Jeremiah 21, I Am Against You (DRAFT)

(This DRAFT study has been done fairly quickly, without the further guide of commentaries. I hope to improve on it later.)

Jeremiah 21:1-6, YHWH will fight against you

The word came to Jeremiah from the LORD when King Zedekiah sent to him Pashhur son of Malkijah and the priest Zephaniah son of Maaseiah. They said: "Inquire now of the LORD for us because Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon is attacking us. Perhaps the LORD will perform wonders for us as in times past so that he will withdraw from us." 

But Jeremiah answered them, "Tell Zedekiah,`This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: I am about to turn against you the weapons of war that are in your hands, which you are using to fight the king of Babylon and the Babylonians who are outside the wall besieging you. And I will gather them inside this city. 

I myself will fight against you with an outstretched hand and a mighty arm in anger and fury and great wrath. I will strike down those who live in this city--both men and animals--and they will die of a terrible plague. 

"A mighty hand and an outstretched arm" is an Old Testament phrase describing God's power over the nations. Versions of it occur throughout the exodus (eg. Exodus 6:6) and often appears in a shortened form such as "mighty hand" in Exodus 3:19. In later writings it often alludes to God's action during the exodus (eg. Psalm 136:12.) Carmen Imes argues that this echoes a phrase Egyptian pharaohs used and when Moses confronted the Pharaoh in Egypt, it made it clear that YHWH was much more powerful than the hand and arm of the Pharaoh.

From Mosaic Magazine, the Pharaoh's outstretched arm

Jeremiah 21:7, Zedekiah handed over

After that, declares the LORD, I will hand over Zedekiah king of Judah, his officials and the people in this city who survive the plague, sword and famine, to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and to their enemies who seek their lives. He will put them to the sword; he will show them no mercy or pity or compassion.' 

When Jerusalem is destroyed, Zedekiah will be taken captive and the leaders killed.

Jeremiah 21:8-10, Life or death

"Furthermore, tell the people, `This is what the LORD says: See, I am setting before you the way of life and the way of death. Whoever stays in this city will die by the sword, famine or plague. But whoever goes out and surrenders to the Babylonians who are besieging you will live; he will escape with his life. 

I have determined to do this city harm and not good, declares the LORD. It will be given into the hands of the king of Babylon, and he will destroy it with fire.' 

Nebuchadnezzar is going to win, says Jeremiah. Go out and surrender to him or stay inside the city and die. This is a very difficult message, as it is treasonous to Zedekiah.

Jeremiah 21:11-14, I am against you

"Moreover, say to the royal house of Judah, `Hear the word of the LORD; 

O house of David, this is what the LORD says: 

"`Administer justice every morning; 

rescue from the hand of his oppressor

 the one who has been robbed, 

or my wrath will break out 

and burn like fire because of the evil you have done-- 

burn with no one to quench it. 

I am against you, [Jerusalem,] 

you who live above this valley on the rocky plateau, 

declares the LORD--

 you who say, "Who can come against us? 

Who can enter our refuge?" 

I will punish you as your deeds deserve, 

declares the LORD. 

I will kindle a fire in your forests

that will consume everything around you.'" 

Jeremiah's message to the king and his house is that YHWH has turned against them. They are to administer justice and rescue the oppressed, or God's wrath will break out. (But God is convinced thast they won't do that, and so He plans to destroy Judah.