I have two daughters, ages five and two. My two-year-old loves to eat and doesn’t understand boundaries, and my five-year-old likes to be busy, which means she leaves her food lying around in her wake. I’ll let you guess what happens more often than not. And despite my repeated warnings to my eldest—that if she leaves her uneaten food lying around, her sister will likely find and consume it—she continues to do the same thing, over and over again. Needless to say, tears ensue. I realize it’s probably not great parenting to say, “I told you so!” But really, what else is there to say? It’s a cause-and-effect problem, a black-and-white (and no gray) situation.
When Jeremiah speaks to Zedekiah in today’s passage, there’s a similar sentiment behind the message, one in which a half-hearted response just won’t do. There’s really no gray area to wonder, Well, maybe that’s not really what Jeremiah meant, or Maybe the consequences won’t really be as bad as he says they will. But what did Jeremiah actually say? Surrender to the Chaldeans, and you will live. Don’t surrender, and you will die (Jeremiah 38:2,18,23). Over and over again, Jeremiah relays this message, then gets thrown down a well for saying it, only to then say it again.
I find myself wishing that God always spoke this clearly. I couldn’t possibly count up all the seasons in my life when I have prayed desperately for clarity, for a sign in the sky, for a prophet to appear and speak with such thorough conviction. But even if God were to act in this way, would I actually believe Him? Would I, like King Zedekiah, come up with a list of reasons why I might possibly do the thing I was so clearly instructed not to do?
Zedekiah listened to the officials who said Jeremiah must be wrong, allowing them to throw him down the cistern. Later, Zedekiah was afraid of how the Judeans would treat him if he listened to Jeremiah and surrendered, and so he told Jeremiah to not tell anyone about the conversation. You can probably guess the outcome. The Lord spoke with conviction, but the king did not listen.
While I wish I were more like Jeremiah, the truth is, I probably live my life a lot more like Zedekiah. I’m able to read God’s Word and then turn around and act in the complete opposite of its instructions. My conversation is not always gracious nor is it seasoned with salt (Colossians 4:6). I love money (Matthew 6:24) and put my hope in all sorts of things other than God (1Peter 1:13). I have very little self-control (Proverbs 25:28), and my heart is often bitter and angry (Ephesians 4:31).
The reality is that I want God to be clear in His instruction, but only when it benefits me, when His Word aligns with my self-interests and goals. When He is clear and it stings a little, or when He asks me to sacrifice or change for my good and His glory, I pretend that’s not really what He’s saying. But even though I see myself in the willful, self-justifying defiance of Zedekiah, I can rest assured knowing that his fate is not mine, because of the person and work of Jesus Christ. When I look to Jesus, there is no cost too great to follow Him.
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76 thoughts on "Zedekiah’s Final Meeting with Jeremiah"
Which king do I listen to: king ME, who wrote this or the King who wrote “I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me” The KING of kings and LORD of lords was speaking through Jeremiah because obedience speaks volumes. Simply doing God’s will is the way, the truth and the (key to) life. Disobedient kings die holding on to their own little gods. Praise God
I just wanted to say, that even if what Jeremiah said sounded crazy to them at that time, Jeremiah was already proven to be a true prophet to the people. If you read in between the lines, even at their final encounter Zedekiah asking Jeremiah to speak with him alone and ordering him not to tell anyone what they spoke about is evidence enough that he believed what he was saying. But Zedekiah chose to save face instead of obeying the word of the Lord and suffered the consequences.
I have a question, that keeps coming to my mind and especially after reading today’s verses. What Jeremiah was telling them would have seemed insane, like telling us to give up to the Nazis in ww2. Their trust had to be as much in Jeremiah as in God. How did they know he wasn’t deranged and telling them a complete lie? That’s what is hardest for me most of the time. Discerning what God is saying, is it God or is it just something my head is saying…thankfully we can dig into the word, but those people didn’t have the word. If that had been you back then, how would you made the decision to believe Jeremiah? Anyone?
My take away is not to judge Gods trustworthiness on what is happening to us at any given moment but to trust in the never changing sovereign love he has shown us in who he is, what he has done and what his word says. Jeremiah must have wondered why all these thing were happening to him but he remained faithful and trusted God. In these times it would be so easy to say where is God, why is all this happening, even to faithful believers. But there is a bigger picture and of course faithful believers will suffer in this world, that is not a testament of Gods trustworthiness! I am trying to look carefully and see God working in the midst of this worldwide disaster and submit to trusting him no matter what. It’s so weird to be reading of the upcoming disaster for the Israelites as we brace our selves for a possible huge peak in the upcoming weeks of sickness and death.
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but when we look to Christ, no cost is too great to follow Him. Wow. Indeed, amen. May our eyes be forever fixed on Jesus Christ our Savior, the author and perfector of our faith.
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Tina, I loved your comment to today’s reading. You did not ‘speak’ too long…nor did you need to say more. “But God!” And “it was about God!” He is such a wonderful Savior. And like the song says, “the longer I serve Him the sweeter He grows.” I have been His child for 48 years now and I can attest to those words with a HUGE Amen!!
I am reminded that God’s Hans was on Jeremiah. Things were bad for Jeremiah. In fact, at moments I’m pretty sure they couldn’t have been worse. But he continued to be obedient and he continued to see the Lord act on his behalf.
“The reality is that I want God to be clear in His instruction, but only when it benefits me, when His Word aligns with my self-interests and goals”
Wow. How many of us are feeling that one sting?
Wow. God has blown me away today. I am working through the Bible study Experiencing God… today was about how God told the Israelites “if you follow me, I will subdue your enemies” and instead they decided to do it their way. Later on, a question is asked “what do you think God is doing for your country?” These instances are similar. If only we trust in God and his Word over all the NOISE of this world, how much better off we would be. To walk in the garden with him is way better than whatever temporary option we have here, hey? May we all be a little more attuned to his plan for this world and ourselves, especially in our current time-when we aren’t sure what he is wanting for us, rather than intense peace and rest in Him. My favorite was this: It is better to understand what God wants you do, rather than telling God what you want to do for him. If the Israelites has listened, their future would’ve been drastically different. If Zedekiah had listened to Jeremiah, who had spoken God’s words, how life would’ve been different. Let’s understand Him, and listen quietly to his response.
CAMILLE ENGLISH DAVIS TRUTH ! I too have CHOSEN to be deceived such as you have.
Jeremiah 17:9 New International Version (NIV)
9 The heart is deceitful above all things
and beyond cure.
Who can understand it?
I am sooooo greatful for God’s mercy which is new every morning and His amazing grace which He bestows on me. In spite of me. Blessed be the Name of the Lord!
“Don’t deceive yourselves. . .” I reflect on the many times I have CHOSEN to be deceived. Times when I chose to believe half truths and whole lies because the truth was too inconvenient. I stubbornly held tightly to my truth and rejected God’s truth… Very grateful for this opportunity to see myself, repent, and celebrate God’s great mercy! Thank you my Father…
Thank you to all who have posted. I have been so blessed by all of you. I am reminded that my struggle is shared and we can cover each other in prayer.
My, how our God’s co-ordinates all he is trying to teach us. This morning I read my devotional, Gentle Spirit, which today was written by Twila Paris. She quoted Psalms 40:1-3, saying her song Running to the Rescue was based on it. Then I read the passages in Jeremiah and Psalms today. There is was again. I have prayed this Psalm many times before. I looked up the lyrics to the song. May they bless you:
“Running To The Rescue”
Running to the rescue
He will come to save you
Running to the rescue
He will come to save you
Listening every time you cry
He delights in you
Scattering evil left and right
Just to get you through
Running to the rescue
He will come to save you
Righteous anger flaming
Little child reclaiming
He is a Father to his own
Ever watching you
Said, “You will never be alone”
Every word is true
Call on the Lord who is worthy of praise
You will be saved from the enemy
He is your Shield and Salvation always
You will be saved from the enemy
Running to the rescue
He will come to save you
Righteous anger burning
Victory returning
Can you see Him coming?
See your Father running
Running to the rescue
He will come to save you
Running to the rescue
I pray that I would be able to follow the instruction of the Lord, even when it’s not what I want to hear. I’m so thankful that when I do stray and disobey, God forgives me and brings me back to himself.
Tricia Cavanaugh praying for you and right there with you being a nurse.
Tina, Churchmouse, Angie love what you said.
Amen NanaK, Claudia, Loana Colpitts, Jenna and Bridgette Alvarez
I am praying for you Jessica Brink.
Thank you Dorothy. May we continue to lift each other up in prayer.
Like in the scriptures today, I struggle with making the right decisions because I worry about what others will think or what they will do to me. I don’t like being made fun of or pain in anyway. But God’s word says, “ And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matthew 10:28. I would love to say that when troubles come my first and only reaction is to seek God but it’s not. There’s still a period of panic and confusion. So my prayer is for immediate obedience. In praying this I know my faith will be tested in order to get there.
This comment is so similar to what I am struggling with. I am dealing with so much confusion, panic, and feelings that I need to do something to control things around me. I pray that I am able to more quickly seek God and ask for help…it has been taking me way too long to get there!
Today’s passages reminded me that obedience is rarely (if ever) glamorous. Jeremiah is beaten, imprisoned, and thrown into a cistern. Yet God calls us to daily make small decisions over and over again to follow him. I have to daily make the decision to die to myself. Lord, help me to be obedient in the little things today: in how I speak to my family members, in serving others and not just myself, and in where I give my time and attention. Holy Spirit, help me to do these things unto the Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen
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Wow Melanie! Your message truly hit home for me as I can assure you that you are not alone! I, too, have prayed endlessly for clarity and God’s voice to direct me exactly what to do…but even if he did I probably wouldn’t follow it and maybe do the exact opposite. Our free will may be the most sinful thing because often we choose the wrong thing whether it be something that seems insignificant or a major dishonoring decision. I pray that I choose God-honoring actions, words, thoughts and that I truly want to follow God’s word because it is good and just to do so.
WOW so good … I know I need to do better, be better. With your transparency and authenticity I don’t feel alone today … thank you !
Like Paul said “I will press on towards the prize… “
King Zedekiah’s response to his officials reminds about Jeremiah of Pilate’s response to the pharisees about Jesus when the asked Pilate to crucify Jesus. Then when I read, “But even though I see myself in the willful, self-justifying defiance of Zedekiah, I can rest assured knowing that his fate is not mine, because of the person and work of Jesus Christ. When I look to Jesus, there is no cost too great to follow Him.” Melanie Rainer made me realize how right I was. I, also, recognized how true these last two sentences of Melanie’s are. I don’t know about the rest of you my SRT sisters but I can see some truth about myself in what she wrote. Have a blessed day.
So my SRT sisters satan was trying to get to me, first I was having trouble with my internet, then I had to change my usual browser but I got through and didn’t let him get the best of me.
Lord thank for sending Your Son to die for us. I praise You and look to You for guidance in these troubled times. Amen
Melanie, thank you for your honesty and being real with us! I think if we are honest, we are all like Zedekiah. I will be forever thankful for the mercy and grace provided to us by Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross.
Wow. Today’s reading really hit home for me. The past few months I’ve been struggling to be with God. Refusing to make him a priority. This quarantine time I made a commitment to the Lord and myself that I would find Him again. I began with simply reading my Bible and SRT and praying daily and today His word just jumped out at me. It left me hungry for more. I have been Zedekiah too. hearing God but not wanting to listen. I’ve just wanted to keep “ doing my thing”. But today I heard him and I felt him through this text, and I surrendered ❤️
That’s amazing!! I pray you would continue to walk in the Lord!❤️ thank you for sharing!
Surrender is amazing!
“When I look to Jesus there is no cost to great to follow Him” that is my anthem today, nothing is worth more to me than Jesus
Melani has a lot of good points. A lot of times in my life when I know there’s been many signs not to do something I do it anyways. What is to say I would do different than the king? King Zedekiah’s fear to be capture by the Judeans is greater than his faith to God. What fear are we being kept back from that we cant see God’s faithfulness and love for us? My God is greater than my fears!!! I hope we can always see that God will be with us always and not let fear control us.
Praying for all of my SRT sisters today whatever your situations may be. God called us here for “such a time as this”. I read each of these posts and know that these are challenging times. Thanks be to God that we are daughters of the King.
Wow this really hit me hard today. I’m so angry and sad at life right now. I know I have good things and God is in control but he feels very far away and silent. Praying that my heart will be softened and I’ll be able to trust in Him as this current season unfolds.
Praying for you Jessica!!
Praying for you Jessica.
Thank you, Rebecca, I’ll check it out! ❤️
Psalm 40:1–3 (CSB):
1 I waited patiently for the LORD,
and He turned to me and heard my cry for help.
2 He brought me up from a desolate pit,
out of the muddy clay, and set my feet on a rock,
making my steps secure. 3 He put a new song in my mouth,a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and they will trust in the LORD.
How many times has the LORD heard my cry and brought me out of the pit? Countless!!! How many more times is He willing to do this for me? COUNTLESS!!! And when (IF) I open my mouth to sing His praises…MANY will see and fear, and they will trust in the LORD!
WOW—I needed this reminder today. Even during this time of “social distancing,” I can still sing of HIS praises!
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
to be happy in JESUS,
but to trust and obey…
Yes yes yes, Nanak! Love that hymn and your encouragement ❤️
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Thank you for sharing that testimony, Tina! Priceless.
Truth is in the Word of God. I too am a Paul, not doing what I should do, and then doing what I know I shouldn’t do. If I stay in the Word I am convicted and it gets easier to follow it.
Yes to saying “yes” to God! How many times have I turned a deaf ear to Him when obeying would be as simple as saying a kind word or executing a kind gesture toward my 92 year old fil who suffers from dementia? God forgive me and turn this heart of stone into a heart of flesh! Thank you, ladies, for sharing your lives on this community page. Have a blessed and obedience filled day!
See, I agree with everything the woman says in her reflection except the last part.
Yes Jesus saves us from eternal damnation, but has she not read Hebrews 12, the entire chapter?!?
When I read Hebrews 12, I see that God does discipline us because He loves us. That we are chastised, even to the point of being wounded, for our own benefit. Hebrews 12 is a bitter reality, not all that we suffer is because of someone else, sometimes we suffer because of our own doing.
Do we accept suffering when it comes our way, trials and tribulation?
Those temper our faith, test us, mold us, and refine us.
Do you run from suffering or count it all joy?
Spanish Eyes
The king chose to hide the truth and God chose to hide the king because of truth.
Jeremiah spoke God’s message, period.
King Zedekiah didn’t like it. It was not what he wanted to hear. He kept asking for it to be repeated, but it didn’t change. Jeremiah did not placate the king with a gentler message, because the words were not his own, they were God’s.
King Jehoiakim earlier burned the Word of the Lord when he didn’t like it. Trying to destroy God’s Word didn’t change it either.
“For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.”
…all have sinned (you and I, a lost world)
A lost world hungry for answers.
A lost world hungry for hope.
God’s message of salvation is the answer.
God’s message of salvation is hope.
When God puts His message on our lips, we need to speak His message, period.
Nothing more, nothing less.
It may not be accepted. It may be met with ridicule.
We may suffer, but what if…
one seed is planted, and that seed sprouts, and a single person is brought into the kingdom?
That one seed: a son, a daughter, a grandchild, a neighbor. The seed matters, always, to God.
Throughout scripture, (Old and New Testament) we are told to Love the Lord our God with all our hearts, our souls, our mind, and our strength.
2 John 1:6 reminds us, “And this is love; that we walk in obedience to His commands. As you have heard from the beginning, His command is that you walk in love.”
Loving God is a walk of obedience.
Simple obedience. Obedient words, obedient actions, pouring out of a heart, soul, and mind redeemed.
Purify our hearts Oh God.
While we isolate ourselves, do not let us isolate the message of the gospel!
Instead may it spread, first through the good soil of a pure heart, grounded in prayer, rained upon in worship, sprouting forth in glorious praise, blossoming in sinners set free.
Me.
You.
Them.
A garden of fragrance to honor our King.
Beautiful
Beautifully said. Agreed ❤️
Thank you, Tina, for sharing.
Praying for you all. Pray for me too! Anxiety knocks at my door and I just need to run back to God!
More love from Michigan, Tina. Lovely story. You have been missed!
Thank you for sharing, Tina. May I always be willing to obey, even reluctantly. ❤️
Thank you for this reminder!
Wow. What a time we live in. So many things have changed over the course of a couple of weeks. We are told to hunker down at home, unless essential work personnel or needing food. Well, I’m a nurse, so staying home really isn’t an option.
Please pray with me that I would speak truth and continue to seek God in this situation. I’m distraught over not being able to see my grandboys, who usually spend every weekend. There are many like me. Lord, keep us strong and holding on to your promises, all the while sharing them with others during this time.
Peace to you ladies, wherever you are, whatever situation. Trust in Jesus. After all, He is our great deliverer. Praise His Name!
Prayers for you Tricia and all of our healthcare workers!
Praying for you & all those on the front line of battle against this deadly virus. We have several family members in that category, & one daughter who has symptoms & is awaiting test results. Praying that if she tests positive it is a mild case, & that her isolation from family members has protected all of us (including her husband & 2 daughters).
Praying for you Tricia and the many others on the front lines. Peace and health.
Praying for you and all our healthcare workers! ❤️
Praying for you Tricia! Thank you for your service and the sacrifices you make!
Praying for you Tricia. Thank you for your selflessness.
Praying for you Tricia! My husband and I are both PAs and he goes back to work tomorrow after the ‘staycation’ we had at home these past 2 weeks as we canceled our 10 year anniversary plans with the pandemic going on. Thank you for serving ❤️
Tricia we are standing with you and all healthcare workers everywhere. I’m believing as we the church stand together that as you all lay your hands to help we will begin to see healing arise like never before that our God will get the glory and hearts will be turned to the one only true God by way to the father Jesus,!!
Tricia I am praying with you.
Oh Tina how I relate to your tale this morning! It’s the willingness to obey, the taking of that first step in the direction He would have you go that is so important to Him. It’s saying “Yes, Lord” (even if through gritted teeth!) though He may change the direction at the very utterance of the Yes. We are people of the Book, followers of the Word, which means we are to be His Yes men (and Yes women). Even and especially when we would rather not.
I love that testimony, Tina. May we always be willing to obey.
Morning, sisters!
A couple of years ago now, my grandson and I were walking the dog, in our village.. Picture it.. A beautiful sunny day grandma and beloved grandson, in a happy place, pure joy as we tarried along, joking, giggling and just taking in the goodness of the day and our time together..
When, as we turned the corner, by the pub, we were met by a yapping dog, not on a lead,that wouldn’t leave our dog alone. I asked the people sitting around if the dog belonged to them, a few shakes of the head. The dog was beginning to irritate mine, so I shouted for the owner, whoever they were to come get their dog… nothing. My BIG dog at this point in her irritation had got out of her collar, and was about to pounce on the little dog, without thinking, or maybe there was a nudging, I try to grab my dog, and manage to get her back legs, with an instruction to STOP. Thank God that she obeyed.. but of course the result was that I was on the ground holding onto my dog, when I heard someone ask what is going on.. in some choice words I explain..to which they respond.. it’s a pub dog.. well I dont think I have ever seen that shade of red before! A few more colourful words later I gather my dog, my open mouthed grandson, and head towards home..
When we were clear of the pub, I knelt down to apologise to my grandson saying that I was not normally like that but I was cross.
Heres the thing..
Over the next few days, I had the inclination to go and apologise to the people at the pub..
I hope you are still picturing, because this stubborn, proud, ‘I have done nothing wrong’, still angry woman, refused! I absolutely without a doubt, knew it was God asking me to go and apologise, but I dug my heels in..
Five days later, with continued nudging, and eventual conviction of sort, I walk up the road to apologise, even then as I walked, I am saying to God,’ You better come with me’ ‘I dont see why I have to do this’ GRRRRRRRing as I walked..
But God…
Oh But God..
I smile as I recall, He marched right alongside me, and when i got to the pub, i asked for the landlords, to be told, they were on holiday..
Can I tell you… in that instance literally, I had a peace that I cannot explain, but I knew God had a hand in it! As I walked home practically skipping, As clear as day, i heard God say.. ‘That’s all I wanted you to do.. just to obey..’ It wasn’t about the apology, it was about God. It was about God!
I have taken too much of your time..
Praying you all well. Sending love wrapped hugs and prayers to Stay safe and hold fast to the one who has the bigger picture and us in His hands..❤
Tina,
Thank you for your story. I always love reading them.
Stay safe there, across the pond. ❤️
Thanks Tina. Not too much time at all! Love your stories and your heart. Thanks for sharing. Lots of love from Michigan ❤️
Loved your story, & especially having to apologize to a grandchild for unseemly behavior. With 14 of my own, it’s happened once or twice (ha!), & is so very humbling.
That is beautiful. Thank you for sharing that and being so real and honest. ❤️
Thank you for sharing. It is about obedience.
Thanks for sharing your story! I’m going to be holding on to the words you ended with today—“hold fast to the one who has the bigger picture and us in his hands.” Amen!
Thank you for sharing your story, Tina! Always love hearing from you. Such good reminders and encouragement to obey. Love and hugs to you from Massachusetts ❤️
Tina, I truly thank you for sharing because this is a word to remember it’s all about God! Willing Obey and eat the good of the land Isaiah 1:19….Peace unto you all.
Wow. Just wow. Thank you for sharing ❤️
Thank you Tina for sharing this. God has been nudging me to apologize in two different situations. One I came to realize I was wrong and needed to apologize, and I did. The other I’m not sure I did anything wrong, but I did apologize for the decision I felt I had to make. It’s humbling to apologize but I sure do sleep better afterwards. Some day maybe I’ll not need to apologize because I’ll actually think before speaking.
Thank you Lord for one more day in our life.