, or even one who has lost money or land by being deceived. Also, you are to do neither harm (wrong) or violence to the alien (immigrant), orphan, or widow.
b) If you obey this word (and execute justice), Kings will reign in the land and sit upon David’s throne, riding horses and chariots; they, their servants and the people (v. 4). “But if you will not heed these words, I swear by myself, says the LORD, that this house shall become a desolation (v. 5).” Gilead and Lebanon were forests where the best wood was found; the temple and the king’s palace were built with this wood; “but I swear that I will make you a desert, an uninhabited city. I will prepare destroyers against you, all with their weapons; they shall cut down your choicest cedars and cast them into the fire (vs. 6-7).”
c) We have seen in the previous chapter that neither King nor people obeyed God’s word and God turned against the people and fought to deliver them to the Chaldeans. Because these chapters are out of sequence, this comes as a warning to the king which was not heeded.
III. Who was Shallum and what did he do?
a) Shallum was Josiah’s son Jehoiakim who became king after his father’s death. He was taken away captive and God declared that he would not return (v. 11).
b) “Woe to him who builds his house by unrighteousness, and his upper rooms by injustice; who makes his neighbors work for nothing, and does not give them their wages… (v. 13).” He built himself a spacious house but did so on the wages on the poor while he enriched himself. His father executed justice, “He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well. Is not this to know me? says the LORD (v. 16).” However, Jehoiakim only enriched himself, “your eyes and heart are only on your dishonest gain, for shedding innocent blood, and for practicing oppression and violence (v. 17).”
c) Because Jehoiakim enriched himself and did not execute justice by aiding the cause of the poor and needy, He was dragged from Jerusalem and died (v. 19). Jehoiakim, much like Zedekiah, did not act justly and did not heed the word of God. For this, not only did both kings die, but the nation was destroyed and a remanent carried into exile.
Next Week: Jeremiah 23 - 24
Questions for the week:
1. Who is responsible for the scattering of the sheep?
2. What will happen to the prophets?
3. What is the sign of the figs?