Jeremiah

Jeremiah 39: The LORD delivers those who trust

Begin in prayer

Before we read about Jerusalem falling, and a promise to one man who trusted the LORD, let us come before Him in prayer. Ask Him to make us sure of His promises, to be with our family as we read, and to show us Jesus, who saves all who trust Him.

I have put my trust in God. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

Psalms 56:11

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You keep every promise, and help us to trust You with all our heart. Show us Jesus, who saves those who trust Him, 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

The siege of Jerusalem begins in Zedekiah’s ninth year, and in his eleventh year a breach is made in the city (verses 1 and 2). When the breach is made, Zedekiah and his soldiers flee by night through the king’s garden (verses 3 and 4). The Chaldean army catches Zedekiah on the plains of Jericho and takes him to Riblah, where the king of Babylon judges him (verse 5). At Riblah the king of Babylon kills Zedekiah’s sons before him, puts out his eyes, and binds him in chains (verses 6 and 7). The Chaldeans burn the king’s house and the houses of the people, and they break down the walls of Jerusalem (verse 8). Nebuzaradan takes the rest of the people into exile, and leaves the poor in the land with vineyards and fields (verses 9 and 10). Nebuchadnezzar orders that Jeremiah be looked after and not harmed, and the LORD sends a promise to Ebedmelech (verses 11 to 18).

As you read Jeremiah 39, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD keeps His promise, and He delivers those who trust in Him.

Jerusalem fell in the eleventh year of Zedekiah, just as the LORD had warned through Jeremiah (verses 1 and 2). This shows that the LORD keeps every word He speaks, even when His people refuse to listen. Zedekiah fled by night, but the army caught him near Jericho and took him to Babylon’s king (verses 4 and 5). The judgment Jeremiah spoke came true, because Zedekiah would not go out to the Chaldeans (verses 5 to 7). The Chaldeans burned the king’s house and broke down the walls, so the city lay in ruins (verse 8). Nebuchadnezzar ordered his officers to look after Jeremiah and do him no harm (verses 11 and 12). The LORD’s promise to Ebedmelech came while Jeremiah was still shut up in the court of the guard (verses 15 and 16). Ebedmelech will not fall by the sword, because he has put his trust in the LORD (verses 17 and 18). Jesus trusted the Father perfectly, and God raised Him from the dead, so every sinner who trusts Him can rest in His promise.

How does Jeremiah 39 show us that the LORD keeps His promise, and that He delivers those who trust in Him?

The LORD keeps every word He has spoken.

Jerusalem fell just as the LORD had warned through Jeremiah (verses 1 and 2). Zedekiah could not escape the hand of Babylon, just as the LORD had said (verses 4 to 7). The LORD’s word does not fail, and that gives every sinner a reason to trust Him.

The LORD delivers those who trust in Him.

Ebedmelech had put his trust in the LORD, and the LORD promised to save him from the sword (verses 17 and 18). The men he feared would not be able to take him (verse 17). Jesus is the greater Deliverer, and every sinner who trusts Him is delivered from sin and death.

The LORD cares for the lowly and forgotten.

The poor who had nothing were left in the land with vineyards and fields (verses 9 and 10). Nebuchadnezzar gave orders for Jeremiah’s care, and the LORD spoke kindly to a foreigner in the king’s house (verses 11 to 18). Jesus came for sinners who had no hope in themselves, and He calls them to repent and believe.

Memorize

But I will deliver you in that day

Jeremiah 39:17

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, whom do I fear more than God, and will I trust Jesus with my soul?

Zedekiah ran away in the dark, but he could not escape the judgment that the LORD had spoken (verses 4 and 5). Jerusalem fell because its people had refused to listen to God’s word. Everyone who runs from God will find that His word still stands.

But in the middle of judgment, the LORD gave one man a promise. Ebedmelech had put his trust in the LORD, and the LORD said he would not fall by the sword (verses 17 and 18). Jesus is the greater Deliverer. He bore the punishment our sin deserved, rose from the dead on the third day, and gives life to all who come to Him. He has done everything needed to save those who come to Him, and they receive forgiveness.

So come to Jesus, and trust Him today. Turn from your sin and put your trust in Him, because the LORD keeps His promise to those who trust in Him. Do not wait until judgment comes to you, as it came to Jerusalem.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD keeps His promise, and that He delivers those who trust in Him. Parents, you may want to explain verses 6 and 7 gently, and why God gave Ebedmelech His promise. 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, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that He is faithful to His promises, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

Those who know your name will put their trust in you, for you, Yahweh, have not forsaken those who seek you.

Psalms 9:10

Lord, thank You that You keep Your promises, and that You deliver those who trust in You. Forgive us for the times we trust our own strength more than You. Thank You for Jesus, who trusted the Father perfectly and rose from the dead. Help us to turn from sin, trust Him, and rest in Your promises this week. Amen.