Jer 21:2 | MHM | STEP | v. 2 : Zedekiah sent two messengers, Pashur and Zephaniah, both priests from important families (1 Chronicles 24:9, 18 ), to Jeremiah. It showed some respect for the prophet, but it would have been better if Zedekiah had come himself. Sometimes, those who are despised later become respected. Jeremiah, who once cried, My days are consumed with shame (Jeremiah 20:18 ), is now honored by the king. The message from Zedekiah was, Enquire, I pray thee, of the Lord for us . Now that the danger is real, the king finally admits Jeremiah is a true prophet. The king asks Jeremiah to pray and find out what God wants them to do. He also hopes Jeremiah will ask God to help them. But their main concern is to make the enemy leave, not to make peace with God. They remember how God saved Jerusalem in the past, such as when Sennacherib attacked and God rescued the city at Isaiah’s prayer (2 Chronicles 32:20–21 ). But they do not realize their own hearts are not like Hezekiah’s. It is foolish to expect God’s help while still holding on to sin.

‏ Jeremiah 21:2

v. 2: Zedekiah sent two messengers, Pashur and Zephaniah, both priests from important families (1 Chronicles 24:9, 18 ^a), to Jeremiah. It showed some respect for the prophet, but it would have been better if Zedekiah had come himself. Sometimes, those who are despised later become respected. Jeremiah, who once cried, My days are consumed with shame (Jeremiah 20:18 ^b), is now honored by the king.

The message from Zedekiah was, Enquire, I pray thee, of the Lord for us . Now that the danger is real, the king finally admits Jeremiah is a true prophet. The king asks Jeremiah to pray and find out what God wants them to do. He also hopes Jeremiah will ask God to help them. But their main concern is to make the enemy leave, not to make peace with God. They remember how God saved Jerusalem in the past, such as when Sennacherib attacked and God rescued the city at Isaiah’s prayer (2 Chronicles 32:20–21 ^c). But they do not realize their own hearts are not like Hezekiah’s. It is foolish to expect God’s help while still holding on to sin.