Jeremiah 21

Introduction

A. 19 years separate Chapter 20 from 21.

1. First deportation during the reign of Jehoiachin had taken place.
2. The kings after Jehoiachin progressively got worse.

B. Last four kings of Judah:

1. Shallum or Jehoahaz (whom Jehovah sustains)
2. Jehoiakim, Jeremiah 20, 25-27 (whom Jehovah sets up)
3. Coniah or Jechoniah or Jehoiachin (whom Jehovah has appointed)
4. Zedekiah, Jeremiah 21 and 28 (justice of Jehovah)

C. Historical Context

1. First Babylonian deportation in 605 BC occurred during the reign of Jehoiakim.
2. Second Babylonian deportation in 598 BC occurred during the reign of Jehoiachin.
   a. Treasures from Jerusalem taken to Babylon.
   b. More captives taken to Babylon, such as Ezekiel.
   c. Nebuchadnezzar deposed Jehoiachin and installed Zedekiah as a puppet king.
3. Third and final deportation occurred in 587 BC when Nebuchadnezzar raised Jerusalem.

Zedekiah’s Request, vv. 1-2

A. As a last resort at the last possible hour, Zedekiah sends for help from God.

B. Zedekiah asks for deliverance.

Jeremiah’s Response, vv. 3-10

A. Jeremiah’s warning to Zedekiah, vv. 3-7

1. God will turn Judah’s weapons against them.
2. God will assemble the Babylonians inside the Jerusalem.
3. God will strike the inhabitants with pestilence.

B. Jeremiah’s word to the inhabitants, vv. 8-10

1. Surrender to the Babylonians and live.
2. Fight the Babylonians and die.

Jehovah’s Reminder, vv. 11-14

A. God commanded the House of David to rule justly or receive wrath, v. 12.

B. God condemns the House of David, vv. 13-14.

1. “Inhabitant of the valleys” = Jerusalem had valleys on three sides.
2. “Rock of the Plain” = Jerusalem rises from a plain.

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