THE FALL OF JERUSALEM AND ITS AFTERMATH EBED...

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THE FALL OF JERUSALEM AND ITS AFTERMATH

EBED MELECH IS PROMISED DELIVERANCE

BECAUSE OF HIS FAITH

JEREMIAH 38:28b

JEREMIAH 39:1-18

Landmark Publications, Inc., 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN., 37216, U.S.A. John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor


THE FALL OF JERUSALEM AND ITS AFTERMATH

Ebed Melech Is Promised Deliverance Because of His Faith

Commentary

Text:

Jeremiah 38:28, The following events occurred when Jerusalem was captured. (NET)

Jeremiah 39:1-18, 1. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came against Jerusalem with his whole army and laid siege to it. The siege began in the tenth month of the ninth year that Zedekiah ruled over Judah. 2. It lasted until the ninth day of the fourth month of Zedekiah’s eleventh year. On that day they broke through the city walls. 3. Then Nergal-Sharezer of Samgar, Nebo-Sarsekim, who was a chief officer, Nergal-Sharezer, who was a high official, and all the other officers of the king of Babylon came and set up quarters in the Middle Gate. 4. When King Zedekiah of Judah and all his soldiers saw them, they tried to escape. They departed from the city during the night. They took a path through the king’s garden and passed out through the gate between the two walls. Then they headed for the Jordan Valley. 5. But the Babylonian army chased after them. They caught up with Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho and captured him. They took him



to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon at Riblah in the territory of Hamath and Nebuchadnezzar passed sentence on him there. 6. There at Riblah the king of Babylon had Zedekiah’s sons put to death while Zedekiah was forced to watch. The king of Babylon also had all the nobles of Judah put to death. 7. Then he had Zedekiah’s eyes put out and had him bound in chains to be led off to Babylon. 8. The Babylonians burned down the royal palace, the temple of the Lord, and the people’s homes, and they tore down the wall of Jerusalem. 9. Then Nebuzaradan, the captain of the royal guard, took captive the rest of the people who were left in the city. He carried them off to Babylon along with the people who had deserted to him. 10. But he left behind in the land of Judah some of the poor people who owned nothing. He gave them fields and vineyards at that time. 11. Now King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had issued orders concerning Jeremiah. He had passed them on through Nebuzaradan, the captain of his royal guard, 12. “Find Jeremiah and look out for him. Do not do anything to harm him, but do with him whatever he tells you.” 13. So Nebuzaradan, the captain of the royal guard, Nebushazban, who was a chief officer, Nergal-Sharezer, who was a high official, and all the other officers of the king of Babylon 14. sent and had Jeremiah brought from the courtyard of the guardhouse. They turned him over to Gedaliah, the son of Ahikam and the grandson of Shaphan, to take him home with him. But Jeremiah stayed among the people. 15. Now the Lord had spoken to Jeremiah while he was still confined in the courtyard of the guardhouse,



16. “Go and tell Ebed-Melech the Ethiopian, ‘The Lord God of Israel who rules over all says, “I will carry out against this city what I promised. It will mean disaster and not good fortune for it. When that disaster happens, you will be there to see it. 17. But I will rescue you when it happens. I, the Lord, affirm it! You will not be handed over to those whom you fear. 18. I will certainly save you. You will not fall victim to violence. You will escape with your life because you trust in me. I, the Lord, affirm it!”’” (NET) Introduction: I. What Jeremiah prophesied now takes place exactly as he had foretold. This is as expected because Jeremiah proclaims precisely what God had told him to say. (See Hamilton.)

A. The fall of Jerusalem is recorded in four Biblical references; viz,… (See Coffman.)

1. Jeremiah 39:1-18 2. Jeremiah 52:4-16, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came against Jerusalem with his whole army and set up camp outside it. They built siege ramps all around it. He arrived on the tenth day of the tenth month in the ninth year that Zedekiah ruled over Judah. The city remained under siege until Zedekiah’s eleventh year. By the ninth day of the fourth month the famine in the city was so severe the residents had no food. They broke through the city walls, and all the soldiers tried to escape. They left the city during the night. They went through the gate between the two walls that is near the king’s garden. (The Babylonians had the city surrounded.) Then they headed



for the Jordan Valley. But the Babylonian army chased after the king. They caught up with Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho, and his entire army deserted him. They captured him and brought him up to the king of Babylon at Riblah in the territory of Hamath and he passed sentence on him there. The king of Babylon had Zedekiah’s sons put to death while Zedekiah was forced to watch. He also had all the nobles of Judah put to death there at Riblah. He had Zedekiah’s eyes put out and had him bound in chains. Then the king of Babylon had him led off to Babylon and he was imprisoned there until the day he died. On the tenth day of the fifth month, in the nineteenth year of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, Nebuzaradan, the captain of the royal guard who served the king of Babylon, arrived in Jerusalem. He burned down the Lord’s temple, the royal palace, and all the houses in Jerusalem, including every large house. The whole Babylonian army that came with the captain of the royal guard tore down the walls that surrounded Jerusalem. Nebuzaradan, the captain of the royal guard, took into exile some of the poor, the rest of the people who remained in the city, those who had deserted to him, and the rest of the craftsmen. But he left behind some of the poor and gave them fields and vineyards. (NET) 3. 2 Kings 25:1-21, So King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came against Jerusalem with his whole army and set up camp outside it. They built siege ramps all around it. He arrived on the tenth day of the tenth month in the ninth year of Zedekiah’s reign. The city remained under siege until King Zedekiah’s eleventh year. By the ninth day of the fourth month the famine in the city was so severe the residents had no food. The enemy broke through the city walls, and all the soldiers tried to escape. They left the



city during the night. They went through the gate between the two walls that is near the king’s garden. (The Babylonians were all around the city.) Then they headed for the Jordan Valley. But the Babylonian army chased after the king. They caught up with him in the plains of Jericho, and his entire army deserted him. They captured the king and brought him up to the king of Babylon at Riblah, where he passed sentence on him. Zedekiah’s sons were executed while Zedekiah was forced to watch. The king of Babylon then had Zedekiah’s eyes put out, bound him in bronze chains, and carried him off to Babylon. On the seventh day of the fifth month, in the nineteenth year of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, Nebuzaradan, the captain of the royal guard who served the king of Babylon, arrived in Jerusalem. He burned down the Lord’s temple, the royal palace, and all the houses in Jerusalem, including every large house. The whole Babylonian army that came with the captain of the royal guard tore down the walls that surrounded Jerusalem. Nebuzaradan, the captain of the royal guard, deported the rest of the people who were left in the city, those who had deserted to the king of Babylon, and the rest of the craftsmen. But he left behind some of the poor of the land and gave them fields and vineyards. The Babylonians broke the two bronze pillars in the Lord’s temple, as well as the movable stands and the big bronze basin called “The Sea.” They took the bronze to Babylon. They also took the pots, shovels, trimming shears, pans, and all the bronze utensils used by the priests. The captain of the royal guard took the golden and silver censers and basins. The bronze of the items that King Solomon made for the Lord’s temple—including the two pillars, the big bronze basin called “The Sea,” the twelve bronze bulls under “The Sea,” and the movable stands—was too heavy to be



weighed. Each of the pillars was about twenty-seven feet high. The bronze top of one pillar was about four and a half feet high and had bronze latticework and pomegranate shaped ornaments all around it. The second pillar with its latticework was like it. The captain of the royal guard took Seraiah the chief priest and Zephaniah, the priest who was second in rank, and the three doorkeepers. From the city he took a eunuch who was in charge of the soldiers, five of the king’s advisers who were discovered in the city, an official army secretary who drafted citizens for military service, and sixty citizens from the people of the land who were discovered in the city. Nebuzaradan, captain of the royal guard, took them and brought them to the king of Babylon at Riblah. The king of Babylon ordered them to be executed at Riblah in the territory of Hamath. So Judah was deported from its land. (NET) 4. 2 Chronicles 36:15-21, The Lord God of their ancestors continually warned them through his messengers, for he felt compassion for his people and his dwelling place. But they mocked God’s messengers, despised his warnings, and ridiculed his prophets. Finally the Lord got very angry at his people and there was no one who could prevent his judgment. He brought against them the king of the Babylonians, who slaughtered their young men in their temple. He did not spare young men or women, or even the old and aging. God handed everyone over to him. He carried away to Babylon all the items in God’s temple, whether large or small, as well as what was in the treasuries of the Lord’s temple and in the treasuries of the king and his officials. They burned down the Lord’s temple and tore down the wall of Jerusalem. They burned all its fortified buildings and destroyed all its valuable



items. He deported to Babylon all who escaped the sword. They served him and his sons until the Persian kingdom rose to power. This took place to fulfill the Lord’s message delivered through Jeremiah. The land experienced its sabbatical years; it remained desolate for seventy years, as prophesied. (NET)

NOTE: Observe the similarities between Jeremiah 52:4-16 and 2 Kings 25:1-21. II. “The purpose of this chapter,” Smith wrote, “is to underscore the fact that Jeremiah was indeed a true prophet of God. All he had predicted about the city came to pass.”

A. Jeremiah and other prophets of God had foretold the destruction of Jerusalem. B. False prophets had consistently refused to believe the destruction of the temple, the holy city and the Davidic dynasty would occur.

1. The people in Jerusalem believed the false prophets and were destroyed by sword, famine and disease / pestilence.

Commentary:

The Fall of Jerusalem and Its Aftermath

Jeremiah 38:28b, The following events occurred when Jerusalem was captured. (NET)

I. The following events occurred when Jerusalem was captured. *

A. * NET Footnote: The precise meaning of this line is uncertain; it is not included in a few Hebrew manuscripts, LXX, and Syriac.



Jeremiah 39:1, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came against Jerusalem with his whole army and laid siege to it. The siege began in the tenth month of the ninth year that Zedekiah ruled over Judah. (NET)

I. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came against Jerusalem with his whole army and laid siege to it.

A. Nebuchadnezzar was king of the Neo-Babylonian Empire from 605 to 562 B.C.

1. The Babylonian siege of Jerusalem began in January 588 B.C. (587 B.C., Smith) and lasted until July 587 B.C. (586 B.C., Smith) with a brief interlude, probably in the summer of 588 B.C., to deal with the Egyptian incursion. (See Hamilton.)

2. The siege lasted exactly eighteen months minus one day. (See Coffman.)

II. The siege began in the tenth month of the ninth year that Zedekiah ruled over Judah.

A. Clarke wrote that this tenth month of the ninth year Zedekiah ruled was called Tebeth. It began with the first new moon of our January and it was on the tenth day of this month that Nebuchadnezzar laid siege to Jerusalem.

Jeremiah 39:2, It lasted until the ninth day of the fourth month of Zedekiah’s eleventh year. On that day they broke through the city walls. (NET)

I. It lasted until the ninth day of the fourth month of Zedekiah’s eleventh year.



A. This date was the ninth day of the Jewish month of Av. Clarke advised, “This month in the Hebrew calendar is called Thammuz, and commences with the first new moon of our July.”

1. The Hebrews followed a lunar calendar while we follow a solar calendar.

B. “The siege had lasted just eighteen months,” Clarke advised.

II. On that day they broke through the city walls.

A. Jerusalem fell to the Babylonians in 586 B.C.

Jeremiah 39:3, Then Nergal-Sharezer of Samgar, Nebo-Sarsekim, who was a chief officer, Nergal-Sharezer, who was a high official, and all the other officers of the king of Babylon came and set up quarters in the Middle Gate. (NET)

I. Then Nergal-Sharezer of Samgar, Nebo-Sarsekim, who was a chief officer, Nergal-Sharezer, who was a high official, and all the other officers of the king of Babylon came and set up quarters in the Middle Gate. *

A. * NET Footnote: The location and identification of this gate is uncertain; it is mentioned nowhere else in the Old Testament.

B. Notice the reading of Jeremiah 39:3 as found in the New King James Version: “Then all the prices of the king of Babylon came in and sat in the Middle Gate: Nergal-Sharezer, Samger-Nebo, Sarsechim, Rabsaris, Nergal-Sarezer, Rabmag, with the rest of the princes of the king of Babylon.”

C. Nergal-Sharezer (Nergel-Sarezer) was a Babylonian officer who released Jeremiah from prison. He had the title of Rabmag which means he was a high ranking official with military authority, a commander or general. (Nelson’s new Illustrated Bible Dictionary)



D. Samgar (Samgar-Nebo) was one of the Babylonian officers who participated in the siege and capture of Jerusalem. He entered the city when it was captured and took his seat with other Babylonian nobles at the Middle Gate. (Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary)

E. Nebo-Sarsekim (Sarsechim) was a high ranking Babylonian who upon the capture of Jerusalem, took his seat at the Middle Gate along with other Babylonian officials. (Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary)

F. Robsaris is a title meaning “chief official, chief officer.” This title or its equivalent is found in the following references: (See Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary.)

1. 2 Kings 18:17, The king of Assyria sent his commanding general, the chief eunuch, and the chief adviser from Lachish to King Hezekiah in Jerusalem, along with a large army. They went up and arrived at Jerusalem. They went and stood at the conduit of the upper pool which is located on the road to the field where they wash and dry cloth. (NET)

2. Jeremiah 39:3, Then Nergal-Sharezer of Samgar, Nebo-Sarsekim, who was a chief officer, Nergal-Sharezer, who was a high official, and all the other officers of the king of Babylon came and set up quarters in the Middle Gate. (NET)

3. Daniel 1:3, The king commanded Ashpenaz, who was in charge of his court officials, to choose some of the Israelites who were of royal and noble descent— (NET)

G. The Babylonians set up their administrative command post in the city’s principle gate, the Middle Gate. The war was over. (See Coffman.)



H. Clarke explained that Jerusalem stood upon two hills, Sion to the south and Aera to the north with a deep valley between them. The gate of the center was a gate of communication in the middle of the valley, between the two parts of the city, sometimes called the higher and lower city. The Chaldeans breached the wall on the north, rushed into the city and took charge of the middle gate in the center of the city thereby taking control of the entire city.

1. The Middle Gate commanded the temple and the citadel. (The Pulpit Commentary.)

I. In regard to the principal commanders listed above, there may have been three persons rather than six as the name that follows each is a title of office. (Blayney via Clarke.)

1. Nergal-sharezer (Samgar)

2. Nebu-sarsechim (Rab-saris)

3. Nergal-sharezer (Rab-mag)

NOTE: Nergal-sharezer is mentioned twice, one of which may have been Nebuzardan or some other commander. The duplication is likely due to a scribal error.

J. The Pulpit Commentary wrote, “The princes are four in number, and two of them have official titles.”

Jeremiah 39:4, When King Zedekiah of Judah and all his soldiers saw them, they tried to escape. They departed from the city during the night. They took a path through the king’s garden and passed out through the gate between the two walls. Then they headed for the Jordan Valley.. (NET)

I. When King Zedekiah of Judah and all his soldiers saw them, they tried to escape.



A. Zedekiah was the last king to rule in Jerusalem prior to the fall of the city to the Babylonians. He was king when the city fell to the Babylonians.

B. He and his officials saw the hopeless situation they faced and tried to escape, but they didn’t get very far.

II. They departed from the city during the night.

A. “They crossed the Kidron Valley on the east side of the city and fled toward the Jordan Valley,” Hamilton wrote.

III. They took a path through the king’s garden and passed out through the gate between the two walls.

A. Coffman wrote that the exact escape route cannot be traced. Nothing is known of the exact location of the king’s garden or the gate by which he escaped.

B. Clarke mentioned that two roads led from Jerusalem to Jericho, one led over the Mount of Olives and allowed only a slow rate of speed, the other was the way of the plain which permitted a faster speed.

C. Where could Zedekiah have gone for political asylum? Perhaps to Egypt. (See Clarke.)

IV. Then they headed for the Jordan Valley. *

A. * NET Footnote: Hebrew – headed toward the Arabah (the rift valley north and south of the Dead Sea.)

Jeremiah 39:5, But the Babylonian army chased after them. They caught up with Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho and captured him. They took him to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon at Riblah in the territory of Hamath and Nebuchadnezzar passed sentence on him there. (NET)



I. But the Babylonian army* chased after them. They caught up with Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho and captured him.

A. *NET Footnote: Hebrew – the Chaldeans (also in verse 8 and 40:9-10).

1. The “plains of Jericho” are the Arabah. (See Smith.)

II. They took him to king Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon at Riblah* in the territory of Hamath and Nebuchadnezzar passed sentence on him there.

A. *NET Footnote: Riblah was a strategic town on the Orontes River in Syria.

B. Riblah was located in the land of Hamath approximately sixty-five (65) miles north of Damascus. Riblah was Nebuchadnezzar’s stronghold, command post. Riblah was easy to defend because of its geographical features and was strategically located on the main route from Egypt to the Euphrates. (Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary)

1. Riblah was located thirty-five (35) miles north-east of Baalbeck.

2. The area around Riblah provided abundant fuel and food. (Coffman)

3. Pharaoh – Necho II had also used Riblah as his field headquarters. (Coffman)

4. Riblah was located some two hundred (200) miles north and east of Jerusalem. (Coffman)

C. The victorious Babylonians, especially their officers, are vividly contrasted with the agonizing humiliation of Zedekiah and Jerusalem’s previous officials.



Jeremiah 39:6, There at Riblah the king of Babylon had Zedekiah’s sons put to death while Zedekiah was forced to watch. The king of Babylon also had all the nobles of Judah put to death. (NET)

I. There at Riblah the king of Babylon had Zedekiah’s sons put to death while Zedekiah was forced to watch.

A. This was certainly cruel punishment, but customary for that age.

1. Zedekiah had caused Nebuchadnezzar much trouble. Now it was payback time!

a. Jeremiah 32:4, King Zedekiah of Judah will not escape from the Babylonians. He will certainly be handed over to the king of Babylon. He must answer personally to the king of Babylon and confront him face to face. (NET)

b. Jeremiah 38:17, 23, Then Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, “The Lord, the God who rules over all, the God of Israel, says, ‘You must surrender to the officers of the king of Babylon. If you do, your life will be spared and this city will not be burned down. Indeed, you and your whole family will be spared. 23 “All your wives and your children will be turned over to the Babylonians. You yourself will not escape from them but will be captured by the king of Babylon. This city will be burned down.” (NET)

II. The king of Babylon also had all the nobles of Judah put to death.

A. Wonder if Shephatiah, Gedaliah, Jehucal and Pashhur were included in this group?

1. Jeremiah 38:1, 4, Now Shephatiah son of Mattan, Gedaliah son of Pashhur, Jehucal son of Shelemiah, and



Pashhur son of Malkijah had heard the things that Jeremiah had been telling the people. They had heard him say, 4 So these officials said to the king, “This man must be put to death. For he is demoralizing the soldiers who are left in the city as well as all the other people there by these things he is saying. This man is not seeking to help these people but is trying to harm them.” (NET)

Jeremiah 39:7, Then he had Zedekiah’s eyes put out and had him bound in chains to be led off to Babylon. (NET)

I. Then he had Zedekiah’s eyes put out and had him bound in chains to be led off to Babylon.

A. Zedekiah, as Ezekiel had foretold, did not “see” Babylon. That was because he was blind. However, he certainly did go to Babylon as Jeremiah had foretold.

1. Zedekiah’s eyes were dug, gouged out. Sometimes prisoners were blinded by a red hot iron rod.

B. About now Zedekiah probably wished he had followed Jeremiah’s advice. What do you think? When we get to death’s door, we will probably wish we had followed Jesus’ advice. Again, what do you think?

C. Smith wrote, “He (Zedekiah) was then bound with fetters of bronze and led away to Babylon.”

1. Clarke stated he was bound hands and feet.

2. Zedekiah remained a prisoner in Babylon until the day of his death. (Coffman.)

a. Jeremiah 52:11, He had Zedekiah’s eyes put out and had him bound in chains. Then the king of



Babylon had him led off to Babylon and he was imprisoned there until the day he died. (NET)

D. With every step of the long journey to Babylon, Zedekiah could well have “heard” Jeremiah as it were say, “I told you so! I told you so! I told you so!”

Jeremiah 39:8, The Babylonians burned down the royal palace, the temple of the Lord, and the people’s homes, and they tore down the wall of Jerusalem. (NET)

I. The Babylonians burned down the royal palace, the temple of the LORD, and the people’s homes, and they tore down the wall of Jerusalem.

A. The once great city of Jerusalem was reduced to rubble.

1. Nehemiah 2:11-17, So I came to Jerusalem. When I had been there for three days, I got up during the night, along with a few men who were with me. But I did not tell anyone what my God was putting on my heart to do for Jerusalem. There were no animals with me, except for the one I was riding. I proceeded through the Valley Gate by night, in the direction of the Well of the Dragons and the Dung Gate, inspecting the walls of Jerusalem that had been breached and its gates that had been destroyed by fire. I passed on to the Gate of the Well and the King’s Pool, where there was not enough room for my animal to pass with me. I continued up the valley during the night, inspecting the wall. Then I turned back and came to the Valley Gate, and so returned. The officials did not know where I had gone or what I had been doing, for up to this point I had not told any of the Jews or the priests or the nobles or the officials or the rest of the workers. Then I said to them, “You see the problem that we have: Jerusalem is desolate and its gates are burned. Come on!



Let’s rebuild the wall of Jerusalem so that this reproach will not continue.” (NET)

2. Jeremiah 21:10, For I, the Lord, say that I am determined not to deliver this city but to bring disaster on it. It will be handed over to the king of Babylon and he will destroy it with fire.’” (NET)

3. Jeremiah 37:10, 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.”’” (NET)

4. Jeremiah 38:18, 23, But if you do not surrender to the officers of the king of Babylon, this city will be handed over to the Babylonians and they will burn it down. You yourself will not escape from them.’” 23 “All your wives and your children will be turned over to the Babylonians. You yourself will not escape from them but will be captured by the king of Babylon. This city will be burned down.” (NET)

5. Jeremiah 52:13, He burned down the Lord’s temple, the royal palace, and all the houses in Jerusalem, including every large house. (NET)

Jeremiah 39:9, Then Nebuzaradan, the captain of the royal guard, took captive the rest of the people who were left in the city. He carried them off to Babylon along with the people who had deserted to him. (NET)

I. Then Nebuzaradan, the captain of the royal guard, took captive the rest of the people who were left in the city.

A. Nebuzaradan was the captain of Nebuchadnezzar’s bodyguard. When Jerusalem fell to the Babylonians, Nebuzaradan came to the



city and took charge of destroying it. He was charged by Nebuchadnezzar with showing kindness to Jeremiah. He gave Jeremiah the choice of remaining in Jerusalem or going to Babylon. (Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary)

1. 2 Kings 25:1-11, So King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came against Jerusalem with his whole army and set up camp outside it. They built siege ramps all around it. He arrived on the tenth day of the tenth month in the ninth year of Zedekiah’s reign. The city remained under siege until King Zedekiah’s eleventh year. By the ninth day of the fourth month the famine in the city was so severe the residents had no food. The enemy broke through the city walls, and all the soldiers tried to escape. They left the city during the night. They went through the gate between the two walls that is near the king’s garden. (The Babylonians were all around the city.) Then they headed for the Jordan Valley. But the Babylonian army chased after the king. They caught up with him in the plains of Jericho, and his entire army deserted him. They captured the king and brought him up to the king of Babylon at Riblah, where he passed sentence on him. Zedekiah’s sons were executed while Zedekiah was forced to watch. The king of Babylon then had Zedekiah’s eyes put out, bound him in bronze chains, and carried him off to Babylon. On the seventh day of the fifth month, in the nineteenth year of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, Nebuzaradan, the captain of the royal guard who served the king of Babylon, arrived in Jerusalem. He burned down the Lord’s temple, the royal palace, and all the houses in Jerusalem, including every large house. The whole Babylonian army that came with the captain of the royal guard tore down the walls that surrounded Jerusalem. Nebuzaradan, the captain of the royal guard, deported the rest of the people who were left in the city, those who



had deserted to the king of Babylon, and the rest of the craftsmen. (NET)

2. Jeremiah 39:11, Now King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had issued orders concerning Jeremiah. He had passed them on through Nebuzaradan, the captain of his royal guard, (NET)

3. Jeremiah 40:1-4, The Lord spoke to Jeremiah after Nebuzaradan the captain of the royal guard had set him free at Ramah. He had taken him there in chains along with all the people from Jerusalem and Judah who were being carried off to exile to Babylon. The captain of the royal guard took Jeremiah aside and said to him, “The Lord your God threatened this place with this disaster. Now he has brought it about. The Lord has done just as he threatened to do. This disaster has happened because you people sinned against the Lord and did not obey him. But now, Jeremiah, today I will set you free from the chains on your wrists. If you would like to come to Babylon with me, come along and I will take care of you. But if you prefer not to come to Babylon with me, you are not required to do so. You are free to go anywhere in the land you want to go. Go wherever you choose.” (NET)

B. Hamilton noted Nebuzaradan arrived in Jerusalem a month after the walls fell.

1. Jeremiah 52:12, On the tenth day of the fifth month, in the nineteenth year of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, Nebuzaradan, the captain of the royal guard who served the king of Babylon, arrived in Jerusalem. (NET)

C. The rest of the people (craftsmen) were also taken as captives to Babylon.



1. Jeremiah 52:15, Nebuzaradan, the captain of the royal guard, took into exile some of the poor, the rest of the people who remained in the city, those who had deserted to him, and the rest of the craftsmen. (NET)

II. He carried them off to Babylon along with the people who had deserted to him.

A. Nebuchadnezzar carried to Babylon all the people except for the poorest along with those who had previously deserted to the Babylonians.

1. We are left to wonder if those who had surrendered, defected to the Babylonians were given preferential treatment.

Jeremiah 39:10, But he left behind in the land of Judah some of the poor people who owned nothing. He gave them fields and vineyards at that time. (NET)

I. But he left behind in the land of Judah some of the poor people who owned nothing. He gave them fields and vineyards at that time.

A. The status of these poor and landless people was now greatly improved. They were now owners of fields and vineyards.

Jeremiah 39:11, Now King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had issued orders concerning Jeremiah. He had passed them on through Nebuzaradan, the captain of his royal guard, (NET)

I. Now King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had issued orders concerning Jeremiah.

A. King Nebuchadnezzar knew of Jeremiah’s prophecies and treated him with special consideration.



II. He had passed his orders on through Nebuzaradan, the captain of his royal guard,…

A. Nebuchadnezzar gave his protective orders regarding Jeremiah to Nebuzaradan whom he knew to be capable and dependable.

1. The king’s orders were performed and Jeremiah was freed.

Jeremiah 39:12, “Find Jeremiah and look out for him. Do not do anything to harm him, but do with him whatever he tells you.” (NET)

I. “Find Jeremiah and look out for him. Do not do anything to harm him, but do with him whatever he tells you.”

A. Jeremiah was permitted to decide for himself what he wished to do. He was no longer a prisoner. He was free and unrestricted in his activities.

1. Jeremiah 40:1-6, The Lord spoke to Jeremiah after Nebuzaradan the captain of the royal guard had set him free at Ramah. He had taken him there in chains along with all the people from Jerusalem and Judah who were being carried off to exile to Babylon. The captain of the royal guard took Jeremiah aside and said to him, “The Lord your God threatened this place with this disaster. Now he has brought it about. The Lord has done just as he threatened to do. This disaster has happened because you people sinned against the Lord and did not obey him. But now, Jeremiah, today I will set you free from the chains on your wrists. If you would like to come to Babylon with me, come along and I will take care of you. But if you prefer not to come to Babylon with me, you are not required to do so. You are free to go anywhere in the land you want to go. Go wherever you choose.” Before Jeremiah could turn to leave, the captain of the guard



added, “Go back to Gedaliah, the son of Ahikam and grandson of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon appointed to govern the towns of Judah. Go back and live with him among the people. Or go wherever else you choose.” Then the captain of the guard gave Jeremiah some food and a present and let him go. So Jeremiah went to Gedaliah son of Ahikam at Mizpah and lived there with him. He stayed there to live among the people who had been left in the land of Judah. (NET)

2. Jeremiah was released by the Babylonians, not his fellow countrymen.

B. Nebuchadnezzar’s intelligence gathering would certainly have kept him informed of Jeremiah, a Hebrew prophet, who continually advised that Jerusalem surrender to the Babylonians.

1. Nebuchadnezzar now rewards Jeremiah for his perceived service.

2. Of course, it was Jeremiah’s goal to help his fellow Hebrews, not the Babylonians.

Jeremiah 39:13, So Nebuzaradan, the captain of the royal guard, Nebushazban, who was a chief officer, Nergal-Sharezer, who was a high official, and all the other officers of the king of Babylon (NET)

I. So Nebuzaradan, the captain of the royal guard, Nebushazban, who was a chief officer, Nergal-Sharezer, who was a high official, and all the other officers of the king of Babylon…

A. Nebushazbam (Nebushasban) was a Babylonian officer at the time of the siege and fall of Jerusalem. He was one of the high ranking Babylonian officials charged with showing kindness to Jeremiah.



B. “Ramah”, located some five miles north of Jerusalem, appears to have been the Babylonian field headquarters at the time. (See Hamilton.)

1. Jeremiah 40:1, The Lord spoke to Jeremiah after Nebuzaradan the captain of the royal guard had set him free at Ramah. He had taken him there in chains along with all the people from Jerusalem and Judah who were being carried off to exile to Babylon. (NET)

C. Nebushazban, a chief officer, was designated Rab-saris meaning “chief of the eunuchs”. Nergel-Sharezer was also a high official entitled Rab-mag. The meaning of Rab-mag is unknown but may mean “the chief butcher” or “chief executioner.” (Coffman) Why would Nebuchadnezzar send his chief executioner on this errand of mercy? Maybe those who were Jeremiah’s enemies would not want to do anything to Jeremiah which could upset Nebuchad-nezzar’s chief executioner.

Jeremiah 39:14, sent and had Jeremiah brought from the courtyard of the guardhouse. They turned him over to Gedaliah, *the son of Ahikam and the grandson of Shaphan, to take him home with him.** But Jeremiah stayed among the people. (NET)

I. sent and had Jeremiah brought from the courtyard of the guardhouse.

A. This was the last prison in which Jeremiah was confined.

1. Jeremiah 38:28, So Jeremiah remained confined in the courtyard of the guardhouse until the day Jerusalem was captured. The following events occurred when Jerusalem was captured. (NET)



B. Evidently he had been removed from the courtyard of the guardhouse and taken as a prisoner along with other captives to Ramah where Nebuzaradan identified him and set him free.

1. Jeremiah 40:1-4, The Lord spoke to Jeremiah after Nebuzaradan the captain of the royal guard had set him free at Ramah. He had taken him there in chains along with all the people from Jerusalem and Judah who were being carried off to exile to Babylon. The captain of the royal guard took Jeremiah aside and said to him, “The Lord your God threatened this place with this disaster. Now he has brought it about. The Lord has done just as he threatened to do. This disaster has happened because you people sinned against the Lord and did not obey him. But now, Jeremiah, today I will set you free from the chains on your wrists. If you would like to come to Babylon with me, come along and I will take care of you. But if you prefer not to come to Babylon with me, you are not required to do so. You are free to go anywhere in the land you want to go. Go wherever you choose.” (NET)

II. They turned him over to Gedaliah, * the son of Ahiham and the grandson of Shaphan, to take him home with him. **

A. *NET Footnote: The governor appointed by Nebuchadnezzar over the people who were left to live in Judah (2 Kings 25:22; Jeremiah 40:5).

1. 2 Kings 25:22, Now King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon appointed Gedaliah son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan, as governor over the people whom he allowed to remain in the land of Judah. (NET)

2. Jeremiah 40:5, Before Jeremiah could turn to leave, the captain of the guard added, “Go back to Gedaliah, the son of Ahikam and grandson of Shaphan, whom the king



of Babylon appointed to govern the towns of Judah. Go back and live with him among the people. Or go wherever else you choose.” Then the captain of the guard gave Jeremiah some food and a present and let him go. (NET)

B. **NET Footnote: Hebrew – to bring him into the house.

C. Gedaliah was a person of high birth appointed governor of Judah by Nebuchadnezzar. Gedaliah governed Judah from Mizpah, where after ruling for only two or three months, he was assassinated by Jewish nationalists led by Ishmael. Gedaliah’s father, Ahikam, had protected the prophet Jeremiah, and Gedaliah probably did the same. (Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary)

1. Jeremiah 36:11-12, Micaiah, who was the son of Gemariah and the grandson of Shaphan, heard Baruch read from the scroll everything the Lord had said. 12 He went down to the chamber of the royal secretary in the king’s palace and found all the court officials in session there. Elishama the royal secretary, Delaiah son of Shemaiah, Elnathan son of Achbor, Gemariah son of Shaphan, Zedekiah son of Hananiah, and all the other officials were seated there. (NET)

2. Jeremiah 26:24, However, Ahikam son of Shaphan used his influence to keep Jeremiah from being handed over and executed by the people. (NET)

D. Ahikam was a son of Shaphan and an officer in King Josiah’s court. He was a member of the delegation sent by Josiah to the prophetess Huldah. He had helped protect the prophet Jeremiah from the persecution of King Jehoiakim. (Nelson’s New Illustrated bible Dictionary)

1. 2 Kings 22:12-14, The king ordered Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Achbor son of Micaiah,



Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah the king’s servant, “Go, seek an oracle from the Lord for me and the people—for all Judah. Find out about the words of this scroll that has been discovered. For the Lord’s fury has been ignited against us, because our ancestors have not obeyed the words of this scroll by doing all that it instructs us to do.” So Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, Achbor, Shaphan, and Asaiah went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shullam son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, the supervisor of the wardrobe. (She lived in Jerusalem in the Mishneh district.) They stated their business, (NET)


E. Shapan was a scribe during the reign of King Josiah who helped Josiah carry out his religious reform. He was likely the father of Ahikam, Elasah, Gemariah and Gedaliah. (See Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary.)

1. 2 Kings 22:3-14, In the eighteenth year of King Josiah’s reign, the king sent the scribe Shaphan son of Azaliah, son of Meshullam, to the Lord’s temple with these orders: “Go up to Hilkiah the high priest and have him melt down the silver that has been brought by the people to the Lord’s temple and has been collected by the guards at the door. Have them hand it over to the construction foremen assigned to the Lord’s temple. They in turn should pay the temple workers to repair it, including craftsmen, builders, and masons, and should buy wood and chiseled stone for the repair work. Do not audit the foremen who disburse the silver, for they are honest.” Hilkiah the high priest informed Shaphan the scribe, “I found the law scroll in the Lord’s temple.”



Hilkiah gave the scroll to Shaphan and he read it. Shaphan the scribe went to the king and reported, “Your servants melted down the silver in the temple and handed it over to the construction foremen assigned to the Lord’s temple.” Then Shaphan the scribe told the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a scroll.” Shaphan read it out loud before the king. When the king heard the words of the law scroll, he tore his clothes. The king ordered Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Achbor son of Micaiah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah the king’s servant, “Go, seek an oracle from the Lord for me and the people—for all Judah. Find out about the words of this scroll that has been discovered. For the Lord’s fury has been ignited against us, because our ancestors have not obeyed the words of this scroll by doing all that it instructs us to do.” So Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, Achbor, Shaphan, and Asaiah went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shullam son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, the supervisor of the wardrobe. (She lived in Jerusalem in the Mishneh district.) They stated their business, (NET)


3. Jeremiah 29:3, He sent it with Elasah son of Shaphan and Gemariah son of Hilkiah. King Zedekiah of Judah had sent these men to Babylon to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. The letter said: (NET)

4. Jeremiah 36:10-12, At that time Baruch went into the temple of the Lord. He stood in the entrance of the room of Gemariah the son of Shaphan who had been the royal secretary. That room was in the upper court near the



entrance of the New Gate. There, where all the people could hear him, he read from the scroll what Jeremiah had said. Micaiah, who was the son of Gemariah and the grandson of Shaphan, heard Baruch read from the scroll everything the Lord had said. He went down to the chamber of the royal secretary in the king’s palace and found all the court officials in session there. Elishama the royal secretary, Delaiah son of Shemaiah, Elnathan son of Achbor, Gemariah son of Shaphan, Zedekiah son of Hananiah, and all the other officials were seated there. (NET)

F. Hamilton wrote, “They placed Jeremiah in the custody of Gedaliah who stayed in Mizpah three miles north of Ramah.”

1. Jeremiah 40:5, Before Jeremiah could turn to leave, the captain of the guard added, “Go back to Gedaliah, the son of Ahikam and grandson of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon appointed to govern the towns of Judah. Go back and live with him among the people. Or go wherever else you choose.” Then the captain of the guard gave Jeremiah some food and a present and let him go. (NET)

III. But Jeremiah stayed among the people.

A. Jeremiah went to Gedaliah and lived there with him. He stayed there to live among the people who had been left in the land.

1. Jeremiah 40:6, So Jeremiah went to Gedaliah son of Ahikam at Mizpah and lived there with him. He stayed there to live among the people who had been left in the land of Judah. (NET)

B. As Smith well wrote, “Jeremiah was free at last!”



Ebed-Melech Is Promised Deliverance Because of His Faith

Jeremiah 39:15, Now the Lord had spoken to Jeremiah while he was still confined in the courtyard of the guardhouse, (NET)

I. Now the Lord had spoken to Jeremiah while he was still confined in the courtyard of the guardhouse,…

A. This divine promise was given while Jeremiah was still a prisoner in the courtyard of the guardhouse, perhaps shortly after his last meeting with Zedekiah.

Jeremiah 39:16, “Go and tell Ebed-Melech the Ethiopian, ‘The Lord God of Israel who rules overall says, “I will carry out against this city what I promised. It will mean disaster and not good fortune for it. When that disaster happens, you will be there to see it. (NET)

I. “Go and tell Ebed-Melech the Ethiopian, ‘The LORD God of Israel who rules overall says,…

A. Ebed-Melech had saved Jeremiah’s life and his kindness was remembered by both Jeremiah and the Lord.

1. Jeremiah 38:7-13, An Ethiopian, Ebed Melech, a court official in the royal palace, heard that Jeremiah had been put in the cistern. While the king was holding court at the Benjamin Gate, Ebed Melech departed the palace and went to speak to the king. He said to him, “Your royal Majesty, those men have been very wicked in all that they have done to the prophet Jeremiah. They have thrown him into a cistern and he is sure to die of starvation there because there is no food left in the city.” Then the king gave Ebed Melech the Ethiopian the following order: “Take thirty men with you from here and go pull the prophet Jeremiah out of the cistern before he dies.” So Ebed Melech took the men with him and went to a room



under the treasure room in the palace. He got some worn-out clothes and old rags from there and let them down by ropes to Jeremiah in the cistern. Ebed Melech called down to Jeremiah, “Put these rags and worn-out clothes under your armpits to pad the ropes.” Jeremiah did as Ebed Melech instructed. So they pulled Jeremiah up from the cistern with ropes. Jeremiah, however, still remained confined to the courtyard of the guardhouse. (NET)

B. As a ranking official in Zedekiah’s service, Ebed-Melech was in special danger.

1. Jeremiah 39:6, There at Riblah the king of Babylon had Zedekiah’s sons put to death while Zedekiah was forced to watch. The king of Babylon also had all the nobles of Judah put to death. (NET)

II. “I will carry out against this city what I promised. It will mean disaster and not good fortune for it.

A. What Jeremiah had foretold for Jerusalem, Ebed-Melech was assured would come to pass.

B. Ebed-Melech was assured he could put full confidence in what Jeremiah said.

III. When that disaster happens, you will be there to see it.

A. Ebed-Melech would witness the fulfillment of Jeremiah’s prophecies regarding the destruction of Jerusalem.

Jeremiah 39:17, But I will rescue you when it happens. I, the Lord, affirm it! You will not be handed over to those whom you fear. (NET)

I. But I will rescue you when it happens. I, the LORD, affirm it.



A. Both God and Jeremiah remembered the faithful, good and kind deeds of Ebed-Melech which led to the saving of Jeremiah’s life when otherwise he would have faced a horrible death in the cistern.

B. The release of Jeremiah from confinement and the providential protection of Ebed-Melech are addressed in sequence, close proximity to each other.

1. God cares for his own. (See Smith.)

C. God had made a somewhat similar promise to Jeremiah previously. (See Smith.)

1. Jeremiah 1:8-9, Do not be afraid of those to whom I send you, for I will be with you to protect you,” says the Lord. Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “I will most assuredly give you the words you are to speak for me. (NET)

2. Jeremiah 15:20-21, I will make you as strong as a wall to these people, a fortified wall of bronze. They will attack you, but they will not be able to overcome you. For I will be with you to rescue you and deliver you,” says the Lord. “I will deliver you from the power of the wicked. I will free you from the clutches of violent people.” (NET)

3. Jeremiah 42:11, Do not be afraid of the king of Babylon whom you now fear. Do not be afraid of him because I will be with you to save you and to rescue you from his power. I, the Lord, affirm it! (NET)

D. Ebed-Melech could put full confident in both Jerusalem’s destruction and his personal deliverance.

II. You will not be handed over to those whom you fear.



A. Jeremiah 38:3, They had also heard him say, “The Lord says, ‘This city will certainly be handed over to the army of the king of Babylon. They will capture it.’” (NET)

B. Courageous, faithful men are not necessarily free of fear.

1. In the United States of America, those awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for extraordinary valor in the face of great danger and beyond the call of duty say they were fearful, but did their duty anyway!

2. So it is with God’s spiritual servants, soldiers in God’s army.

Jeremiah 39:18, I will certainly save you. You will not fall victim to violence. You will escape with your life because you trust in me. I, the Lord, affirm it!”’” (NET)

I. I will certainly save you. You will not fall victim to violence. *

A. *NET Footnote: Hebrew – You will not fall by the sword.

B. God did not just tell Ebed-Melech that he would save him. God said strongly and with great emphasis, “I will certainly, surely save you! I, the LORD affirm it.” It was a done deal! (See Hamilton.)

C. Ebed-Melech because of his faithful service to God and God’s servant Jeremiah were spared death by the sword, famine and plague. (See Smith.)

1. Jeremiah 21:9, Those who stay in this city will die in battle or of starvation or disease. Those who leave the city and surrender to the Babylonians who are besieging it will live. They will escape with their lives. (NET)



2. Jeremiah 24:10, I will bring war, starvation, and disease on them until they are completely destroyed from the land I gave them and their ancestors.’” (NET)

3. Jeremiah 27:8, But suppose a nation or a kingdom will not be subject to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. Suppose it will not submit to the yoke of servitude to him. I, the Lord, affirm that I will punish that nation. I will use the king of Babylon to punish it with war, starvation, and disease until I have destroyed it. (NET)

4. Jeremiah 32:24, Even now siege ramps have been built up around the city in order to capture it. War, starvation, and disease are sure to make the city fall into the hands of the Babylonians who are attacking it. Lord, you threatened that this would happen. Now you can see that it is already taking place. (NET)

5. Jeremiah 38:2, “The Lord says, ‘Those who stay in this city will die in battle or of starvation or disease. Those who leave the city and surrender to the Babylonians will live. They will escape with their lives.’” (NET)

D. A similar promise was made to Baruch, Jeremiah’s scribe.

1. Jeremiah 45:4-5, The Lord told Jeremiah, “Tell Baruch, ‘The Lord says, “I am about to tear down what I have built and to uproot what I have planted. I will do this throughout the whole earth. Are you looking for great things for yourself? Do not look for such things. For I, the Lord, affirm that I am about to bring disaster on all humanity. But I will allow you to escape with your life wherever you go.”’” (NET)

II. You will escape with your life because you trust in me. I, the LORD, affirm it.”’”



A. Ebed-Melech, Baruch, Jeremiah and Hezekiah were all delivered because they trusted in God.

1. 2 Kings 18:5, He trusted in the Lord God of Israel; in this regard there was none like him among the kings of Judah either before or after. (NET)

2. 2 Kings 18:19-22, The chief adviser said to them, “Tell Hezekiah: ‘This is what the great king, the king of Assyria, says: “What is your source of confidence? Your claim to have a strategy and military strength is just empty talk. In whom are you trusting that you would dare to rebel against me? Now look, you must be trusting in Egypt, that splintered reed staff. If a man leans for support on it, it punctures his hand and wounds him. That is what Pharaoh king of Egypt does to all who trust in him. Perhaps you will tell me, ‘We are trusting in the Lord our God.’ But Hezekiah is the one who eliminated his high places and altars and then told the people of Judah and Jerusalem, ‘You must worship at this altar in Jerusalem.’ (NET)

3. 2 Kings 18:30, Don’t let Hezekiah talk you into trusting in the Lord when he says, “The Lord will certainly rescue us; this city will not be handed over to the king of Assyria.” (NET)

Conclusion:

I. It is extremely important that we believe right and live right!



A. Jeremiah had preached for years that Jerusalem would be destroyed if its people did not repent and return to serving the Lord.

B. The people and their leaders believed false prophets who proclaimed God would never allow Jerusalem, the Temple and the Davidic dynasty to be destroyed.

C. The city was burned, destroyed, its walls broken down. Jerusalem was left a total ruin. The once mighty city was left as complete rubble. Its people were killed by sword, famine and disease and the king Zedekiah saw his sons and officials killed before his eyes and then he had his eyes gouged out. He was put in chains, bound hand and foot, and led off to Babylon with all the other exiles, prisoners. . . . all because they did not believe right and live right!

II. But God saved Jeremiah and Ebed-Melech who believed right and lived right!

A. Both Jeremiah and Ebed-Melech suffered for their faithful service to God, but…

B. The LORD never forsook them and worked out everything for their good!

C. He will do the same for us if we believe right and live right!



Questions

By

John C. Sewell

Jeremiah 39:1-18

(Questions based on NIV text)

1. The fall of Jerusalem is recorded in which Biblical references? _____ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ 2. What purpose, according to Smith, is served by Jeremiah 39? ______ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ 3. When did the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem begin and end? How long did it last? _____________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________



__________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ 4. Exactly when did Jerusalem fall to the Babylonians? _____________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ 5. Where did the Babylonian officials set up their command post after having entered Jerusalem? What were the strategic advantages of this location? __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ 6. Name the Babylonian officials and their titles as listed in Jeremiah 39:13. ____________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ 7. When the victorious Babylonians entered Jerusalem, what did Zedekiah and his governmental officials do? When did they do this? Where did they plan to go immediately and long term? ______________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________



__________________________________________________________ 8. Locate Riblah. What happened there? _________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ 9. The _________________ _______________ _______________ the _______________ ______________, the _______________ of the ______________, and the ______________’s _____________, and they _____________ ____________ the ____________of _____________. The once ____________ _____________ of _____________ was _____________ to ______________. 10. Who was Nebuzaradan? __________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ 11. List all the things Nebuzaradan did as reported in Jeremiah 39. ____ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________

12. List the people mentioned in Jeremiah 39 who were better off at the end of the chapter than they were at the beginning of the chapter. Specify the ways in which their conditions had improved. ____________



__________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ 13. List the people mentioned in Jeremiah 39 who were not as well off at the end of the chapter then they were at the beginning of the chapter. Specify the ways in which their conditions had deteriorated. _________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ 14. What orders did Nebuchadnezzar issue regarding Jeremiah? _______ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ 15. Why did he issue these orders? How did Nebuchadnezzar learn about Jeremiah’s activities? ___________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ 16. Was Jeremiah Nebuchadnezzar’s friend? Give reasons for your answer. ___________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________



__________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ 17. Locate Ramah. In regard to Jeremiah, what happened at Ramah? How did Jeremiah get from the courtyard of the guardhouse to Ramah? __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ 18. What kind offers did Nebuzaradan upon Nebuchadnezzar’s orders make to Jeremiah? What was Jeremiah’s response to these kindnesses? __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ 19. Who was Gedaliah? What office did he occupy? Describe the relationship between Gedaliah and his family and Jeremiah. __________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ 20. The _____________ placed _____________ in the ____________ of _____________ who stayed in _____________ ____________ miles _____________ of _______________. “So ______________ went to ______________ son of _______________ at ______________ and lived there with him. He ________________there to live among the



____________ who had been left in the ______________ of ____________.” (Jeremiah 40:6) 21. What conditions placed Ebed-Melech in special danger? Who would have done Ebed-Melech harm? _________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ 22. What promises did God through Jeremiah make to Ebed-Melech? Why and when were these promises made? _______________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ 23. ____________ promised ______________ would live to _____________ the _____________ of ____________, but he would not be ____________ ___________ to those he ____________. Whom did Ebed-Melech fear? _______________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ 24. Was it a sin, evidence of lack of faith in God, for Ebed-Melech to fear his enemies? Give reasons for your answer. __________________ _________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________



__________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ 25. ________________, ________________, ______________ and ____________ were all ____________ because they _____________ in _____________. 26. Extra credit question: Give evidence from what is said in Jeremiah 39 that it is extremely important that we believe right and live right. _____________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________


THE FALL OF JERUSALEM AND ITS AFTERMATH EBED...

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