Jeremiah 21

V 1–7: RESPONSE TO REQUEST How tempting could be the request from King Zedekiah, through Pashhur and Zephaniah, to Jeremiah! He is asked to enquire of the Lord if God will give His people wonderful deliverance against Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. Jeremiah’s response is to tell them immediately that God Himself will fight against them. They will be besieged and overcome. Amidst great slaughter, captivity will take place. Zedekiah is told that he and his sinful people staying in Jerusalem will be killed and shown no mercy. Despite Jeremiah’s inner fears, he remains faithful to the commission God gives him. This is a lesson for us all. V 8–10: PEOPLE TO PART Jeremiah adds that the people should go with the Chaldeans into captivity, otherwise they will perish. Jerusalem will be burned with fire by the king of Babylon. This is not what Zedekiah wants to hear! V 11–14: JUDGEMENT TO JUDAH Jeremiah adds that the people of Judah must listen to God’s word. He tells them to regulate their life justly in such a way that God will withhold His fury which will come on them because of their evil doings. Jeremiah tells them again that God says He is against them and will punish them, as a forest fire devours things around it.