Bible Study Guide/ Jeremiah 21, (24-BSG-21K)/ Discussion Questions

TO THINK ABOUT AND DISCUSS – [1] What reply did Pashur and the other messengers take back to Zedekiah? And what Lessons can we learn from the LORD’s response? (21:4–7)

[2] “Thus you shall say to Zedekiah” (21:3). I admire the boldness with which Jeremiah spoke – he spoke plainly and boldly to a king who had reigned ten years already. This reminds me of John the Baptist’s courage to confront Herod’s sin (Mt 14:1-5). Do we need such courage today? Jeremiah answered the king’s convoy “as a man of a heroic spirit, and the messenger of the King of kings.” (Trapp)

[3] “Behold, I will turn back the weapons of war that are in your hands” (21:4). Instead of Yahweh’s wondrous works, like the deliverance from Sennacherib, when the Lord turned him back by the way by which he came—(2 Kings 18, 19:35, 36; Isa. 37:6, 29)—in this incident, the Lord is essentially saying, “I am against you.” The wicked king, Zedekiah, hoped that God might send a miracle again, as He did in the days of Hezekiah. What was the discrepancy here? Hezekiah trusted in God, but Zedekiah disobeyed Him. What grave danger is there, when we deliberately disobey the LORD?

[4] “He shall not spare them,” (21:7)— How did this prophecy come to pass? (Hint: Jer. 52:10, 27) Read and discuss further.

FOR FURTHER STUDY –[5] A Warning to the House of David (see Jer. 21:11–12). “These verses were addressed to the monarchy to remind the kings of their responsibilities under the law. They were to administer justice “every morning.” Bright says it may refer to the administration of justice at the city gate by the king in the morning hours (cf. 2 Sam 15:2–4). Rulers were expected to deliver the oppressed and exploited (cf. Jer. 4:14). If they were negligent in those duties, God’s wrath would burst out like a fire that could not be extinguished.” [F. B. Huey, Jeremiah, Lamentations, The New American Commentary, (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1993), 16:201].

FOR SELF-EXAMINATION –[6] “Now you shall say to this people, ‘Thus says the Lord: “Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death.” (Jeremiah 21:8, NKJV)

NOTE — The way of life, that is the way to save their lives; whoever submitted to the Chaldeans was saved; but all who resisted were slain or carried into captivity, (Jer. 21:9). Likewise, God has given us the two ways, two options, two choices: eternal life/ death; blessings/ damnation; Christ/ Satan; broad way/ narrow way; heaven/ hell. Beloved, time is running out, probation is soon closing [see Rev. 16:17; 22:11]. Choose wisely before the it is too late! “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” (2 Corinthians 5:10, NKJV)

FOR LIFE TODAY –[7] “Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. He did evil in the sight of the Lord his God, and did not humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet, who spoke from the mouth of the Lord.” (2 Chronicles 36:11–12, NKJV). For the parallel account see 2 Kings 24:18 -25:21.

When we review the history of Zedekiah, we can conclude that he was evil. He disobeyed the LORD. In this chapter, there is no evidence of his confession, or sincerity in his enquiry for help: and the LORD responded swiftly. His answer was most alarming and awful! He pronounced judgment on Zedekia as well as Judah. It’s amazing how men draw nigh to God with their mouth, honour Him with their lips, but their hearts are far from Him. I there a lesson for us here?

FOR GOING DEEPER –[8] Read Jeremiah 22 and 23 in the light of the question: “Is God longsuffering with His people?” Does He sometimes turn His back on His people? What further illustration can you give from the Scriptures? Discuss.

PERSONAL IMPLICATIONS – [9] Reader! let you and I learn from the perusal of this Chapter, how needful it must be in times of trouble to have first learnt, and to have known the Lord in times of safety. What a sad state was Zedekiah and his army in when the King of Babylon’s army made war against them. But what a more awful and tremendous state is that man in, when death draweth near, and the Lord is departed from him! Oh! Reader! think, and let the thought never be parted with, until grace hath followed it up to the means of safety in Christ! how truly overwhelmed with sorrow must every man be in by nature, whose conscience then condemns, and there is no whisper of Jesus to speak peace? There is no discharge in that war!

Lamb of God! oh by every endearing name let me adjure thee to be thyself the safety to all thy redeemed, in thy blood and righteousness! Lord! when a more formidable foe, than even the Chaldean army, comes up upon this people, and there is no way in man to escape; do thou take up our person and our cause, and deliver for thy name’s sake, according to the multitude of thy tender mercies! Amen.” [Robert Hawker, Poor Man’s Old Testament Commentary: Proverbs–Lamentations, (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2013), 5:602–603].