1 In the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, came Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon and all his army against Jerusalem, and they besieged it.
2 And in the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, the ninth day of the month, the city was broken up.
3 And all the princes of the king of Babylon came in, and sat in the middle gate, even Nergalsharezer, Samgarnebo, Sarsechim, Rabsaris, Nergalsharezer, Rabmag, with all the residue of the princes of the king of Babylon.
4 And it came to pass, that when Zedekiah the king of Judah saw them, and all the men of war, then they fled, and went forth out of the city by night, by the way of the king's garden, by the gate betwixt the two walls: and he went out the way of the plain.
5 But the Chaldeans' army pursued after them, and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho: and when they had taken him, they brought him up to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to Riblah in the land of Hamath, where he gave judgment upon him.
6 Then the king of Babylon slew the sons of Zedekiah in Riblah before his eyes: also the king of Babylon slew all the nobles of Judah.
7 Moreover he put out Zedekiah's eyes, and bound him with chains, to carry him to Babylon.
8 And the Chaldeans burned the king's house, and the houses of the people, with fire, and brake down the walls of Jerusalem.
9 Then Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away captive into Babylon the remnant of the people that remained in the city, and those that fell away, that fell to him, with the rest of the people that remained.
10 But Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard left of the poor of the people, which had nothing, in the land of Judah, and gave them vineyards and fields at the same time.
11 Now Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon gave charge concerning Jeremiah to Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard, saying,
12 Take him, and look well to him, and do him no harm; but do unto him even as he shall say unto thee.
13 So Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard sent, and Nebushasban, Rabsaris, and Nergalsharezer, Rabmag, and all the king of Babylon's princes;
14 Even they sent, and took Jeremiah out of the court of the prison, and committed him unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, that he should carry him home: so he dwelt among the people.
15 Now the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah, while he was shut up in the court of the prison, saying,
16 Go and speak to Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring my words upon this city for evil, and not for good; and they shall be accomplished in that day before thee.
17 But I will deliver thee in that day, saith the LORD: and thou shalt not be given into the hand of the men of whom thou art afraid.
18 For I will surely deliver thee, and thou shalt not fall by the sword, but thy life shall be for a prey unto thee: because thou hast put thy trust in me, saith the LORD.
Chapter 39 of the book of Jeremiah in the King James Version (KJV) of the Holy Bible is a pivotal and dramatic chapter in the life and prophetic ministry of Jeremiah. It tells the story of the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians and the subsequent capture and exile of King Zedekiah. This chapter is a critical juncture in the Biblical narrative, marking the end of the kingdom of Judah and the beginning of the Babylonian exile.
The chapter begins with the siege of Jerusalem by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, a siege that lasts for more than a year. Despite the resistance of the people of Judah, the Babylonians finally break through the city walls, marking the end of the kingdom of Judah. The defeat and capture of King Zedekiah, who attempts to escape but is caught and brought before Nebuchadnezzar, is particularly significant. His sons are killed before his eyes, and he himself is blinded and bound in chains, marking a tragic end to his reign.
The fall of Jerusalem and the capture of King Zedekiah are the central events of Jeremiah 39. These events fulfill the prophecies that Jeremiah had been proclaiming throughout his ministry. Jeremiah had warned the people of Judah about the impending destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of its people if they did not repent of their sins and turn back to God. However, his warnings were not heeded, and his prophecies came to pass.
The capture of Zedekiah is particularly significant because it marks the end of the Davidic line of kings in Judah. The Davidic line was supposed to last forever according to God's promise to David in 2 Samuel 7. However, due to the disobedience of the kings and the people of Judah, this promise was seemingly broken. Zedekiah's fate – his sons being killed before his eyes, him being blinded, and then being taken in chains to Babylon – was a tragic end to the Davidic line of kings.
Jeremiah plays a critical role in this chapter. Despite the persecution and rejection he faced, Jeremiah remained faithful to God and continued to proclaim His word. Even in the midst of the siege, Jeremiah was protected by God. When the Babylonians took the city, Nebuchadnezzar ordered that Jeremiah be found and taken care of. This was due to Jeremiah's prophecies about the fall of Jerusalem and the rise of Babylon, which Nebuchadnezzar saw as favorable to him.
Jeremiah's protection and survival during the fall of Jerusalem highlight the theme of God's faithfulness to those who remain faithful to Him. Despite the dire circumstances, God remained with Jeremiah, protecting him and providing for him. This is a testament to the fact that even in the midst of judgment and destruction, God's mercy and grace are still present.
The Babylonian exile, which begins with the fall of Jerusalem, is a critical event in the history of the Jewish people. The exile was a time of great suffering and hardship for the people of Judah. However, it was also a time of spiritual awakening and renewal. It was during the exile that the people of Judah began to understand the consequences of their disobedience and idolatry. They began to turn back to God and seek His forgiveness.
The exile also served as a time of purification for the people of Judah. God used the exile to purge His people of their sins and to prepare them for their eventual return to the Promised Land. This theme of purification through suffering and hardship is a recurrent theme in the Bible, and it is particularly evident in the book of Jeremiah.
Despite the bleak circumstances of Jeremiah 39, there is a message of hope in this chapter. This hope is embodied in the person of Ebed-Melech, an Ethiopian eunuch who had shown kindness to Jeremiah. Ebed-Melech is promised by God that he will be spared from the destruction that is to come because he had trusted in God. This promise serves as a reminder that even in the midst of judgment and destruction, God's mercy and grace are still available to those who trust in Him.
The message of hope is further reinforced by the promise of the eventual return from exile. Although the people of Judah were taken into exile, God promised that He would bring them back to their land. This promise was fulfilled when the Persians conquered Babylon and allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem.
In conclusion, Jeremiah 39 is a chapter of judgment and destruction, but it is also a chapter of hope and redemption. It serves as a reminder of the consequences of disobedience and idolatry, but it also offers a message of hope for those who trust in God. It is a testament to God's faithfulness to His promises, even in the face of apparent defeat and despair. Despite the hardships and trials that we may face, we can take comfort in the knowledge that God is always with us, guiding us and protecting us.
Share this page