Jeremiah 52
-This chapter is basically a
recap of chapter 39 when the Chaldeans besieged Jerusalem, took it over, and
took Zedekiah away as a blinded prisoner to Babylon. The chapter gives some
more extensive details into the destruction of the holy city and who/what was
taken and who was left. The house of the LORD, the king’s house, and all the
major houses of Jerusalem were burned, and the walls were broken down which
surrounded the city through the anger of the LORD because of Judah’s rebellion (Jeremiah
52:1-30).
-There is a short narrative on
what happened to King Jehoiachin at the end of this book (Jeremiah 52:31-34). In
his 37th year of exile in the 12th month and on the 25th
day, Evil-merodach king of Babylon, who was in the first year of his reign,
showed favor to the former Judean king and brought him out of prison. He spoke
kindly to him and set his throne above the thrones of the other kings who were
with him in Babylon. Jehoiachin changed from his prison clothes and had his
meals with the king of Babylon regularly until the day he passed away. He
received a regular allowance and a daily portion out of Evil-merodach’s
generosity. God continued to bless the line of David even in exile and in dire
circumstances. His promises remained true and lasting through His prophetic
word that He would never let fail (Jeremiah 33:14-26). *Application* God is
never slow about His promises as some count slowness (2 Peter 3:9), but He is
patient and always drawing us into repentance and a deeper walk with Him in His
ways. Allow the LORD to do His mighty work in your life through the entire
course of it. Take Jeremiah’s example. He was a man who was rejected over and
over and over again by the world and its system. Even so, he faithfully carried
out his mission and prophetic service for the LORD through thick and thin. God
took care of him even though I’m sure some times he wandered as to what was
going on. Although never really successful in the world’s eyes because of his
unpopularity in speaking the truth, he was obedient to the LORD and very successful
in God’s eyes and in posterity. God measures our success in terms of obedience,
faithfulness, and righteousness. If you are completely doing these things in
the work God gives you, you too are totally successful in His sight!
Verse to Memorize: Jeremiah 52
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