Jeremiah 37:1 - Meaning and Application

Here we see Jeremiah’s preaching was ignored, even after his words began to come true (Jeremiah 37:1-2). Zedekiah, who succeeded Coniah, also called Jeconiah, had before him a clear warning from his predecessor’s ruin. Yet he, his officials, and the people still would not listen to the Lord’s words, even though judgment had already started. Those hearts are deeply stubborn that see God’s judgments on others, feel them themselves, and still refuse to humble themselves.

We also see Zedekiah asking for prayer. He sent messengers to Jeremiah, saying, “Pray now to the Lord our God for us” (Jeremiah 37:3). This was the same kind of request he had made before, and one of the messengers, Zephaniah, was the same man mentioned earlier. Zedekiah deserves some credit here, because he knew his need of God’s favor and felt unworthy to ask for it on his own. He also showed respect for godly people and ministers who had access to heaven.

When we are in trouble, we should ask our ministers and Christian friends to pray for us. That gives honor to prayer and shows respect for our brothers and sisters in Christ. Even kings should see praying people as the strength of a nation (Zechariah 12:5, Zechariah 12:10). Yet Zedekiah’s request also exposed his guilt. If he truly believed Jeremiah was a prophet whose prayers could help him and the people, why did he not also believe Jeremiah’s message and obey the Lord?

He wanted Jeremiah’s prayers, but not his counsel. He asked for help from a man who spoke in God’s name, and he clearly knew it, but he would not be guided by him. Many people are eager to be prayed for, but refuse to be advised. That only deceives them, because how can we expect God to hear others praying for us if we will not hear them speaking to us from God? Many who despise prayer in good times are glad of it in hard times, like foolish people saying, “Now give us some of your oil.” Zedekiah would have done better to ask Jeremiah to pray with him, but he thought that was beneath him. And how can anyone expect the comfort of religion if he will not humble himself to its duties?

Jerusalem was also encouraged for a time because the Chaldean army pulled back. Jeremiah was free to move among the people and speak openly (Jeremiah 37:4). The city also seemed free for the moment, because Zedekiah, though under Babylon’s rule, had made a private agreement with Pharaoh king of Egypt, as in (Ezekiel 17:15). When Babylon came to punish that treachery, Egypt sent troops to help Jerusalem. When news came of Egypt’s approach, the Chaldeans lifted the siege, probably for strategic reasons, not because they feared Egypt. The people then hoped the danger was over and that Jerusalem had been delivered for good.

This is a common way sinners grow careless. When judgments pause, they often become more secure. When God’s word will not wake them, God’s providence may wrongly lull them to sleep. The relief was only temporary, however. Zedekiah again sent to Jeremiah, asking him to pray that the Chaldean army would not return. Jeremiah answered that the decision had already been made, and it was foolish to expect peace, because God had already begun his case against them. “Do not deceive yourselves,” the Lord says (Jeremiah 37:9). Satan is the great deceiver, but he could not deceive us if we did not first deceive ourselves.

Jeremiah spoke plainly. First, he said Egypt would turn back and retreat into its own land, as in (Ezekiel 17:17) and (Isaiah 30:7). Their help would be useless. They would not dare stand against the Chaldeans, but would pull away in haste. If God does not help us, no creature can. No power can stand against God, and no power can help without him.

Second, he said the Chaldeans would return and press the siege again, with more force than before. They would not leave for good (Jeremiah 37:9), but would come back and fight against the city (Jeremiah 37:8). God has complete rule over all armies, even those that do not know or honor him. He directs their marches, retreats, and returns as he pleases. Fierce armies, like storm winds, still carry out his word.

Third, Jerusalem would certainly be handed over to the Chaldeans. They would take it and burn it with fire (Jeremiah 37:8). The judgment already pronounced on the city would be carried out, and they would be the ones to carry it out. Even if the Chaldean army had pulled away, or even if most of them had been wounded in battle, those wounded men would still rise up and burn the city (Jeremiah 37:10). This shows that Jerusalem’s doom could not be reversed and its destruction could not be avoided. There was no use trying to escape the stroke or fight against it.

Whatever means God chooses for his work, whether for mercy or for judgment, they will do what he intends. Those whom God appoints to save will save, and those whom he appoints to destroy will destroy, even if they seem weak, hurt, or unlikely to succeed. When God has work to do, he will not lack the right tools. And when he has chosen his tools, they will do the work, even if they seem unfit for it.