Jer 34:7 | KingComments | STEP | After the “book of comfort” (Jeremiah 30-33) we are back to everyday life. The word of the LORD comes to Jeremiah at the moment when the entire world is gathered against Jerusalem ( ). Nebuchadnezzar and all his army and all the kingdoms over which he rules and all the nations over which he does not rule are fighting against Jerusalem and all the cities that belong to it. Jerusalem is the target. In that situation, the LORD instructs Jeremiah to go to Zedekiah saying that He will give the city into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar who will burn it with fire ( ). The LORD alludes to Zedekiah’s fleeing when He says that he will certainly be seized and brought before Nebuchadnezzar personally ( ). His fleeing will be futile. He will come to Babylon. He will come face to face with the king of Babylon, but Babylon itself he will not see because his eyes will be put out before he is taken to Babylon ( ; ). In His mercy, the LORD also says that Zedekiah will not die by the sword ( ), but in peace in Babylon. It is even so, that spices will be burned for him (cf. ). This is an unexpected sign of tribute to this yet so wicked king, who apparently still had a certain care for his people ( ). Once again the Spirit of God points out the circumstances under which Jeremiah speaks all his words to Zedekiah ( ). The battle for Jerusalem and all the cities of Judah that have not yet fallen is in full swing ( ). Two remaining cities are mentioned by name, because they are the only cities that have been fortified – by Rehoboam ( )

‏ Jeremiah 34:7

Announcement of the End of Zedekiah

After the “book of comfort” (Jeremiah 30-33) we are back to everyday life. The word of the LORD comes to Jeremiah at the moment when the entire world is gathered against Jerusalem (Jer 34:1). Nebuchadnezzar and all his army and all the kingdoms over which he rules and all the nations over which he does not rule are fighting against Jerusalem and all the cities that belong to it. Jerusalem is the target. In that situation, the LORD instructs Jeremiah to go to Zedekiah saying that He will give the city into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar who will burn it with fire (Jer 34:2).

The LORD alludes to Zedekiah’s fleeing when He says that he will certainly be seized and brought before Nebuchadnezzar personally (Jer 34:3). His fleeing will be futile. He will come to Babylon. He will come face to face with the king of Babylon, but Babylon itself he will not see because his eyes will be put out before he is taken to Babylon (Jer 52:11; Eze 12:13b).

In His mercy, the LORD also says that Zedekiah will not die by the sword (Jer 34:4), but in peace in Babylon. It is even so, that spices will be burned for him (cf. 2Chr 16:14 ; 2Chr 21:19). This is an unexpected sign of tribute to this yet so wicked king, who apparently still had a certain care for his people (Jer 34:5).

Once again the Spirit of God points out the circumstances under which Jeremiah speaks all his words to Zedekiah (Jer 34:6). The battle for Jerusalem and all the cities of Judah that have not yet fallen is in full swing (Jer 34:7). Two remaining cities are mentioned by name, because they are the only cities that have been fortified – by Rehoboam (2Chr 11:5 ; 9) – and there the opposition is fiercest.