Today's Reading:

Jeremiah 38
Jeremiah 39
Jeremiah 40
Psalm 74
Psalm 79

When Jerusalem finally fell to the Babylonians, the city was burned, the temple destroyed, and most of the people were taken into exile. Yet even in the middle of the destruction, God’s grace was still at work in two ways.

First, God made sure a remnant was left in the land. The poor were not held captive; instead, they were given vineyards and fields to tend to. In a time of total devastation, the Lord looked after the vulnerable: the poor, the weak, and those with nothing left. This is consistent with His heart; He is always watching over the poor, the widow, and the fatherless. Even when judgment falls, His care for the least does not stop.

Second, God protected Jeremiah. The Babylonian officials were given clear orders: do not harm him. He was released from confinement and placed under the care of Gedaliah, and the daily provision of bread continued. Gedaliah’s father, Ahikam, had previously protected Jeremiah when the officials wanted to kill him (Jeremiah 26:24). His grandfather Shaphan was a scribe under King Josiah and was part of the discovery of the Book of the Law (2 Kings 22). The same prophet who had been rejected, beaten, and imprisoned by his own people was now shown kindness by the enemy that conquered Jerusalem. God had not forgotten His faithful servant.

In the ashes of Jerusalem, God still reserved a remnant, provided for the poor, and personally protected the one who had stood for His word. His grace continues even when everything else falls apart. When everything falls apart, and it looks like God has stepped back, where do you still see Him quietly taking care of the people no one else notices?

​Jeremiah continued to prophesy in the courtyard. When the officials heard they would be defeated, they went to King Zedekiah of Judah and said that Jeremiah should be put to death. Zedekiah left it up to the officials, who put Jeremiah in a deep cistern, where he sank down in the mud. Ebed-Melek, a Cushite(Ethiopian), bravely went to the king and reminded him that Jeremiah was not getting the daily allotted bread. Ebed-Molek was trying to spare Jeremiah’s life. He and his men padded the ropes to pull Jeremiah out of the cistern. This outsider was a hero who saved Jeremiah’s life. Due to this, he was later promised deliverance.

​King Zedekiah pulled Jeremiah aside a second time to inquire what the Lord had said. Again, Jeremiah told him to surrender to Babylon in order to save himself and his family. If he did not surrender, then his wives and children would be handed over, he himself would be caught, and the city would be burnt down. Zedekiah feared what the officials would do to Jeremiah if they heard about the conversation, so Zedekiah gave him a cover story to tell in order to save his life.

​The fall of Jerusalem and its destruction due to disobedience came by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar came back to Jerusalem and broke through the city wall. Zedekiah and his officials fled at night. They were caught, and all of Zedekiah’s sons were killed in front of him. Zedekiah’s own eyes were gouged out, and he was taken bound in shackles to Babylon. This fulfilled the prophecies by (Jeremiah 32:4-5, 34:3 and Ezekiel 12:13). Jerusalem, God’s chosen dwelling place for His people, and the Temple was then set on fire. This total destruction was per God’s own command, just as He had promised.

​God told Jeremiah to talk to the Cushite, Ebed-Melek, and he was prewarned that God would rescue him and that his life would be spared. Jeremiah was released to Judah’s appointed governor Gedaliah per Nebuzaradan’s kindness (captain of the imperial guard). Saving Jeremiah fulfilled the prophecy of verses 39:15-18.

​The Israelites in Edom, Moab, and Ammon heard that there was a remnant in Judah. Johanan warned Gedaliah about the king of the Ammonites and Ishmael’s plan to come and kill him. The army officers joined Jeremiah and Gedaliah at Mizpah, where they settled to farm and live. This was a temporary time of calmness. The Babylonian captain knew that God’s judgment was on their side. Gedaliah refused to believe the warning and was eventually assassinated along with others. This caused many of the remnant to eventually flee to Egypt against Jeremiah’s warning.

Psalm 74- The psalmist cried out, “God, remember us, the nation and people You made.” Mount Zion, Jerusalem, where You dwelt, is in ruins. The Temple was destroyed with axes and hatchets, then burnt to the ground. The people wondered why God did not avenge His name and where His prophets were. Yet they still remembered all God had done from creation forward and asked Him to defend His cause. Even in their time of grief, this showed that they still had faith in who He is.

Psalm 79- This was a lament over Jerusalem’s fall to Babylon. The Temple was returned to rubble. The dead were thrown about, not buried, in the streets for the birds to devour. The surrounding nations scorned God’s people. “How long would God be angry?” they wondered. They pleaded with God to judge their enemies and to show them mercy. They wanted God to avenge the blood that was shed and to pay back 7 times to the enemy (a completion number). As their neighbors taunted them, they wanted help for His name’s sake.

Today's Discussion question:

In the ashes of Jerusalem, God still reserved a remnant, provided for the poor, and personally protected the one who had stood for His word. His grace continues even when everything else falls apart. When everything falls apart and it looks like God has stepped back, where do you still see Him quietly taking care of the people no one else notices?

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