Jer 38:14 | KingComments | STEP | The indecisive Zedekiah sends for Jeremiah ( ). He wants to know something from him, and Jeremiah doesn’t have to beat around the bush about it. Jeremiah knows the man, how unaccountable he is. This time he first wants assurance that what he is about to say will not lead to his death ( ). At the same time he adds that Zedekiah will not listen anyway. This is very clear language. Zedekiah swears to the LORD that he will not put Jeremiah to death or give him over to the men who would love to kill him ( ). After promising that his life will be spared, Jeremiah relays to Zedekiah the words of the LORD ( ). Again he places God in all His greatness before this king. The message is still the same. Surrender to the king of Babylon means life for him and his house and preservation of the city. If he does not surrender, the city will fall into the hands of the Chaldeans who will burn it with fire ( ). He himself will not escape them either. Zedekiah is indecisive because he is unwilling to surrender to the LORD. He loves the honor of men more than the LORD. The proverb “fear of man [someone] lays a trap” ( ) applies to him. His argument for not listening is his fear that the already defecting Judeans will mock him ( ). He does not think he can bear that shame and therefore he continues to disobey the word of the LORD. Many put off a decision for the Lord Jesus with such reasons, only to be ultimately rejected by Him. The first to be named among those who will be in hell are “the cowardly” ( ). They are not afraid of God, but of men. They reject God in order not to be rejected by men. Jeremiah assures him that his premonition is deceiving him and that what he fears will not happen ( ). He begs the king to listen to the voice of the LORD anyway and points out the good it will bring him. It is his last chance. If he does not listen, he has another message ( ). Jeremiah unflinchingly presents Zedekiah with what awaits him then. His wives will be carried off ( ). They will scold him for deceiving them and as a result his feet will sink in the mire. All solid ground under his feet will disappear. His whole family will be taken away ( ). He himself will not escape. The escape attempt he will make will fail. The king of Babylon will seize him and Jerusalem will go up in flames. That is what awaits him if he does not listen. It is the last word the prophet spoke to Zedekiah in great earnestness and with love for the city, the people and the king. But it is in vain.

‏ Jeremiah 38:14

Zedekiah’s Conversation with Jeremiah

The indecisive Zedekiah sends for Jeremiah (Jer 38:14). He wants to know something from him, and Jeremiah doesn’t have to beat around the bush about it. Jeremiah knows the man, how unaccountable he is. This time he first wants assurance that what he is about to say will not lead to his death (Jer 38:15). At the same time he adds that Zedekiah will not listen anyway. This is very clear language. Zedekiah swears to the LORD that he will not put Jeremiah to death or give him over to the men who would love to kill him (Jer 38:16).

After promising that his life will be spared, Jeremiah relays to Zedekiah the words of the LORD (Jer 38:17). Again he places God in all His greatness before this king. The message is still the same. Surrender to the king of Babylon means life for him and his house and preservation of the city. If he does not surrender, the city will fall into the hands of the Chaldeans who will burn it with fire (Jer 38:18). He himself will not escape them either.

Zedekiah is indecisive because he is unwilling to surrender to the LORD. He loves the honor of men more than the LORD. The proverb “fear of man [someone] lays a trap” (Pro 29:25a) applies to him. His argument for not listening is his fear that the already defecting Judeans will mock him (Jer 38:19). He does not think he can bear that shame and therefore he continues to disobey the word of the LORD.

Many put off a decision for the Lord Jesus with such reasons, only to be ultimately rejected by Him. The first to be named among those who will be in hell are “the cowardly” (Rev 21:8). They are not afraid of God, but of men. They reject God in order not to be rejected by men.

Jeremiah assures him that his premonition is deceiving him and that what he fears will not happen (Jer 38:20). He begs the king to listen to the voice of the LORD anyway and points out the good it will bring him. It is his last chance. If he does not listen, he has another message (Jer 38:21). Jeremiah unflinchingly presents Zedekiah with what awaits him then. His wives will be carried off (Jer 38:22). They will scold him for deceiving them and as a result his feet will sink in the mire. All solid ground under his feet will disappear.

His whole family will be taken away (Jer 38:23). He himself will not escape. The escape attempt he will make will fail. The king of Babylon will seize him and Jerusalem will go up in flames. That is what awaits him if he does not listen. It is the last word the prophet spoke to Zedekiah in great earnestness and with love for the city, the people and the king. But it is in vain.