What happened as Babylon conquered Jerusalem? Was Zedekiah punished for not surrendering? Are we taught to come out of a symbolic Babylon? Let’s look at Jeremiah 39.
Did Babylon finally conquer Jerusalem as God had warned Judah?
In the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched against Jerusalem with his whole army and laid siege to it. And on the ninth day of the fourth month of Zedekiah’s eleventh year, the city wall was broken through. Then all the officials of the king of Babylon came and took seats in the Middle Gate: Nergal-Sharezer of Samgar, Nebo-Sarsekim a chief officer, Nergal-Sharezer a high official and all the other officials of the king of Babylon. (Jer 39:1-3 NIV)
What did king Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon do to king Zedekiah of Judah?
So it was, when Zedekiah the king of Judah and all the men of war saw them, that they fled and went out of the city by night, by way of the king’s garden, by the gate between the two walls. And he went out by way of the plain. But the Chaldean army pursued them and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho. And when they had captured him, they brought him up to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, to Riblah in the land of Hamath, where he pronounced judgment on him. Then the king of Babylon killed the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes in Riblah; the king of Babylon also killed all the nobles of Judah. Moreover he put out Zedekiah’s eyes, and bound him with bronze fetters to carry him off to Babylon. (Jer 39:4-7 NKJV)
What did the Babylonians do to Jerusalem and most of the people?
Meanwhile, the Babylonians burned Jerusalem, including the royal palace and the houses of the people, and they tore down the walls of the city. Then Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, took as exiles to Babylon the rest of the people who remained in the city, those who had defected to him, and everyone else who remained. But Nebuzaradan allowed some of the poorest people to stay behind in the land of Judah, and he assigned them to care for the vineyards and fields. (Jer 39:8-10 NLT)
What did Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, command regarding the prophet Jeremiah?
Now Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon commanded Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard concerning Jeremiah, saying, “Take him and take care of him. Do him no harm; but do to him even as he tells you.” So Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard, Nebushazban, Rabsaris, and Nergal Sharezer, Rabmag, and all the chief officers of the king of Babylon sent and took Jeremiah out of the court of the guard, and committed him to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, that he should bring him home. So he lived among the people. (Jer 39:11-14 WEB)
What did God promise Ebed-Melech the Cushite because he trusted in God?
The Lord’s word came to Jeremiah when he was still confined to the prison quarters: Go and say to Ebed-melech the Cushite that the Lord of heavenly forces, the God of Israel, proclaims: I’m about to fulfill my words concerning this city, for harm and not for good. You will witness it for yourself on that day. But on that day, declares the Lord: I will rescue you; you won’t be handed over to those you dread. I will defend you; you won’t die in battle. You will escape with your life, because you have trusted in me, declares the Lord. (Jer 39:15-18 CEB)
What does God teach us through John about a prophetic Babylon?
Then I heard another voice from heaven shout, “My people, you must escape from [come out of] Babylon. Don't take part in her sins and share her punishment. (Rev 18:4 CEV)
What happened as Babylon conquered Jerusalem? Was Zedekiah punished for not surrendering? Are we taught to come out of a symbolic Babylon? You decide!
