Jer 39:5 | KingComments | STEP | When Zedekiah sees the enemy appearing in the city, he concludes his evil reign with the shameful and cowardly act of attempting to flee ( ). Concerned for his own life, he abandons his people whom he has plunged into misery by his futile opposition to an overpowering enemy. Far worse, in doing so, he again demonstrates his disobedience to God’s Word that was so clearly preached to him by Jeremiah. He ventures to break out together with the all the remaining men of war. They do it at night in a place that seems to be hidden from the eye of the enemy. He leaves “toward the Arabah”, i.e. the Jordan valley. The escape attempt proves to be in vain. It is also folly to run away from the clear statements of the LORD and the means He uses. He is overtaken in the plains of Jericho and seized there ( ). It is rather tragic that the last king of the people suffers this fate at the very place where Joshua and the people won their first victory in the land ( ). Zedekiah is brought up to the king of Babylon. There, as has been foretold, he stands face to face with the mighty Nebuchadnezzar ( ), the man who made him king ( ). He made a covenant with him and broke it ( ). Now he reaps what he sowed in his folly ( ). The king of Babylon passes sentence on him. In a deeper sense, this is the sentence of the LORD. His sons are slain before his eyes ( ). That must have been a terrible sight. All the nobles of Judah, who supported Zedekiah in his wicked policy, are also slain. Then Zedekiah’s eyes are put out and he is blind ( ). He has always refused the light of God’s Word and lived in spiritual darkness. Now he must also lack the light of his eyes for the rest of his life and literally live in darkness. The last thing he saw in the light of the world was the slaughter of his sons. That picture will always stay with him and torment him. Then, blind and bound with fetters of bronze, he is taken to Babylon. Thus also the word is fulfilled that he will be brought to Babylon, but will not see it ( ). 1. Zedekiah, the last king, 2. Samson, the last judge and 3. Laodicea, the last church, all ended up blind. They are overcome by the world because of their unfaithfulness to God and their disobedience to His Word. As a result, they lost sight of the things of God. The Chaldeans burn the king’s house and the houses of the people ( ). They also break down the walls of Jerusalem. What is left of the people, both in the city and outside it, is taken into exile to Babylon, as are the deserters ( ). The poorest of the land, those who have no possessions – perhaps the Rechabites? ( ) – may continue to live in the land ( ). They pose no threat and can tend the vineyards and fields they are given at their disposal.

‏ Jeremiah 39:5

The Fate of Zedekiah and Jerusalem

When Zedekiah sees the enemy appearing in the city, he concludes his evil reign with the shameful and cowardly act of attempting to flee (Jer 39:4). Concerned for his own life, he abandons his people whom he has plunged into misery by his futile opposition to an overpowering enemy. Far worse, in doing so, he again demonstrates his disobedience to God’s Word that was so clearly preached to him by Jeremiah.

He ventures to break out together with the all the remaining men of war. They do it at night in a place that seems to be hidden from the eye of the enemy. He leaves “toward the Arabah”, i.e. the Jordan valley. The escape attempt proves to be in vain. It is also folly to run away from the clear statements of the LORD and the means He uses. He is overtaken in the plains of Jericho and seized there (Jer 39:5). It is rather tragic that the last king of the people suffers this fate at the very place where Joshua and the people won their first victory in the land (Jos 6:2 ; 20-21).

Zedekiah is brought up to the king of Babylon. There, as has been foretold, he stands face to face with the mighty Nebuchadnezzar (Jer 32:3-4), the man who made him king (2Kgs 24:17). He made a covenant with him and broke it (Eze 17:18). Now he reaps what he sowed in his folly (2Chr 36:12-13). The king of Babylon passes sentence on him. In a deeper sense, this is the sentence of the LORD.

His sons are slain before his eyes (Jer 39:6). That must have been a terrible sight. All the nobles of Judah, who supported Zedekiah in his wicked policy, are also slain. Then Zedekiah’s eyes are put out and he is blind (Jer 39:7). He has always refused the light of God’s Word and lived in spiritual darkness. Now he must also lack the light of his eyes for the rest of his life and literally live in darkness.

The last thing he saw in the light of the world was the slaughter of his sons. That picture will always stay with him and torment him. Then, blind and bound with fetters of bronze, he is taken to Babylon. Thus also the word is fulfilled that he will be brought to Babylon, but will not see it (Eze 12:13).

1. Zedekiah, the last king,

2. Samson, the last judge and

3. Laodicea, the last church,

all ended up blind. They are overcome by the world because of their unfaithfulness to God and their disobedience to His Word. As a result, they lost sight of the things of God.

The Chaldeans burn the king’s house and the houses of the people (Jer 39:8). They also break down the walls of Jerusalem. What is left of the people, both in the city and outside it, is taken into exile to Babylon, as are the deserters (Jer 39:9). The poorest of the land, those who have no possessions – perhaps the Rechabites? (Jer 35:1-11) – may continue to live in the land (Jer 39:10). They pose no threat and can tend the vineyards and fields they are given at their disposal.