The Day Jerusalem Falls

Jeremiah 40

The Day of the LORD finally arrives and the NIV notes indicate that this is the most detailed account of the Old Testament of the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem and its aftermath.  And it happened just as Jeremiah prophesied.  And we hear more of the voices of the people in Lamentations.

Vs 1 “In the 9^th year, in the 10^th month of Zedekiah’s reign, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched against Jerusalem with his whole army and laid siege to it.  2 In the 9^th day of 4^th month of the 11^th year, the city wall was broken through. 4 Zedekiah, king of Judah and all the soldiers saw Nebuchadnezzar and the officials of Babylon and fled at night.  5 But the Babylonian army pursued them and overtook Zedekiah, took him to the king and pronounced a sentence on him.  6 They slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes and killed all the nobles of Judah.  Then they put out his eyes and bound him with bronze shackles to take him to Babylon.  “

Such a wretched man and such a violent outcome. It happened just as it was prophesied.   I wonder what it was like to know exactly what was coming and that it was because of your own actions, choices and consequences to either obey or disobey.

In Vs 8 and 9, we meet Nebuzaradan, commander of the imperial guard as he sets fire to the royal palace and the house of the people.   He also carried into the exile the people who remained in the city.  Vs 10 “But, Nebuzaradan, left behind in the land of Judah, some of the poor people who owned nothing and at that time he gave them vineyards and fields to work. “

And it struck me that in that moment, those poorest of poor, got to experience milk and honey living.  In this most difficult confusing desolate piece of God’s people’s history. In the darkest hour, freed slaves and destitute people found the plenty and abundance of the land. People without a voice or a choice: the homeless, the orphans, the lame and maimed, the single parents and the widows.   And it just blows my mind a little.  

Nebuchandezzar gave Nebuzaradan orders to take Jeremiah and look after him, and not to harm him but do whatever he asks. So he took Jeremiah from the courtyard of the guard and turned him over to Gedaliah to take him back to his home and Jeremiah remained there among his own people.   (Vs 11 to 15)

While he was imprisoned in the courtyard Jeremiah received a Word from the LORD about Ebed-Melech.  “Go, tell that while the prophesy against Jerusalem is coming true vs 17 I will rescue you on that day. You will not be handed over to those you fear. 18 I will save you; you will not fall by the sword, but will escape with your life because you trust in me, declares the LORD. “  This man, who in the face of danger, risked his life to rescue Jeremiah.  Unlike Zedekiah who couldn’t make a decision at all.   

And it’s amazing that we get this amount of detail as this prophesy is fulfilled.  While its fulfillment is terrible, it is also a testament to God’s Word and the way it prevails.  God doing what He says.  Cleaning up Israel’s act, saving those He promises to save, always providing a way out, and blessing the poorest of the poor with jobs, stewarding the vineyards and fields.

Fulfillment of prophesy.  God doing what he says.   The way He sent Jesus.   Prophesy and promise of the coming of a Messiah. These Words and messages of the deliverance and salvation of all of mankind from as far back as Genesis.  This same LORD, God Almighty, who loves us and cares for us, who goes to the ends of the earth for us.  He just asks for our hearts.  Surrender to His Desire to give us good gifts and blessings of Amazing Grace. 

Surrender, the easiest thing and the hardest thing.