Jeremiah

Jeremiah 21: Life and death before the LORD

Begin in prayer

Before we go with Jeremiah to King Zedekiah, let us bow before the LORD in prayer. Ask Him to open our eyes to the way of life, to strengthen our family, and to show us Christ, who is the way.

For with you is the spring of life. In your light shall we see light.

Psalms 36:9

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You set life and death before us, and help us to choose Your way. Make us turn from our sin and trust Jesus, the way of life. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

King Zedekiah sends two men to Jeremiah to seek the LORD’s help, because Nebuchadnezzar is making war on Jerusalem (verses 1 and 2). Jeremiah gives the LORD’s answer, that He Himself will fight against the city with an outstretched hand and a strong arm (verses 3 to 5). Whoever stays in the city will die by sword, famine or pestilence, but whoever goes out to the Chaldeans will live (verses 8 and 9). The house of David is told to do justice, because the LORD’s wrath will burn like fire over their evil deeds (verses 11 and 12). The people ask who can come against them, but the LORD says, “Behold, I am against you” (verses 13 and 14).

As you read Jeremiah 21, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD sets life and death before His people, and no one can stand against Him.

King Zedekiah hoped the LORD would work a wonder for the city (verses 1 and 2). The LORD answered that He Himself would fight against this city with His own strong arm (verses 4 and 5). Jeremiah told the people that staying in the city meant death, but going out to the Chaldeans meant life (verses 8 and 9). The house of David was told to do justice, and the LORD warned that His wrath would burn like fire (verses 11 and 12). No one can escape the LORD’s judgment, because He punishes each person according to the fruit of their deeds (verses 13 and 14). Jesus is the true Son of David, and He alone saves sinners from the judgment they deserve.

How does Jeremiah 21 show us that the LORD sets life and death before His people, and no one can stand against Him?

The LORD sets life and death before us.

Staying in the city meant death, and going out meant life (verses 8 and 9). The LORD gave the people a real choice in His word. Jesus is the way of life.

No one can escape the LORD’s judgment.

The people asked who could come against them, and the LORD answered, “Behold, I am against you” (verse 13). He would kindle a fire that would devour all that was around the city (verse 14). Only Jesus bore the judgment that sinners deserved.

The house of David must do justice.

The LORD told the king’s house to act justly and to rescue the one being robbed (verse 12). He warned that His anger would burn like fire against evil (verse 12). Christ is the true King who always did what is right.

Memorize

Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death

Jeremiah 21:8

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what sin must I turn from today, and will I come to Jesus for life?

The LORD told the people, “Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death.” The city had turned from Him, and no army or king could save it from His judgment. Zedekiah hoped for a wonder, but the LORD had set His face against the city for evil.

Every person stands before the same choice. We cannot escape the LORD’s judgment by our own strength, because our sin has made us guilty before Him. Jesus went to the cross, where He died in their place and bore the judgment that sinners deserved. He rose from the dead on the third day, and His finished work is enough for every believer who trusts Him.

So come to Jesus, and turn from your sin. He is the way of life, and He calls every sinner to come to Him. Whoever turns to Him in faith will be forgiven, and the LORD will receive them as His own.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD sets life and death before us, and that only Jesus is the way of life. Parents, you may want to explain verses 4 to 7 gently, since they describe a city under judgment. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, the way of life.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for the way of life that He sets before us in Christ, and bring the heart question to Him. Invite the children to pray a short prayer.

Oh taste and see that Yahweh is good. Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.

Psalms 34:8

Lord, You set life and death before us, and You alone are the way of life. Forgive our sin and our hardened hearts. Bring each of us to Jesus, and help us walk in His way. Help us to live as those who trust You this week. Amen.