Jeremiah 38

Jeremiah 38:14-28

Vs 14 ~ why does the bible go into such great detail on things that seem to have no relevance for us today? Why does knowing the Jeremiah was brought to the third entrance of the temple of The Lord significant?

Jeremiah was known at this point to preach the truth...regardless of how his listeners would react! Why did Zedekiah feel he needed to encourage Jeremiah to tell him the truth? Maybe after being beaten and imprisoned, Zedekiah thought Jeremiah's story about what God was speaking to him would change?

Vs 17 ~ life through surrender! Is this not the choice that God presents to all of us? Surrender for Zedekiah meant giving up his kingdom. Giving up his plans for his life. Same cost that we face today in choosing God and his will for our lives.

As with us this choice of surrender not only affects us but the people around us. Zedekiah's decision to surrender would mean that his family would live!

Vs 20 ~ Obedience to God is always in our best interest. "It will go well with you" is found in multiple scriptures regarding obedience to God.

Refusing to surrender had a consequence. When we refuse to surrender to God there is also a consequence. When I rely on my own strength and try to do things my way it always ends in disaster!

Vs 24-26 ~ Jeremiah was ordered to lie by the king and he obeyed that order. Is that right? Did Jeremiah lie and disobey God because he was scared he would die? The threat of death never stopped him before from doing what was right. Was Jeremiah justified in lying before God in this case?