Jeremiah 34:1-7

Jeremiah 34:1-7

[1] The word  which came unto Jeremiah  from the LORD,  when Nebuchadnezzar  king  of Babylon,  and all his army,  and all the kingdoms  of the earth  of his dominion,  and all the people,  fought  against Jerusalem,  and against all the cities  thereof, saying,  [2] Thus saith  the LORD,  the God  of Israel;  Go  and speak  to Zedekiah  king  of Judah,  and tell  the LORD;  Behold, I will give  this city  into the hand  of the king  of Babylon,  and he shall burn  it with fire:  [3] And thou shalt not escape out  of his hand,  but shalt surely  and delivered  into his hand;  and thine eyes  shall behold  the eyes  of the king  of Babylon,  and he shall speak  with thee mouth  and thou shalt go  to Babylon.  [4] Yet hear  the word  of the LORD,  O Zedekiah  king  of Judah;  Thus saith  the LORD  of thee, Thou shalt not die  by the sword:  [5] But thou shalt die  in peace:  and with the burnings  of thy fathers,  the former  kings  which were before  thee, so shall they burn  odours for thee; and they will lament  thee, saying, Ah  lord!  for I have pronounced  the word,  saith  the LORD.  [6] Then Jeremiah  the prophet  spake  all these words  unto Zedekiah  king  of Judah  in Jerusalem,  [7] When the king  of Babylon's  army  fought  against Jerusalem,  and against all the cities  of Judah  that were left,  against Lachish,  and against Azekah:  for these defenced  cities  remained  of the cities  of Judah. 

What does Jeremiah 34:1-7 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

"The Book of Consolation has ended, and Jeremiah 34:1 confronts its readers with the full force of the invading imperial army. The destruction of Jerusalem and the remainder of Judah seems inevitable ( Jeremiah 34:3) because the LORD has made Nebuchadrezzar ruler over all the nations and because burning with fire is a fitting consequence for their deeds....
"This unit serves to direct the readers" attention to the issue of obedience to the LORD"s word as it is explored in Jeremiah 34:8-22 and chaps35-36." [1]