1-22 The Sign of the Yoke
- God tells Jeremiah to make a yoke of straps and bars and put them on his neck.
- Then he is to go to the envoys that have come to Zedekiah from Edom, Moab, Ammon, Tyre and Sidon and tell them to take home this message:
- Since I am the Creator of this earth, I can give lands to whomever I choose, and I have chosen King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon.
- I am commanding all nations to put themselves under the yoke of King Nebuchadnezzar. If they don't, I will bring destruction on them. If they do, I will allow them to stay in their own lands. Tell them not to listen to their soothsayers.
- Say the same thing to Zedekiah: Do not listen to the prophets; I have not sent them.
- Do not listen to the prophets who say the temple vessels will soon be brought back to Jerusalem. Indeed, the vessels that have been left behind will also be taken to Babylon until I restore them to their place.
1-17 Hananiah Opposes Jeremiah and Dies
- Hananiah, a prophet, confronts Jeremiah in public in the temple, declaring that God has broken the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar and in two years will bring the temple vessels back to Jerusalem, along with Jeconiah and all the other exiles.
- Jeremiah replies that that's what his prayer is, too. Many prophets have foretold the destruction of other nations. If this prophecy of peace comes true, then the people will know that this prophet is from God. I see in Jeremiah's reply great tact. He doesn't defend himself as God's prophet; in essence he says, "Time will tell; God will speak for himself."
- Hananiah breaks the yoke around Jeremiah's neck (a physical relief for Jeremiah, I'm sure), saying it is a sign of how God will break the yoke Nebuchadnezzar has placed on Judah.
- Jeremiah leaves the temple.
- God tells Jeremiah to go to Hananiah and tell him that because he has broken the wooden yoke, he will place an iron yoke on the people – even the animals will serve the king of Babylon.
- And Hananiah, the LORD has not sent you; in fact, you will be dead within a year.
- Hananiah dies within two months of his declaration in the temple.
1-3 Jeremiah's Letter to the Exiles in Babylon
- Sent by the hand of Elasah and Gemariah, whom King Zedekiah sent to King Nebuchadnezzar
- Jeremiah to the exiles: Thus says the LORD: Build houses, plant gardens, establish yourselves in Babylon.
- "Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare." I quoted this whole passage because I really like this concept and think it is such good advice for God's people anywhere, especially if you're in a place you don't want to be: a geographical location; a job; a neighborhood; with a disagreeable family member(s). It encourages us to improve a bad situation by always seeking the best and doing our best; it promises we can make a difference.
- Don't listen to the prophets and diviners among you; they are lying, for I did not send them.
- After 70 years I will restore you to your home, because then you will be calling on me and praying to me. "If you seek me with all your heart, I will let you find me."
- As for King Zedekiah and others that have been left behind in Jerusalem, I will punish them with sword, famine, and pestilence.
- They will also be captured by Nebuchadnezzar, and he will kill Ahab (son of Kolaiah) and Zedekiah (son of Masseiah) who lie to you in my name – will kill them before your eyes.
- They have "perpetrated outrage," committed adultery with their neighbors' wives, and spoken lies in my name.
- Shemaiah of Nehelam sends a letter from Babylon to the priest Zephaniah (son of Maaseiah) and to the other priests, asking them why they are not controlling the "madman" Jeremiah by putting him in stocks, because Jeremiah has written a letter to the exiles saying they will be there for 70 years.
- Zephaniah reads the letter in Jeremiah's hearing.
- God tells Jeremiah to send another letter: He will punish Shemaiah and his descendants for his false prophecy; none of his people will see the good that the LORD will do for his people.
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