A Secret Word
In our flash back, we saw Jehoiakim react to the Word of God with utter
comtempt. Zedekiah is also rebellious, but fears the Lord to some extent.
He just fears his companions more.
‘They misled you and overcame you— those trusted friends of yours.
Your feet sank into the mire, and they deserted you.’
Jeremiah 38:22
- 37:2 “refused to obey” - like Jehoiakim, Zedekiah refused to obey.
- 37:3 “Please pray for us!” - Unlike Jehoiakim, Zedekiah had a
yearning for God.
- 37:5 “Egypt to the rescue” - so there is a break in the siege.
- 37:7 “Pharoah will go back to Egypt” - the Egyptians will abandon Judah.
- 37:8 “Chaldeans will return” - the reprieve will be short lived.
- 37:9 “do not deceive yourselves” - of course, the false prophets
predicted a permanent end to the siege.
- 37:12 “claim his portion” - Jeremiah bought some property (while in
prison), and is going to look at it during the break in the siege.
- 37:13 “you are deserting!” - well, he has relayed God’s message to
everyone in Jerusalem - surrender to Nebuchadnezzar my servant or die.
- 37:17 “asked him privately” - hoping that God might have a secret Word
that was easier than the public Word given for 20 years. Private
Word - same as the public Word. There is no new Word when you haven’t
obeyed what you already have.
- 37:19 “where are your prophets?” - according to the law, they should
have been stoned. They will all die anyway - except for the hot babes
and those who had already escaped to surrender.
- 37:20 “or I will die” - Jeremiah in return has a petition for the king, and
it is granted.