Wishy-Washy

O. T. #1807  "Wishy-Washy"

Oct. 26, 2020

Jeremiah 37-Part 2

LET IT GLOW

Are we one way when we are around believers and another way around others? How about our talk and actions? Are we wishy-washy in our behavior like Judah's king? Find out what is meant by reading further.

Now, King Zedekiah was wishy-washy by nature. He seemed to know in his heart that Jeremiah was speaking the truth from God. However, he was led by the whims of the evil princes who had previously come into power. There were several significant things which happened:

First, the king sent a priest to Jeremiah requesting, Pray now unto the LORD our God for us. (verse 3)

The Word of the LORD, God of Israel come to Jeremiah saying:

*Pharaoh's army return to Egypt, though they came to help Judah.

*Don't fool yourself into thinking the Babylonians are gone for good, for they aren't.

*They will take the city of Jerusalem and burn it with fire.

We know this did occur as the Lord had warned King Zedekiah. (verse 11) Actually, the king, his officials, and the people of Judah did not want to listen to Jeremiah, but they wanted the blessings of his prayers. Know anyone like that? Didn't they want a superficial religion that wouldn't cost them anything? Hmm. God wants a relationship with us, not just giving us what we need.

 

LET IT GROW

What was Jeremiah's reply, after his scroll had been burned? The Lord's message was the same, for Judah and the king to surrender to Babylon.

So before the Babylonian army returned, Jeremiah decided to leave and go to the land of Benjamin, perhaps to claim his share of the property among his relatives there. But, as he was leaving the city gate, an officer arrested him for treason, which was a false accusation. Jeremiah was beaten and put in a dungeon ( a pit hole; cistern), remaining there many days. (verses 11-16)

Falwell described this unsanitary dungeon as a waterless cistern, where they let Jeremiah down into by cords to a bottomless pit, so he sank into the mire and left to starve to death.(We find out more detail in the next chapter.)

Then Zedekiah sent for Jeremiah secretly. The king asked Jeremiah if there was a word from the Lord.

  You know, Jeremiah could have had enough and gone home, but he didn't. He could have lied and told the king everything was going to be fine, but he didn't. Jeremiah told the king the truth-thou shalt be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon. (verse 17) Jeremiah knew this was not what the king wanted to hear, but he took the opportunity to ask for better treatment. He wanted to know two things: what crime he had done to the king and the people; where were the king's prophets that told him Babylon would  not attack him their land? Also, Jeremiah asked the king to not send him back into dungeon, for he would die. (verses 18-19)

King Zedekiah did want to hear from the Lord. We have to give him credit for that. Although, he teetered between surrender and resistance. He was too weak a person for he met secretly with the Prophet. He hoped for some better news from God. How desperate he was. The king feared the political ramifications of being caught talking to Jeremiah. (Life Application Study Bible)

How did this chapter end? King Zedekiah sent Jeremiah into a different prison and ordered him to be fed a piece of bread.  

LET IT GO

As we hear from Your Word, God, may we be faithful to obey.

Help us not be wishy-washy, influenced by others, but to stand for Jesus.