Jeremiah

Jeremiah 27: The LORD rules all the nations

Begin in prayer

Before we read about the yoke of Babylon and the false prophets, let us come to the LORD together. Ask Him to help us trust that He made the earth and rules every nation, to meet with our family now, and to show us Christ, the King over all.

But our God is in the heavens. He does whatever he pleases.

Psalms 115:3

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You made the earth and give kingdoms to whom You choose, and help us not to listen to lies. Show us Christ, the King over all, and help us to turn from our sin and trust Him. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Jeremiah wears bonds and bars and sends a message to the kings of Edom, Moab, Ammon, Tyre and Sidon (verses 1 to 3). The LORD says He made the earth and gives it to whom He pleases (verse 5). He has given these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar, His servant, and the animals of the field serve him too (verse 6). A nation that refuses to bring its neck under Babylon’s yoke will be punished by sword, famine and pestilence (verse 8). But the nation that bows its neck and serves Babylon will remain in its own land (verse 11). Jeremiah tells King Zedekiah and the priests not to listen to prophets who promise that the vessels will return soon (verses 12 to 16). The LORD says the vessels will go to Babylon, and that He will bring them back when He visits (verses 21 and 22).

As you read Jeremiah 27, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD made the earth and gives kingdoms to whom He chooses.

The LORD tells Jeremiah to wear bonds and bars and to send a message to nearby kings (verses 1 to 3). Those neighboring kingdoms sent messengers to Jerusalem to Zedekiah, so the LORD sent His word to their kings through Jeremiah (verse 3). The LORD says He made the earth, the men and the animals, and that He gives the earth to whom He pleases (verse 5). The LORD calls Nebuchadnezzar His servant, and says that many nations and great kings will serve him (verses 6 and 7). Nations that bow to Babylon will stay in their land, but nations that refuse will be punished (verses 8 to 11). The vessels were the pillars, the Sea and other things in the LORD’s house that Babylon took with Jeconiah (verses 19 and 20). The LORD says the vessels will stay in Babylon until He visits His people (verses 21 and 22). Jesus is the King whom the LORD has set over all nations.

How does Jeremiah 27 show us that the LORD made the earth and gives kingdoms to whom He chooses?

The LORD made the earth and all its people.

God speaks to nearby kings through Jeremiah, so they hear that the LORD made the earth (verses 3 to 5). He made it by His great power and His outstretched arm (verse 5). Jesus is the Lord of all the earth.

The LORD gives kingdoms to whom He chooses.

The LORD gave these lands to Nebuchadnezzar and nations serve him until the time of his land comes (verse 7). Nations that refuse Babylon’s yoke face the sword, famine and pestilence, but those who bow will remain (verses 8 to 11). Jesus is the true King.

False prophets speak lies, and the LORD did not send them.

Jeremiah tells Zedekiah and the priests that the prophets speak a lie, and the LORD did not send them (verse 14). The false prophets promised a quick return, but the LORD says the vessels stay in Babylon until He visits (verse 22). Jesus is the truth, and no lie of this world can give what He gives, so trust Him.

Memorize

I have made the earth, the men and the animals that are on the surface of the earth

Jeremiah 27:5

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what in me refuses to bow, and will I come to Jesus as my King?

Jeremiah wore the bonds on his neck, and he told King Zedekiah, “Bring your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon” (verse 12). It sounds hard, but the LORD was showing His people where true life is found. Every sinner is under a yoke already, and the question is whose yoke we will carry.

Our sin is a yoke that we cannot break. Jesus took on the judgment our sin deserved, and He bore it for His people. On the third day He rose again, and His work is finished. It is enough for every sinner who comes to Him, and He alone breaks the yoke of sin.

So come to Jesus, the King whom the LORD has set over all nations. Bow to Him, turn from your sin, and trust Him. Every sinner who comes to Him will be forgiven and will live.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD made the earth and gives kingdoms to whom He chooses. Parents, you may want to explain why Jeremiah wore bonds and bars in your own words. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to bow to Jesus and turn from sin, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that He made the earth and rules every nation, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

The earth is Yahweh’s, with its fullness; the world, and those who dwell therein.

Psalms 24:1

Lord, thank You that You made the earth and rule over every nation. Thank You that Jesus is the King, and that He calls sinners to come under His rule. Forgive our hearts that want our own way. Help each of us to bow to Jesus this week and trust Him for life. Amen.