Zedekiah’s Final Meeting with Jeremiah
Open Your Bible
Jeremiah 37:1-21, Jeremiah 38:1-28, 2 Kings 24:8-9, Psalm 40:1-3
BY Melanie Rainer
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.
75 thoughts on "Zedekiah’s Final Meeting with Jeremiah"
-
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.
Post Comments (75)