Jeremiah 37

The Explanation

Jerusalem is in trouble. The army of Babylon, led by King Nebuchadnezzar, has surrounded the city. Inside the walls sits King Zedekiah. He was not really chosen by God, he was placed on the throne by the Babylonians themselves. And even though he is king, he does not listen to what God says through the prophet Jeremiah. His servants do not listen either. The whole country ignores God's voice.

Then something happens that seems like good news. The army of Egypt is coming to help Jerusalem. When the Babylonians hear this, they leave. Suddenly the city can breathe again. People probably think: we are saved!

King Zedekiah sends two men to Jeremiah with a strange request: "Pray for us to Yahweh our God." He does not really want to obey God, but he does want God's help. God then gives Jeremiah a hard message. The Egyptians will go back home. The Babylonians will return. And this time they will take the city and burn it. God even says: "Don't deceive yourselves." In other words, do not lie to yourselves that everything will be fine.

While the Babylonians are away for a short time, Jeremiah wants to leave the city. He is going to the land of Benjamin, his own home area, to arrange something with family property. But at the gate, a captain named Irijah grabs him. "You are running over to the enemy!" he shouts. Jeremiah says it is not true, but no one listens. He is beaten and thrown into a dungeon. He stays there for many days in a dark cell.

Then King Zedekiah sends for him secretly. In his own house, out of sight, he asks softly: "Is there any word from Yahweh?" Jeremiah answers honestly: "There is. You will be handed over to the king of Babylon." Even now, in prison, he does not soften the message.

Jeremiah then dares to ask something for himself. "What have I done wrong? Please do not send me back to that dungeon, or I will die there." The king listens a little. Jeremiah is moved to the court of the guard, a better place. Every day he receives a loaf of bread, until all the bread in the city is gone.

What Does This Mean?

This chapter shows two kinds of people. King Zedekiah wants God's help, but not God Himself. He asks for prayer, but does not obey. That is like wanting the medicine without listening to the doctor.

Jeremiah is the opposite. He tells the truth even when it hurts him. He is called a traitor while he is actually the most faithful person in the city. He is beaten and locked up for words that were not even his own, but God's.

The chapter also shows that scary things and easy things can both be misleading. When the Babylonians leave, everyone thinks the danger is gone. But God says: do not deceive yourselves. Sometimes the biggest lie is the one we want so badly to believe.

The Common Thread

Jeremiah reminds us of Someone who came much later. Jesus also spoke God's truth. He was also accused wrongly, arrested, beaten, and taken away. He was also asked questions by a scared leader (Pontius Pilate) who wanted to hear something else than what was true. And Jesus, like Jeremiah, kept telling the truth.

But there is a difference. Jeremiah asked to be spared from the dungeon. Jesus did not ask to be spared from the cross. He went all the way, so that people like Zedekiah, and like us, who do not always listen well, could still be rescued.

For You

It is not easy to tell the truth when everyone around you wants to hear something different. Maybe in class, or in a group of friends, or at home. Jeremiah shows that following God sometimes costs something, but that God stays close, even in a dungeon.

And here is a question for yourself: do you sometimes ask God for help without really wanting to listen to Him? That is what Zedekiah did. God would rather have your whole heart than only your emergency prayers.

Talk About It

Why do you think Zedekiah asked Jeremiah to pray, when he did not actually want to obey God?

Have you ever told the truth even though it was hard? What happened?

Praying Together

Lord God, thank You that You always speak the truth, even when it is hard to hear. Help us not to lie to ourselves. Give us courage like Jeremiah, and give us ears that really listen to You. Thank You for Jesus, who walked this road all the way for us. Amen.