Vv. 1,2 God gives us true rest. The only place we will find true rest is in God. Do not trust buildings or material things to find rest. Trust in God completely.
Vv. 1-3 God hands over the city of Jerusalem that they believed would last forever, to the hands of the gentiles. The officials that had influence over the king of Judah were nowhere to be found. Instead the officials of the Babylonians took their place. God waited for a very long time and repeatedly urged them to repent, but they held on to their theology and kept to their wicked ways. Thus he destroyed their expectations. Do I live with the vague expectation that my salvation is no problem, even though I don’t want to live by the principles of the kingdom of God?
Vv. 4-10 God fulfills what was prophesied through the prophets. The officials of Judah and Egypt, who they feared more than God, could not guarantee the safety of Zedekiah. They tried to escape but were captured. The last thing Zedekiah saw was the ution of his sons. Just imagine Zedekiah, who had to bury his children in his heart before his eyes were pulled out and he was bound by bronze shackles and taken to Babylon. All the nobles who believed that God would protect Jerusalem, even after they broke the covenant and made their own people slaves (34:18-20) were killed. The palace was burnt and the city wall was ruined. Do you remember the word of the Lord that he will come again like a thief? Do I belong to the day, awake and watchful, or to the night, blissfully numbed by indulgence?
Thank you for reminding me that the promise and warning of the Lord will be fulfilled.
