God is Not Some Kind of Genie
March 31, 2021
Commentary
As Babylon surrounded Jerusalem, King Zedekiah sent messengers to Jeremiah asking him to pray for God’s help (vv. 1–2). However, Zedekiah’s request did not come from true repentance or a desire to obey God. He wanted deliverance from judgment without changing his sinful heart. God answered through Jeremiah that He would not help Jerusalem but would allow Babylon to defeat the city (vv. 3–7). In fact, God declared that the weapons Judah used for defense would be turned against them. This passage reminds us that God is sovereign and cannot be treated like someone we call only when we want to escape from consequences. God responds according to His will.
God set before the people two choices: the way of life and the way of death (vv. 8–10). Those who remained in Jerusalem would die by sword, famine, and disease because God had determined that the city would fall. Those who surrendered to Babylon would live. Though difficult, surrender was the only path of survival because God’s judgment had already been determined. Even during judgment, God still provided a way for people to live if they would humbly obey His instruction. God still calls us today to faithfully obey Him.
Jeremiah then spoke directly to the royal family of Judah and exposed their sinful pride and disobedience (vv. 11–14). The leaders refused to seek God sincerely or obey His commands. Instead, they trusted in their own strength and false security. Because of their rebellion, God promised judgment upon the king, the palace, and the city itself. This chapter teaches us that God desires genuine repentance and obedience, not prayers spoken only during times of trouble. True faith humbly submits to God’s will and trusts His wisdom completely.
Application
I ask myself if I only pray when I need help or also when I need obedience. Do I trust God’s will even when it is difficult or uncomfortable? Am I willing to surrender my plans instead of holding onto control? Have I truly repented, or am I just asking God to fix consequences? Am I choosing to obey God fully and trust His direction?
Jeremiah 21:1–14 (NET)
1 The Lord spoke to Jeremiah when King Zedekiah sent to him Pashhur son of Malkijah and the priest Zephaniah son of Maaseiah. Zedekiah sent them to Jeremiah to ask, 2 “Please ask the Lord to come and help us, because King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon is attacking us. Maybe the Lord will perform one of his miracles as in times past and make him stop attacking us and leave.” 3 Jeremiah answered them, “Tell Zedekiah 4 that the Lord, the God of Israel, says, ‘The forces at your disposal are now outside the walls fighting against King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon and the Babylonians who have you under siege. I will gather those forces back inside the city. 5 In anger, in fury, and in wrath I myself will fight against you with my mighty power and great strength. 6 I will kill everything living in Jerusalem, people and animals alike. They will die from terrible diseases. 7 Then I, the Lord, promise that I will hand over King Zedekiah of Judah, his officials, and any of the people who survive the war, starvation, and disease. I will hand them over to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon and to their enemies who want to kill them. He will slaughter them with the sword. He will not show them any mercy, compassion, or pity.’
8 “But tell the people of Jerusalem that the Lord says, ‘I will give you a choice between two courses of action. One will result in life; the other will result in death. 9 Those who stay in this city will die in battle or of starvation or disease. Those who leave the city and surrender to the Babylonians who are besieging it will live. They will escape with their lives. 10 For I, the Lord, say that I am determined not to deliver this city but to bring disaster on it. It will be handed over to the king of Babylon and he will destroy it with fire.’”
11 The Lord told me to say to the royal court of Judah: “Listen to the Lord’s message,
12 O royal family descended from David. The Lord says: ‘See to it that people each day are judged fairly. Deliver those who have been robbed from those who oppress them. Otherwise, my wrath will blaze out against you. It will burn like a fire that cannot be put out because of the evil that you have done.
13 Listen, you who sit enthroned above the valley on a rocky plateau. I am opposed to you,’ says the Lord. ‘You boast, “No one can swoop down on us. No one can penetrate into our places of refuge.”
14 But I will punish you as your deeds deserve,’ says the Lord. ‘I will set fire to your palace; it will burn up everything around it.’”
A Morning Prayer For Help
“A Morning Prayer for Help” – note that I said “morning"! “Dear God, so far today I’ve done alright, I haven’t gossiped, lost my temper, been nasty, selfish or over indulgent. But in a few minutes God … Continue