9 Mar 2016, Jeremiah 21 耶利米书 21, Zedekiah’s Dilemma 西底家的困境

Posted on Mar 5, 2016 in Devotions, Jeremiah |

Scripture Reading  : Jeremiah 21

Theme                  : Zedekiah’s Dilemma

 

Chapters 21-39 are about Jeremiah’s prophecies during the reign from Jehoiakim to Zedekiah, which is toward the exile of Judah. The background of this chapter is the advancement of the Babylonian army on Jerusalem. This will be Judah’s third and final exile (2 Kgs 25). Zedekiah was at the end of his rope and out of desperation he sent an envoy to Jeremiah, hoping he would give a favorable word from God. The Pashhur of this chapter is not the priest in chapter 20 (cf. 38:1). Instead of a favorable word from God, God again spoke of judgment. He said Zedekiah will be exiled to Babylon. However, God graciously urged the people to surrender to Babylon in order to survive. God also addressed the royal line by urging them to carry out their role of delivering justice to the people. If they obey, the pain of the Babylonian conquest would be mitigated.

 

Praying the Scripture

Zedekiah only sought to be delivered by God from punishment and pain, but he did not express any repentance. He is like many non-believers, who do not believe in God but will only plead with God when bad things happen. However, they are not willing to repent and love God. Such plead with God is not from true faith, but is an expression of desperation from unbelief. Pray that when you go to God for help, after God helps you, you do not forsake Him, but you must love Him and honor Him.

经文：耶利米书21

主题：西底家的困境

 

第21至39章记述了耶利米从约雅敬至西底家作王时的预言，主题是犹大的掳掠。本章的背景是巴比伦军队对耶路撒冷的进攻。这将会是犹大第三次，也是最后一次被掳掠（王下25）。西底家已穷途末路，在绝望中差派使者询问耶利米，冀望神通过耶利米给他们报佳讯。本章提及的巴施户珥并不是在20章里的祭司（参38:1）。神不但没报佳音，还再次提及审判。祂说西底家将被掳到巴比伦。然而，神仍满有恩典，敦促百姓向巴比伦归降以便存活。神也呼吁王室要尽责，向百姓施行公义。他们若肯服从，就能减轻被巴比伦侵略之后的苦楚。

 

用经文祷告

西底家只向神寻求免去审判与痛苦，却没有表明要悔改。他就像许多非信徒，虽不信神却在危机之时向神祈求。然而，他们却不愿意悔改与爱神。如此的祈求并不出于真正的信，却只是在不信中对于绝望的表现。祷告当你向神寻求帮助并蒙垂听后不会离弃神，乃要爱祂与敬畏祂。