Jeremiah

Jeremiah 52: Judgment falls and the promise stands

Begin in prayer

Before we read how Jerusalem fell to Babylon, and how the LORD kept His promise to the line of David, let us come before Him in prayer. Ask Him to show us that He judges sin and keeps His word, to be with our family as we read, and to show us Jesus, the King from David’s line.

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne. Loving kindness and truth go before your face.

Psalms 89:14

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You judge sin, and that You keep Your promises to Your people. Show us Jesus, the King from David’s line, 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

Zedekiah reigned in Jerusalem and did evil in the LORD’s sight, as Jehoiakim had done (verses 1 and 2). Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon, and the LORD’s anger came on Jerusalem and Judah (verse 3). Babylon surrounded Jerusalem until the famine grew severe in the city (verses 4 to 6). Zedekiah fled by night, but he was caught and taken to the king of Babylon at Riblah (verses 7 to 9). The LORD’s house, the king’s house and the walls of Jerusalem were burned or broken down (verses 12 to 14). Some of the bronze pillars and vessels from the LORD’s house were carried away to Babylon (verses 17 to 23). Jehoiachin was released from prison, was spoken to kindly, and was given a place above the other kings (verses 31 to 34).

As you read Jeremiah 52, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD judges sin, but He keeps His promise to David’s line.

Zedekiah ruled Judah for eleven years, and his mother was Hamutal of Libnah (verse 1). Zedekiah did evil as Jehoiakim had done, and the LORD’s anger came on Judah (verses 2 and 3). The LORD’s anger is His holy response to sin, and He cast Judah out of His presence because of it (verse 3). Babylon’s siege lasted until the famine grew severe, and the people had no bread (verses 4 to 6). The house of the LORD was the place of His presence among His people, so its burning showed how serious sin is (verse 13). King Solomon had made the bronze bulls for the LORD’s house, and they were carried away (verse 20). Jehoiachin was a descendant of David, and he was taken into captivity in Babylon (verse 31). The LORD had promised that David would never lack a man to sit on his throne (Jeremiah 33 verse 17). Jesus came from the line of David, and He reigns forever as King, so turn from your sin and trust Him.

How does Jeremiah 52 show us that the LORD judges sin, and that He keeps His promise to David’s line?

Sin brought Jerusalem under the LORD’s judgment.

Zedekiah did evil in the LORD’s sight, as Jehoiakim had done (verse 2). The LORD’s anger came on Jerusalem and Judah, and He cast them out from His presence (verse 3). Jesus bore the judgment for sin on the cross for all who turn to Him, so turn from sin and trust Him.

Judgment reached the LORD’s house and the king’s house.

The house of the LORD, the king’s house and the city walls were broken down (verses 13 and 14). The bronze pillars and vessels were carried away to Babylon (verses 17 to 23). Jesus is the true temple of God.

The LORD keeps His promise to David’s line.

Jehoiachin was released from prison in the thirty-seventh year of his captivity (verse 31). The king of Babylon spoke kindly to him and gave him a place above the other kings (verse 32). Jehoiachin ate bread before him every day of his life (verse 33). Jesus is the King from David’s line who reigns forever, so come to Him.

Memorize

For through Yahweh’s anger this happened in Jerusalem and Judah, until he had cast them out from his presence.

Jeremiah 52:3

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, how have I rebelled against the LORD, and will I come to Jesus, the King?

Jerusalem fell because its king and people had rebelled and done evil in the LORD’s sight (verses 2 and 3). Yet the LORD kept David’s line alive, and Jehoiachin was released from prison (verses 31 and 32). The LORD judges sin, and He keeps His word.

Jesus is the King from David’s line, and He reigns forever. He went to the cross and bore the punishment that sinners deserved, and His death is enough for every sinner who comes to Him. On the third day He was raised to life. Jesus welcomes sinners. Please turn from your sin and trust Him, because He forgives everyone who comes to Him.

Jehoiachin ate at the king’s table, but Jesus invites sinners to come home to Him. Come to the King today, confess your rebellion, and trust Him, for He will receive everyone who comes to Him.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD judges sin, and that He keeps His promise to David’s line. Parents, verses 10 and 11 tell what happened to Zedekiah and his sons, so please read gently and end on Jehoiachin’s kindness. 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 judges sin and keeps His promises, and bring the heart question to Him. Let the children pray in their own words, one at a time.

I indeed declare, “Love stands firm forever. You established the heavens. Your faithfulness is in them.”

Psalms 89:2

Lord, thank You that You judge sin and keep Your promises to Your people. Forgive us for rebelling against You and for trusting our own way. Thank You for Jesus, the King from David’s line, who bore the judgment of sin on the cross and was raised to life. Help us to turn from our sin, trust Him, and rest in Your faithfulness this week. Amen.