Jeremiah Chapter 21 — The Choice Between Life and Death
King Zedekiah asks Jeremiah to pray for Jerusalem's deliverance from Babylon, but God warns that He will fight against the city and urges the people to surrender to live.
1The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, when King Zedekiah sent to him Pashhur the son of Malchijah, and Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah, the priest, saying,
2“Please inquire of the LORD for us; for Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon makes war against us. Perhaps the LORD will deal with us according to all his wondrous works, that he may withdraw from us.”
3Then Jeremiah said to them, “Tell Zedekiah:
4‘The LORD, the God of Israel says, “Behold, I will turn back the weapons of war that are in your hands, with which you fight against the king of Babylon, and against the Chaldeans who besiege you outside the walls; and I will gather them into the middle of this city.
5I myself will fight against you with an outstretched hand and with a strong arm, even in anger, in wrath, and in great indignation.
6I will strike the inhabitants of this city, both man and animal. They will die of a great pestilence.
7Afterward,” says the LORD, “I will deliver Zedekiah king of Judah, his servants, and the people, even those who are left in this city from the pestilence, from the sword, and from the famine, into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of those who seek their life. He will strike them with the edge of the sword. He will not spare them, have pity, or have mercy.” ’
8“You shall say to this people, ‘The LORD says: “Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death.
9He who remains in this city will die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence, but he who goes out and passes over to the Chaldeans who besiege you, he will live, and he will escape with his life.
10For I have set my face on this city for evil, and not for good,” says the LORD. “It will be given into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he will burn it with fire.” ’
11“Concerning the house of the king of Judah, hear the LORD’s word:
12House of David, the LORD says,
13Behold, I am against you, O inhabitant of the valley,
14I will punish you according to the fruit of your doings,’ says the LORD;
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
Jeremiah 21:5
“I myself will fight against you with an outstretched hand and with a strong arm, even in anger, in wrath, and in great indignation.”
This verse is notable because it depicts God using the same power previously used to rescue Israel from Egypt to now execute judgment against them.
Jeremiah 21:8
“You shall say to this people, ‘The LORD says: “Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death.””
This verse highlights the moral and physical choice presented to the inhabitants of Jerusalem during the Babylonian siege.
Chapter Summary
Jeremiah Chapter 21 records a critical moment during the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem. King Zedekiah sends Pashhur and Zephaniah to the prophet Jeremiah, hoping for a miraculous deliverance similar to past events in Judah's history. However, the Lord’s response is one of judgment rather than rescue. God declares that He will turn the city's own weapons against them and personally fight against Jerusalem with an 'outstretched hand' and 'strong arm.' He warns that pestilence, famine, and the sword will devastate the inhabitants. The Lord then places a stark choice before the people: stay in the city and die, or surrender to the Chaldeans and live. This 'way of life and way of death' underscores the inevitability of the city's fall to King Nebuchadnezzar. Finally, the chapter addresses the royal house of David, commanding them to execute justice and deliver the oppressed, or face a fire of judgment because of their evil deeds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Zedekiah sent Pashhur and Zephaniah to Jeremiah to inquire if the Lord would perform a miracle to drive away Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian army. He hoped for a divine intervention similar to the 'wondrous works' God had done in the past.
Instead of promising deliverance, God stated He would fight against Jerusalem. He warned that the city's weapons would be turned inward, and it would be given into the hand of the King of Babylon to be burned with fire.
The 'way of life' described by Jeremiah was surrendering to the Chaldeans (Babylonians). Those who left the city and went over to the besiegers would be spared, while those who remained would face death by sword, famine, or pestilence.
The royal house is instructed to execute justice every morning and deliver the oppressed from their spoilers. The text warns that if they do not act justly, God's fury will break out like an unquenchable fire because of their evil doings.
Study Note
The reference to God's 'outstretched hand' in verse 5 ironically mirrors the language used during the Exodus, but here it signifies divine judgment rather than rescue.
Related Chapters
The Fall of Jerusalem
Provides the historical fulfillment of the siege and destruction prophesied in Jeremiah 21.
Life and Death
Connects the theme of choosing life or death to the Mosaic covenant found in the Torah.
Jeremiah's Counsel
Shows how Jeremiah continued to advise surrender as the only way to survive the Babylonian invasion.
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