Introduction
Verses 21 and 22 of this chapter give further information about the time and context. God said regarding the Babylonian army that they had gone back from Jerusalem, but that He would command…and cause them to return to this city (Jeremiah 34:22). The events of this chapter are in the context of when the Egyptians came against the Babylonians during this siege, and Nebuchadnezzar briefly withdrew from the siege of Jerusalem to fight the Egyptians to the south (Jeremiah 37:5-10). The leaders and people of Jerusalem thought they were delivered, but God and His prophet knew the Babylonians would return.
Prophecy of Zedekiah’s Defeat, vv. 1-7
A. Zedekiah rebelled against Babylon / stopped paying tribute, c. 589 BC.
B. Because Babylon left Jerusalem to fight the Egyptians, Zedekiah thought they were delivered.
1. Lachish, located 30 miles southwest of Jerusalem, was a fortress against Egypt.
2. Azekah was also a fortress against southern invasion.
3. These two cities of Judah were strongly fortified by Rehoboam, 2 Chronicles 11:9-11 and 2 Chronicles 32:9.
C. Jeremiah delivered God’s word to Zedekiah.
1. Babylon will defeat Judah.
2. Zedekiah would be captured and exiled to Babylon.
3. Zedekiah will die a natural death.
Emancipation of Hebrew Slaves, vv. 8-10
A. Zedekiah proclaimed the emancipation of all Hebrew slaves as Babylon threatened Jerusalem.
1. The Lord required Hebrew slaves to be freed after six years of service, vv. 12-15, Exodus 21 and Deuteronomy 15:12-15.
2. The master ignored this point of the Lord’s covenant.
B. “They obeyed, and let them go,” v. 10.
1. Panic piety: under Babylonian siege, they repented of their prior sin.
2. Cold self-interest: the masters did not want to be responsible for feeding their slaves, thinking they might be better soldiers if they were free.
Reneging on the Emancipation, vv. 11-16
A. As the Babylonians laid siege against Jerusalem, the Egyptians saw an opportunity to attack their rear flank.
B. Learning this, the Babylonians retreated from Jerusalem to repel the Egyptian attack.
C. When the Babylonian siege was lifted, the people repented of their repentance and forced the slaves back into servitude (Kidner, Clark).
Punishment for Breaking the Emancipation, vv. 17-22
Because they reneged on the liberty of the Hebrew slaves, God “would free them from His protection, and they would see the sword, pestilence, and famine coming at them with full liberty, and they would see trouble among all the kingdoms of the earth” (Guzik).
Conclusion
A. God judges our disobedience to His Word.
B. God judges our broken vows / word, v. 8.