The Promise Breakers

Jeremiah 34

Egypt sends an army north to fight Nebuchadnezzar in response to Israel’s call for help. I find it ironic that they considered themselves so fiercely independent, they had to break their treaty with Nebuchadnezzar. And yet, they turned around and made a similar treaty with Egypt. Neb kept his treaties - Egypt was as unreliable as a reed. Isaiah 36:6

Nebuchadnezzar trounced the Egyptian chariots as fast as Russia trounced American tanks, and marched back to Jerusalem - capturing the last two fortified cities south of Jerusalem on the way. This chapter transpires just before and during his brief absence from Jerusalem.

  • 34:3 “you will not escape his grasp” - not redundant. Zedekiah may have thought he had dodged the bullet when Nebuchadnezzar left to deal with Egypt. But God says no. He must still meet his earthly master face to face, against whom he had utterly rebelled. Everyone will meet their heavenly Master face to face.
  • 34:5 “you will die in peace” - there is still mercy for Zedekiah.
  • 34:10 “free their menservants and maidservants” - these were to be freed every sabbath year. But the rich had not obeyed the word of the Lord. When the city seemed lost, they suddenly repented and seemingly did the right thing. More cynically, their servants couldn’t work during siege, and releasing them meant they didn’t have to feed them.
  • 34:11 “but later they changed their minds” - when the Chaldeans seemed to retreat, they were “backsliders”.
  • 34:15 “you repented and did what pleased Me” - very good, regardless of possible selfish motives.
  • 34:16 “now you have changed your minds and profaned My Name” - breaking a vow is a grave sin. Even a foolish vow must be repented of, not ignored.
  • 34:17 “freedom to fall by sword, by plague, and by famine” - God is not mocked.
  • 34:18 “I will treat like the calf they cut in two” - cutting a covenant involved literally cutting a calf in two, implying that this is what will happen to a covenant breaker. God promises this will happen to these covenant breakers.
  • 34:22 “I will give the command and bring them back to this city” - Nebuchadnezzar was truly God’s servant, without knowing it.