Jeremiah 39: The Fall of Jerusalem and God's Faithfulness
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.
And in the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, the ninth day of the month, the city was broken up.
And all the princes of the king of Babylon came in, and sat in the middle gate, even Nergal–sharezer, Samgar–nebo, Sarsechim, Rab–saris, Nergal–sharezer, Rab–mag, with all the residue of the princes of the king of Babylon.
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.
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.
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.
Moreover he put out Zedekiah’s eyes, and bound him with chains, to carry him to Babylon.
And the Chaldeans burned the king’s house, and the houses of the people, with fire, and brake down the walls of Jerusalem.
Then Nebuzar–adan 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.
But Nebuzar–adan 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.
Now Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon gave charge concerning Jeremiah to Nebuzar–adan the captain of the guard, saying,
Take him, and look well to him, and do him no harm; but do unto him even as he shall say unto thee.
So Nebuzar–adan the captain of the guard sent, and Nebushasban, Rab–saris, and Nergal–sharezer, Rab–mag, and all the king of Babylon’s princes;
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.
Now the word of the Lord came unto Jeremiah, while he was shut up in the court of the prison, saying,
Go and speak to Ebed–melech 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.
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.
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.
Jeremiah 39 marks a devastating turning point in Judah's history: the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonian forces in 587–586 BC. This chapter vividly portrays the consequences of Judah's disobedience and God's subsequent judgment, while also highlighting God's unwavering faithfulness to those who remained loyal to Him. This section of Jeremiah serves as a stark reminder of the importance of obedience and the enduring nature of God's promises.
The Babylonian Conquest (Jeremiah 39:1-10)
The siege of Jerusalem culminated in a brutal breach of its walls (Jeremiah 39:1-2). The Babylonian officials, establishing their authority, took positions at the Middle Gate (Jeremiah 39:3), signifying their control and preparing to judge those who had resisted their rule. King Zedekiah's attempt to escape proved futile; he was captured and brought before Nebuchadnezzar (Jeremiah 39:4-5).
The consequences for Zedekiah were horrific. He was forced to witness the execution of his own sons and Judah's nobles before being blinded and taken to Babylon in chains (Jeremiah 39:6-7). This brutal display underscores the severity of God's judgment and the complete collapse of Judah's monarchy. The city of Jerusalem was destroyed, and the temple, the heart of Judah's religious life, was burned to the ground (Jeremiah 39:8). The remaining population was exiled to Babylon, leaving behind only a small number of poor people to tend the land (Jeremiah 39:9-10). The southern kingdom had fallen.
God's Protection of Jeremiah and Ebed-Melech (Jeremiah 39:11-18)
Amidst the destruction and despair, God's hand of protection was evident in the lives of Jeremiah and Ebed-Melech. Nebuchadnezzar, recognizing Jeremiah's prophetic role and perhaps influenced by God's providential hand, ordered that he be treated with kindness (Jeremiah 39:11-12). Jeremiah was entrusted to Gedaliah, whom the Babylonians appointed as governor over the remaining people in Judah (Jeremiah 39:14; also see Jeremiah 40:5, 7).
Imagine the surreal experience for Jeremiah, returning to Gedaliah's home amidst the ruins of his nation. While everything around him crumbled, Jeremiah experienced God's personal care. This demonstrates that even in times of national crisis, God remembers and cares for those who are faithful to Him.
The Lord also remembered Ebed-Melech, the Ethiopian eunuch who had bravely intervened to save Jeremiah from a cistern where he was left to die (see Jeremiah 38:7-13). God promised to protect Ebed-Melech because he had trusted in Him (Jeremiah 39:15-18). This is a powerful reminder that acts of kindness and faithfulness, even seemingly small ones, do not go unnoticed by God. His promise to Ebed-Melech underscores His commitment to reward those who demonstrate courage and compassion, especially toward His servants.
Jeremiah 39 serves as a potent reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the reality of God's judgment. However, it also offers a message of hope. Even in the darkest of times, God's faithfulness endures. He protects those who trust in Him and rewards those who demonstrate kindness and courage. Though Jerusalem fell, God's plan for His people continued, paving the way for restoration and redemption. This chapter challenges us to examine our own lives, to remain faithful to God, and to trust in His promises, even when circumstances seem bleak.
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.
And in the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, the ninth day of the month, the city was broken up.
And all the princes of the king of Babylon came in, and sat in the middle gate, even Nergal–sharezer, Samgar–nebo, Sarsechim, Rab–saris, Nergal–sharezer, Rab–mag, with all the residue of the princes of the king of Babylon.
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.
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.
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.
Moreover he put out Zedekiah’s eyes, and bound him with chains, to carry him to Babylon.
And the Chaldeans burned the king’s house, and the houses of the people, with fire, and brake down the walls of Jerusalem.
Then Nebuzar–adan 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.
But Nebuzar–adan 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.
Now Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon gave charge concerning Jeremiah to Nebuzar–adan the captain of the guard, saying,
Take him, and look well to him, and do him no harm; but do unto him even as he shall say unto thee.
So Nebuzar–adan the captain of the guard sent, and Nebushasban, Rab–saris, and Nergal–sharezer, Rab–mag, and all the king of Babylon’s princes;
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.
Now the word of the Lord came unto Jeremiah, while he was shut up in the court of the prison, saying,
Go and speak to Ebed–melech 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.
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.
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.
Jeremiah 39 marks a devastating turning point in Judah's history: the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonian forces in 587–586 BC. This chapter vividly portrays the consequences of Judah's disobedience and God's subsequent judgment, while also highlighting God's unwavering faithfulness to those who remained loyal to Him. This section of Jeremiah serves as a stark reminder of the importance of obedience and the enduring nature of God's promises.
The Babylonian Conquest (Jeremiah 39:1-10)
The siege of Jerusalem culminated in a brutal breach of its walls (Jeremiah 39:1-2). The Babylonian officials, establishing their authority, took positions at the Middle Gate (Jeremiah 39:3), signifying their control and preparing to judge those who had resisted their rule. King Zedekiah's attempt to escape proved futile; he was captured and brought before Nebuchadnezzar (Jeremiah 39:4-5).
The consequences for Zedekiah were horrific. He was forced to witness the execution of his own sons and Judah's nobles before being blinded and taken to Babylon in chains (Jeremiah 39:6-7). This brutal display underscores the severity of God's judgment and the complete collapse of Judah's monarchy. The city of Jerusalem was destroyed, and the temple, the heart of Judah's religious life, was burned to the ground (Jeremiah 39:8). The remaining population was exiled to Babylon, leaving behind only a small number of poor people to tend the land (Jeremiah 39:9-10). The southern kingdom had fallen.
God's Protection of Jeremiah and Ebed-Melech (Jeremiah 39:11-18)
Amidst the destruction and despair, God's hand of protection was evident in the lives of Jeremiah and Ebed-Melech. Nebuchadnezzar, recognizing Jeremiah's prophetic role and perhaps influenced by God's providential hand, ordered that he be treated with kindness (Jeremiah 39:11-12). Jeremiah was entrusted to Gedaliah, whom the Babylonians appointed as governor over the remaining people in Judah (Jeremiah 39:14; also see Jeremiah 40:5, 7).
Imagine the surreal experience for Jeremiah, returning to Gedaliah's home amidst the ruins of his nation. While everything around him crumbled, Jeremiah experienced God's personal care. This demonstrates that even in times of national crisis, God remembers and cares for those who are faithful to Him.
The Lord also remembered Ebed-Melech, the Ethiopian eunuch who had bravely intervened to save Jeremiah from a cistern where he was left to die (see Jeremiah 38:7-13). God promised to protect Ebed-Melech because he had trusted in Him (Jeremiah 39:15-18). This is a powerful reminder that acts of kindness and faithfulness, even seemingly small ones, do not go unnoticed by God. His promise to Ebed-Melech underscores His commitment to reward those who demonstrate courage and compassion, especially toward His servants.
Jeremiah 39 serves as a potent reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the reality of God's judgment. However, it also offers a message of hope. Even in the darkest of times, God's faithfulness endures. He protects those who trust in Him and rewards those who demonstrate kindness and courage. Though Jerusalem fell, God's plan for His people continued, paving the way for restoration and redemption. This chapter challenges us to examine our own lives, to remain faithful to God, and to trust in His promises, even when circumstances seem bleak.