In the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and all his army came against Jerusalem and besieged it. 2 In the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, on the ninth day of the month, a breach was made in the city. 3 Then all the officials of the king of Babylon came and sat in the middle gate: Nergal-sar-ezer of Samgar, Nebu-sar-sekim the Rab-saris, Nergal-sar-ezer the Rab-mag, with all the rest of the officers of the king of Babylon. 4 When Zedekiah king of Judah and all the soldiers saw them, they fled, going out of the city at night by way of the king's garden through the gate between the two walls; and they went toward the Arabah. 5 But the army of the Chaldeans pursued them and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho. And when they had taken him, they brought him up to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, at Riblah, in the land of Hamath; and he passed sentence on him. 6 The king of Babylon slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah at Riblah before his eyes, and the king of Babylon slaughtered all the nobles of Judah. 7 He put out the eyes of Zedekiah and bound him in chains to take him to Babylon. 8 The Chaldeans burned the king's house and the house of the people, and broke down the walls of Jerusalem. 9 Then Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, carried into exile to Babylon the rest of the people who were left in the city, those who had deserted to him, and the people who remained. 10 Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, left in the land of Judah some of the poor people who owned nothing, and gave them vineyards and fields at the same time.
The Lord Delivers Jeremiah
11 Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon gave command concerning Jeremiah through Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, saying, 12 “Take him, look after him well, and do him no harm, but deal with him as he tells you.” 13 So Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard, Nebushazban the Rab-saris, Nergal-sar-ezer the Rab-mag, and all the chief officers of the king of Babylon 14 sent and took Jeremiah from the court of the guard. They entrusted him to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan, that he should take him home. So he lived among the people.
15 The word of the Lord came to Jeremiah while he was shut up in the court of the guard: 16 “Go, and say to Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Behold, I will fulfill my words against this city for harm and not for good, and they shall be accomplished before you on that day. 17 But I will deliver you on that day, declares the Lord, and you shall not be given into the hand of the men of whom you are afraid. 18 For I will surely save you, and you shall not fall by the sword, but you shall have your life as a prize of war, because you have put your trust in me, declares the Lord.’” Jeremiah 39 ESV
Jeremiah 39 The Fall of Jerusalem
…3Even jackals offer their breasts to nurse their young, but the daughter of my people has become cruel, like an ostrich in the wilderness. 4The nursing infant’s tongue clings in thirst to the roof of his mouth. Little children beg for bread, but no one gives them any. 5Those who once ate delicacies are destitute in the streets; those brought up in crimson heaps. Lamentations 4: 3-5
1-10. Besieged it - Now great cities have great walls to keep enemies at bay, but in order to have a siege one must have a formidable army, otherwise the defending side would not lock themselves inside. Now the city must have to have water, food and some military presence to keep the attackers at bay. The invaders know all this and will cut off every supply that they can, and a sign of it working is defectors, hungry and willing to do anything for bread. Babylon must feed it's own soldiers, so their resources have to run deep, and eventually they will either breach the wall or build a ramp up to it. The more Jerusalem resists, the more it cost Babylon, so the more Nebuchadnezzar will make them pay.
He put out the eyes of Zedekiah - This fulfills the prophecy of Zedekiah going to a land that he would not see.
…12And at dusk the prince among them will lift his bags to his shoulder and go out. They will dig through the wall to bring him out. He will cover his face so he cannot see the land. 13But I will spread My net over him, and he will be caught in My snare. I will bring him to Babylon, the land of the Chaldeans; yet he will not see it, and there he will die. 14And I will scatter to every wind all the attendants around him and all his troops, and I will draw a sword to chase after them.… Ezekiel 12:12-14
Some of the poor - He left behind the poor, probably thinking them not a threat, but we know all things to be under God's sovereignty as well, and it does appear that they are familiar with the Jewish prophets, like Isaiah and Jeremiah. Judah had treated it's poor, widows and fatherless against the commands of God. They did not do right by them, and they even abused them, not honoring the release of slaves after the sixth year, nor returning properties. They were loan sharks and in love with their vices. God, through the prophets, praised the kings who took up the cause of the poor.
…13The LORD arises to contend; He stands to judge the people. 14The LORD brings this charge against the elders and leaders of His people: “You have devoured the vineyard; the plunder of the poor is in your houses. 15Why do you crush My people and grind the faces of the poor?” declares the Lord GOD of Hosts.… Isaiah 3: 13-15
…15Does it make you a king to excel in cedar? Did not your father have food and drink? He administered justice and righteousness, and so it went well with him. 16He took up the cause of the poor and needy, and so it went well with him. Is this not what it means to know Me?” declares the LORD. 17“But your eyes and heart are set on nothing except your own dishonest gain, on shedding innocent blood, on practicing extortion and oppression.”… Jeremiah 22: 15-17
11-18. Concerning Jeremiah - He must be known as a prophet and probably from those who had been taken captive already, but also this is the land from which Abraham originally came. Though their languages were probably different, there had already been meetings between the Babylonians and other kings of Judah, Hezekiah I recall in particular.
“How Jeremiah was known to the Babylonian authorities is not made clear, though very likely it was through the Judean deserters.” (Thompson)
Because you have put your trust in Me, declares the Lord - There were so many earthly reasons not to intercede on behalf of Jeremiah. He was unpopular, as was his message. He had a great many enemies, which would become the enemies of any who would stand with him, yet this foreigner does. He does because he believes in Jeremiah's God. He is more royal and honorable than Judah's king.
Ebed-Melech could come and find refuge in the God of Israel through trust, through faith. “We can notice that it says nothing of the heroism, the compassion, or the resourcefulness of his rescue-operation, outstanding though these were: only of the faith in God that was the mainspring of them all.” (Kidner)
…28A man is not a Jew because he is one outwardly, nor is circumcision only outward and physical. 29No, a man is a Jew because he is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man’s praise does not come from men, but from God. Romans 2: 28-29
…43I have come in My Father’s name, and you have not received Me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will receive him. 44How can you believe if you accept glory from one another, yet do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? 45Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father. Your accuser is Moses, in whom you have put your hope.… John 5: 43-45
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