Read Jeremiah 37

Highlights:

Jeremiah imprisoned in dungeon; his counsel rejected; Jerusalem destroyed; Jeremiah set free.

But if thou wilt not go forth to the king of Babylon's princes, then shall this city be given into the hand of the Chaldeans, and they shall burn it with fire, and thou shalt not escape out of their hand (Jer. 38:18).

Zedekiah, son of godly Josiah, was the last king ever to rule in Jerusalem. At the beginning of his reign, he gave some signs of obeying God's Word and following Jeremiah's advice, but this all ended after Zedekiah made a league with Egypt.

This league infuriated Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon (the Chaldeans); he conquered Judah and attacked Jerusalem. The strongly fortified city of Jerusalem held out for nearly a year and a half, during which time the people suffered the horrors of famine and pestilence.

Zedekiah, seeing that nothing was left, attempted to escape. But he was captured near Jericho and forced to watch as his family was murdered. His eyes were then put out, and he was deported to Babylon in chains. This fulfilled the horrifying prophecies which he was told would result from his rejection of the Lord (II Kin. 25:7; Jer. 32:4; 39:7; Ezek. 12:13).

The prophecies of God will always be fulfilled just as God laid them on the hearts of His people to speak them. They sometimes are doubted because they don't happen exactly as we suppose them to happen. They sometimes take a very long time to be made manifest. They do not work on our time table. Keep in mind, they are not your prophecies; they are spoken as the inspired Word of God. As you read the Bible, don't doubt the prophecies of the future just because it is not happening as you envisioned it. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost (II Pet. 1:21).

God will eventually give persistently disobedient men and women over to their delusions (Rom. 1:20-32). We will not be allowed to continue in disobedience forever. God gives us a season of mercy to come to Him in repentance. God's desire is that sinners would turn to Him. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (II Pet. 3:9). Many choose not to accept this gift.

Them that perish; because they received not the love of the Truth, that they might be saved (II Thess. 2:10).

Thought for Today:

The consequences of sin are always more than we expected.

Christ Portrayed:

By Jeremiah, who stood as a faithful witness to the revealed will of God (Jer. 38:2-9). Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness (testimony) against Jesus, to put Him to death (Matt. 26:59).

Word Studies:

37:16 cabins, cells; 38:4 weakeneth the hands of, discourages; 38:12 cast clouts, worn-out clothes; 38:19 mock, abuse; 39:18 for a prey, as a prize; 40:4 forbear, do what you prefer.

Prayer Needs:

Pray for Government Official: Gov. Nathan Deal (GA) • Country: Sierra Leone (5 million) in western Africa • Major language: English • Increasing restrictions on Christian work in some areas • 50% belief in river spirits, medicine men, and witchcraft; 39% Muslim; 7% Protestant; 2% Roman Catholic • Prayer Suggestion: Pray for our nation, that it would truly be a Christian nation (Ps. 67:1-7).

Optional Reading: 3 John 1

Memory Verse for the Week: Psalms 18:2