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Jeremiah 34

In Jeremiah 34, the prophet Jeremiah delivers God’s message to King Zedekiah regarding the impending fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians. Despite a temporary attempt by Zedekiah and the people to observe the law by releasing Hebrew slaves, they fail to maintain their commitment, reverting back to their old ways. God warns that their disobedience will bring severe consequences, and Babylon’s siege will ultimately prevail. This chapter highlights the themes of divine justice, covenantal obligations, and the consequences of disobedience.

Jeremiah 34:1-7 (NKJV)
1 The word which came to Jeremiah from the Lord, when Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and all his army, all the kingdoms of the earth under his dominion, and all the people, fought against Jerusalem and all its cities, saying,
2 “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: ‘Go and speak to Zedekiah king of Judah and tell him, “Thus says the Lord: ‘Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall burn it with fire.
3 And you shall not escape from his hand, but shall surely be taken and delivered into his hand; your eyes shall see the eyes of the king of Babylon, he shall speak with you face to face, and you shall go to Babylon.’”
4 Yet hear the word of the Lord, O Zedekiah king of Judah! Thus says the Lord concerning you: ‘You shall not die by the sword;
5 you shall die in peace; as in the ceremonies of your fathers, the former kings who were before you, so they shall burn incense for you and lament for you, saying, “Alas, lord!” For I have pronounced the word, says the Lord.’”
6 Then Jeremiah the prophet spoke all these words to Zedekiah king of Judah in Jerusalem,
7 when the king of Babylon’s army fought against Jerusalem and all the cities of Judah that were left, against Lachish and Azekah; for only these fortified cities remained of the cities of Judah.

The Lord directs Jeremiah to deliver a stern message to King Zedekiah: Jerusalem will fall to Babylon, and the city will be burned. Zedekiah himself will be captured and taken to Babylon, meeting King Nebuchadnezzar face to face. However, God gives a slight consolation—though Zedekiah will not escape captivity, he will not die violently but pass away in peace, with traditional mourning rites conducted in his honor. This prophecy emphasizes both judgment and mercy, with God acknowledging Zedekiah’s fate yet allowing him a peaceful end, unlike many other kings of the era.

Jeremiah 34:8-11 (NKJV)
8 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord, after King Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people who were at Jerusalem to proclaim liberty to them:
9 that every man should set free his male and female slave—a Hebrew man or woman—that no one should keep a Jewish brother in bondage.
10 Now when all the princes and all the people who had entered into the covenant heard that everyone should set free his male and female slaves, that no one should keep them in bondage anymore, they obeyed and let them go.
11 But afterward they changed their minds and made the male and female slaves return, whom they had set free, and brought them into subjection as male and female slaves.

King Zedekiah and the people initially obey God’s law by releasing their Hebrew slaves, following the ancient command to set fellow Israelites free after a certain period. This act temporarily aligns them with God’s covenant, showing a glimmer of repentance. However, their commitment soon wavers, and they reclaim their slaves, violating the covenant and disregarding God’s laws. This backslide reflects their inconsistency and disregard for justice, highlighting the root of Jerusalem’s moral decline and impending judgment.

Jeremiah 34:12-16 (NKJV)
12 Therefore the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying,
13 “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: ‘I made a covenant with your fathers in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage, saying,
14 “At the end of seven years let every man set free his Hebrew brother, who has been sold to him; and when he has served you six years, you shall let him go free from you.” But your fathers did not obey Me nor incline their ear.
15 Then you recently turned and did what was right in My sight—every man proclaiming liberty to his neighbor; and you made a covenant before Me in the house which is called by My name.
16 Then you turned around and profaned My name, and every one of you brought back his male and female slaves, whom you had set at liberty, at their pleasure, and brought them back into subjection, to be your male and female slaves.’

God reminds the people of the covenant established during the Exodus, where Hebrew slaves were to be set free after six years. While Zedekiah and the people initially honor this law, their reversal of their promise is a serious breach of faith, profaning God’s name and dishonoring His house, where they had made the covenant. This betrayal highlights the people’s tendency to follow God superficially without lasting obedience, leading to spiritual decline.

Jeremiah 34:17-22 (NKJV)
17 “Therefore thus says the Lord: ‘You have not obeyed Me in proclaiming liberty, every one to his brother and every one to his neighbor. Behold, I proclaim liberty to you,’ says the Lord—‘to the sword, to pestilence, and to famine! And I will deliver you to trouble among all the kingdoms of the earth.
18 And I will give the men who have transgressed My covenant, who have not performed the words of the covenant which they made before Me, when they cut the calf in two and passed between the parts of it—
19 the princes of Judah, the princes of Jerusalem, the eunuchs, the priests, and all the people of the land who passed between the parts of the calf—
20 I will give them into the hand of their enemies and into the hand of those who seek their life. Their dead bodies shall be for meat for the birds of the heaven and the beasts of the earth.
21 And I will give Zedekiah king of Judah and his princes into the hand of their enemies, into the hand of those who seek their life, and into the hand of the king of Babylon’s army which has gone back from you.
22 Behold, I will command,’ says the Lord, ‘and cause them to return to this city. They will fight against it and take it and burn it with fire; and I will make the cities of Judah a desolation without inhabitant.’”

God declares a harsh judgment upon the people for their breach of covenant, turning their concept of “liberty” into a grim prophecy of their freedom—freedom to face the sword, famine, and pestilence. Those who participated in the symbolic covenant ritual by passing between the divided calf, representing a severe commitment, will be given over to their enemies. The prophecy extends to Zedekiah and the leaders, destined to fall into Babylon’s hands. God’s decree shows that the enemy forces will return, devastate Jerusalem, and leave Judah desolate, emphasizing the inevitable consequences of disobedience.

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