Tyndale Open Study NotesJeremiah 34

This section starts with the prediction of Jerusalem's fall and Zedekiah's capture (Jeremiah 34:1–7). The prediction comes true toward the end (Jeremiah 39:1–10). These messages emphasize that the old covenant was broken beyond repair. This was especially true for the kings descended from David, who should have been most dedicated to upholding it.

The Lord encouraged Zedekiah, even though he was a weak and timid leader. The message includes both judgment and a promise.

Regardless of King Zedekiah's actions, Jerusalem would fall. The Lord would not save the city.

Although the Babylonians would defeat Judah, the Lord promised to protect Zedekiah during the war. The king would die peacefully and receive honors from the siege survivors. However, see Jeremiah 39:5–7 for a description of Zedekiah being captured, tortured, and then taken to Babylon.

King Rehoboam transformed Lachish and Azekah into forts (2 Chronicles 11:5–10). These towns, on low hills southwest of Jerusalem, protected important roads from the coastal highway into Judah's heartland. Archaeologists found military messages on pottery pieces in Lachish's gateway. These messages reported the Babylonians' advance toward the town.

Zedekiah told the people to free their slaves. He wanted to gain favor with God by following the covenant rules about Hebrew slave ownership (Exodus 21:2–4). These rules had been ignored since the time of Moses. However, the order was useless because the people soon broke this new promise. They had also broken their agreement with Nebuchadnezzar (see Ezekiel 21:23–24) and their original covenant with the Lord. The Lord would punish them for their betrayal.

Here are examples of the faithless (those who break the covenant) (Jeremiah 34:8–22) and the faithful (those who keep the covenant) (35:1–19).

The slaveholders did the right thing by freeing their slaves; they followed God's command. However, they made their promise in the Temple, and when they broke it, they disrespected God's name and showed contempt (breaking the rule in Deuteronomy 5:11).

Because they broke their covenant, the Lord would separate them from his protection. This expression refers to a covenant ceremony where they killed and cut a calf into two parts from head to tail. Those making a covenant walked between the pieces to show they agreed to be cut apart if they broke the covenant (see Genesis 15:9–18). All classes of people in Judah broke their oath, so they would all receive the punishment they agreed to.

Pharaoh Hophra had an agreement with Zedekiah to assist him if attacked (Isaiah 30:1–3; 31:1–3). The Babylonians left Jerusalem to fight against Pharaoh Hophra (Jeremiah 37:5–7), but they returned soon after.