Chapter 39

But the Chaldean army pursued them and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho. (Jeremiah 39:5)

The distance from Jerusalem to Jericho is about 25kms. The Chaldean army hotly pursued Zedekiah for nearly 25kms - that was a long chase.

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. (Jeremiah 39:4)

The king’s garden was located near the Pool of Siloam (Nehemiah 3:15) We often visit this when we go to Israel.

Ezekiel 12:12 is a remarkable prophecy of this event: And the prince who is among them shall bear his belongings on his shoulder at twilight and go out. They shall dig through the wall to carry them out through it. He shall cover his face, so that he cannot see the ground with his eyes.

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. (Jeremiah 39:6-7)

The last sight that Zedekiah saw was the death of his sons and nobles

Jeremiah 39:15-18 describes how “Ebed-Melech received the same reward as Jeremiah. When Jerusalem fell, both men were rescued, for God delivers all who trust in him. Like all true servants of the King, Ebed-Melech was saved by faith.”

The good that you do towards the servants of the Lord will be remembered. Ebed-Melech rescued Jeremiah from the pit and mire. The Lord remembered it and saved his life.

Now Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had given these orders about Jeremiah through Nebuzaradan commander of the imperial guard: “Take him and look after him; don’t harm him but do for him whatever he asks.” (Jeremiah 39:11-12)

A prophet is never respected by his own. Outsiders respect and honour a true prophet. Lord Jesus taught on this (John 4:44; Luke 4:16-30)