College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
Jeremiah 21:1-2
CHAPTER TWELVE
POLITICAL PRONOUNCEMENTS OF THE PROPHET
Jeremiah 21:1 to Jeremiah 25:38
The oracles in Chapter s 21-25 are concerned mainly with political matters. These materials come from the reigns of three kings and may be arranged chronologically according to the following scheme:
1. From the reign of Jehoiakim
2. From the reign of Jehoiachin
3. From the reign of Zedekiah
In addition to these oracles, other literary elements are clearly present in this section including narrative (Jeremiah 21:1-2; Jeremiah 25:1-2), autobiography (Jeremiah 23:9), vision (Jeremiah 24:1-2) and action parable (Jeremiah 25:15-29). Topically this section of the book can be divided into two subdivisions: (1) God and the leaders of Judah (Jeremiah 21:1 to Jeremiah 24:10); and (2) God and the World Order (Jeremiah 25:1-38).
I. GOD AND THE LEADERS OF JUDAH
Jeremiah 21:1 to Jeremiah 24:10
Chapter s 21-24 contain mainly oracles addressed to the leaders of Judah particularly the kings and the prophets. The material is not in chronological order as already noted. The section begins with a reply to king Zedekiah (Jeremiah 21:1-14) which is followed by general remarks directed to the royal house (Jeremiah 22:1-9). Standing next are three oracles directed to Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim and Jehoiachin (Jeremiah 22:10-30). chapter 23 begins with the promise of an ideal ruler who is to come (Jeremiah 23:1-8) and continues with a lengthy condemnation of the false prophets (Jeremiah 23:9-15). The section closes with a vision and the interpretation thereof (Jeremiah 24:1-10).
A. A Reply to King Zedekiah Jeremiah 21:1-14
The time is 588 B.C. A new Pharaoh had taken the throne, Pharaoh Hophra (588-569 B.C.), known in secular literature as Apries. Hoping to re-establish Egypt as a world power, he at once challenged the Babylonian supremacy. By means of lavish promises Hophra secured the support of a number of leaders in Jerusalem. Zedekiah eventually gave in to the political pressure to rebel against Babylon. This act of indiscretion brought on the invasion of the great Nebuchadnezzar. City after city in Judah was falling to the Chaldeans. Having no one to whom to turn except the man of God, Zedekiah sent a delegation to Jeremiah. The present paragraph contains (1) the appeal of the king (Jeremiah 21:1-2), (2) the answer of the prophet (Jeremiah 21:3-7), (3) advice to the people (Jeremiah 21:8-10), and (4) the alternatives for the royal house (Jeremiah 21:11-14).
1. The appeal of the king (Jeremiah 21:1-2)
TRANSLATION
(1) The word which came unto Jeremiah from the LORD when king Zedekiah sent unto him Pashur son of Malchiah, and Zephaniah the priest, the son of Maaseiah, saying, (2) Please inquire of the LORD on our behalf, for Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon is fighting against us; perhaps the LORD will deal with us according to His wondrous works and cause him to go up from us.
COMMENTS
Zedekiah selected two men to form his delegation to the prophet. Representing the civil authority was Pashur the son of Malchiah. This is not the same Pashur who appeared in Jeremiah 20:1 as a high ranking priest and false prophet. Representing the ecclesiastical authority was Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah who is mentioned again in Jeremiah 29:25 and Jeremiah 37:3. He was second in rank to the high priest (Jeremiah 52:24). Since Jeremiah had been for so long public enemy number one to the leaders in Jerusalem, it must have been very embarrassing for them to now seek him out for counsel and guidance.
The delegation was in no position to make demands. Rather they humbly petition the prophet to inquire of the Lord for them. The word inquire here is a technical word in the Hebrew which means to seek an oracle. They were seeking a revelation from God. These men do not come as penitent sinners casting themselves on the mercy of God. They say nothing in their conversation about forgiveness or repentance. They seem to be expecting some positive response on the part of God. No doubt they fully expected Him to intervene on behalf of Jerusalem in the present crisis even as He had done many years before when Sennacherib the Assyrian had besieged the city (2 Kings 19:35). Zedekiah and his counselors and court theologians could not believe that God had abandoned them. They seem to have forgotten all that Jeremiah had been saying throughout his ministry.
The spelling of the name of the Chaldean king in this verse should be noted. This is the spelling which predominates in Jeremiah and Daniel and is the only form in Ezekiel. Actually this form of the name is closer to the Babylonian original Nabukudurri-uzur. In the Bible the spelling Nebuchadnezzar is also found.