Tyndale Open Study NotesJeremiah 21

This section begins with the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem in 588 BC (see Jeremiah 52:1–23; 2 Kings 24:18–25:21; 2 Chronicles 36:11–21). The Lord spoke to Judah through his messenger Jeremiah.

From this point in the book of Jeremiah, you will find details about the last kings of Judah, especially Jehoiakim and Zedekiah. The stories are mostly in prose and not always in order.

• King Zedekiah ruled from 597 to 586 BC.

• The Pashhur mentioned here is different from the one in Jeremiah 20:1–6 because they had different fathers. He and Zephaniah held full authority from the king. Yet, when they met the prophet, they asked Jeremiah for the Lord's help. They clearly saw Jeremiah as a man of great authority. Zedekiah acknowledged Jeremiah's prophetic authority, but he lacked the courage or moral integrity to follow Jeremiah's guidance in the Lord's name.

• Nebuchadnezzar ...is waging war against us: This likely happened around the start of the siege of Jerusalem in 588 BC (2 Kings 25:1).

• Zedekiah did not pray to the Lord like his ancestor Hezekiah did (2 Kings 19:14–20, 29–37; 2 Chronicles 32:20–22; Isaiah 37:1–7, 14–20). However, the king expected Jeremiah to perform a miracle to turn away the Lord's anger.

The Lord gave King Zedekiah's messengers a legal decision (see study note on Jeremiah 2:2). Resisting the Babylonians would be pointless because the Lord opposed Jerusalem.

The Lord decided to destroy Jerusalem, but people could choose life, likely as slaves in Babylon, or death by Babylonian swords (see Deuteronomy 20:10–13).

The Lord told the royal family of Judah to treat people fairly or face His anger.

Instead of performing a miracle for David's dynasty, God planned to hold them accountable for their sins.

• The people in Jerusalem trusted completely in the city's strong fortress, believing it was unbeatable (see 2 Kings 18:35–37; 2 Chronicles 32:20–23; Isaiah 37:36–38). The Lord had protected the city before, but now the Lord opposed it.

• I will kindle a fire in your forest: See Isaiah 6:13.