Text: Jeremiah 34:1-22
In this chapter, Jeremiah delivers two messages: (1). That Zedekiah, King of
Judah, will be taken captive to Babylon and will die there in peace (vv.1-7); (2).
Jeremiah proclaims the impending doom that will befall both the princes and the people of Judah for their unfaithfulness to God (vv.8-11).
At this point, Jerusalem is about to fall after being sieged for a long time by
Babylon. In desperation, Zedekiah decides to listen to Jeremiah, thinking that he may appease God (vv.8-9). He freed slaves. God was looking for a changed heart, a genuine repentance, not a kind act of tokenism from the King. From the beginning the people had started by disobeying God’s law (Ex. 21:2-11; Lev. 25:39-55; Deut. 15:12-18). At some point the siege was lifted and people got relief, unfortunately, with this relief, people turned back to their former ways, they recaptured the freed slaves (11-17; 37; 5, 11). The people never kept their promises (vv.15-16). Just like many of us, when we are in danger we promise to serve God with all our strength, when we are out of danger we forget about our promises. It is only when we are in
Christ that the Holy Spirit enables us to serve God truthfully.
Meditate on verse 9. How are you going to apply it to your life?
Father in heaven, help me keep my pledge with You always. In the name of
Jesus Christ I have prayed. Amen.