Giving is More Important Than Getting
June 5, 2026
Commentary
Jeremiah 37 records the persecution Jeremiah experienced during the reign of King Zedekiah (vv. 1–2). Like the kings before him, Zedekiah refused to obey God’s Word spoken through Jeremiah. Even so, the king asked Jeremiah to pray for the nation (v. 3). At that time, the Babylonian army withdrew from Jerusalem to fight against the Egyptians (vv. 4–5). Many people hoped this meant Jerusalem would be saved, but Jeremiah faithfully warned that Babylon would return and destroy the city (vv. 6–10). He told the king not to deceive himself by trusting circumstances instead of God’s message. Jeremiah continued speaking God’s truth, although the people stubbornly refused to listen.
During the temporary break in the siege, Jeremiah attempted to travel to the territory of Benjamin (vv. 11–12). However, a guard falsely accused him of deserting to the Babylonians (vv. 13–14). Even though Jeremiah denied the accusation, the officials be-came angry, beat him, and placed him in prison (vv. 15–16). Jeremiah suffered greatly for proclaiming God’s message. He was placed in a filthy dungeon where he remained for many days. Yet Jeremiah continued trusting the Lord during suffering and injustice. His difficult circumstances did not cause him to compromise the truth or surrender completely.
Later, King Zedekiah secretly sent for Jeremiah and asked if there was any word from the Lord (vv. 17–21). Jeremiah courageously answered that Jerusalem would still fall to Babylon and that the king himself would be handed over to the Babylonians. Even while imprisoned, Jeremiah remained faithful to speak God’s truth. Yet God calls His people to remain faithful and truthful regardless of the cost. True faithfulness is more important than comfort or approval from others.
Application
I am reminded that following God faithfully may sometimes bring rejection, misunderstanding, or hardship. Jeremiah continued to trust and obey God even when others ignored him and treated him unfairly. Am I willing to remain truthful when obedience becomes difficult? Will I trust God with discouraging circumstances?
Jeremiah 37:1–21 (NET)
1 Zedekiah son of Josiah succeeded Jeconiah son of Jehoiakim as king. He was elevated to the throne of the land of Judah by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. 2 Neither he nor the officials who served him nor the people of Judah paid any attention to what the Lord said through the prophet Jeremiah.
3 King Zedekiah sent Jehucal son of Shelemiah and the priest Zephaniah son of Maaseiah to the prophet Jeremiah to say, “Please pray to the Lord our God on our behalf.” 4 (Now Jeremiah had not yet been put in prison. So he was still free to come and go among the people as he pleased. 5 At that time the Babylonian forces had temporarily given up their siege against Jerusalem. They had had it under siege, but withdrew when they heard that the army of Pharaoh had set out from Egypt.) 6 The Lord’s message came to the prophet Jeremiah, 7 “This is what the Lord God of Israel has said, ‘This is what you must say to the king of Judah who sent you to seek my help. “Beware, Pharaoh’s army that was on its way to help you is about to go back home to Egypt. 8 Then the Babylonian forces will return. They will attack the city and will capture it and burn it down. 9 Moreover, I, the Lord, warn you not to deceive yourselves into thinking that the Babylonian forces will go away and leave you alone. For they will not go away. 10 For even if you were to defeat all the Babylonian forces fighting against you so badly that only wounded men were left lying in their tents, they would get up and burn this city down.”’”
11 The following events also occurred while the Babylonian forces had temporarily withdrawn from Jerusalem because the army of Pharaoh was coming. 12 Jeremiah started to leave Jerusalem to go to the territory of Benjamin. He wanted to make sure he got his share of the property that was being divided up among his family there. 13 But he only got as far as the Benjamin Gate. There an officer in charge of the guards named Irijah, who was the son of Shelemiah and the grandson of Hananiah, stopped him. He seized Jeremiah and said, “You are deserting to the Babylonians!” 14 Jeremiah answered, “That’s a lie! I am not deserting to the Babylonians.” But Irijah would not listen to him. Irijah put Jeremiah under arrest and took him to the officials. 15 The officials were very angry with Jeremiah. They had him flogged and put in prison in the house of Jonathan, the royal secretary, which they had converted into a place for confining prisoners.
16 So Jeremiah was put in prison in a cell in the dungeon in Jonathan’s house. He was kept there for a long time. 17 Then King Zedekiah had him brought to the palace. There he questioned him privately and asked him, “Is there any message from the Lord?” Jeremiah answered, “Yes, there is.” Then he announced, “You will be handed over to the king of Babylon.” 18 Then Jeremiah asked King Zedekiah, “What crime have I committed against you, or the officials who serve you, or the people of Judah? What have I done to make you people throw me into prison? 19 Where now are the prophets who prophesied to you that the king of Babylon would not attack you or this land? 20 But now please listen, your royal Majesty, and grant my plea for mercy. Do not send me back to the house of Jonathan, the royal secretary. If you do, I will die there.” 21 Then King Zedekiah ordered that Jeremiah be committed to the courtyard of the guardhouse. He also ordered that a loaf of bread be given to him every day from the bakers’ street until all the bread in the city was gone. So Jeremiah was kept in the courtyard of the guardhouse.