Bible Audio Sermons
Pray to God | Jeremiah 37 | Pastor William Hixson
Jeremiah 37 records events during the reign of King Zedekiah while Jerusalem was under threat from Babylon (Jer. 37:1). The chapter reveals Judah's continued disobedience to God, the certainty of divine judgment, and the faithfulness of Jeremiah amid persecution. Despite the desperate circumstances facing the nation, neither the king nor the people submitted to the word of the Lord spoken through His prophet (Jer. 37:2). King Zedekiah sent Jehucal and Zephaniah to Jeremiah with a request that he pray unto the Lord on behalf of the nation (Jer. 37:3). Yet Scripture states that the king, his servants, and the people did not obey the words that the Lord spoke through Jeremiah (Jer. 37:2). They sought God's help during a national crisis while continuing in disobedience to His revealed will. At that time, the Babylonian army had temporarily withdrawn from Jerusalem when Pharaoh's army came forth out of Egypt, causing the Chaldeans to lift the siege (Jer. 37:5). This development could have encouraged hopes that Jerusalem would escape destruction. However, the Lord gave Jeremiah a clear message declaring that Pharaoh's army would return to Egypt and that the Chaldeans would come again, fight against Jerusalem, take it, and burn it with fire (Jer. 37:6-8). God warned the people not to deceive themselves by believing that the Babylonians would depart permanently (Jer. 37:9). In fact, the Lord declared that even if Judah had defeated the Chaldean army and only wounded men remained, they would still rise up and burn the city because God's judgment had been decreed (Jer. 37:10). During this period, Jeremiah attempted to leave Jerusalem and go into the land of Benjamin (Jer. 37:11-12). As he passed through the gate of Benjamin, Irijah, the captain of the ward, accused him of falling away to the Chaldeans (Jer. 37:13). Jeremiah plainly denied the accusation, declaring, "It is false; I fall not away to the Chaldeans" (Jer. 37:14, KJV). Nevertheless, Irijah arrested him and brought him before the princes (Jer. 37:14). The princes were angry with Jeremiah, smote him, and imprisoned him in the house of Jonathan the scribe, which had been turned into a prison (Jer. 37:15). Jeremiah was then confined in the dungeon and in the cabins, where he remained for many days (Jer. 37:16). Later, King Zedekiah secretly sent for Jeremiah and asked whether there was any word from the Lord (Jer. 37:17). Jeremiah courageously delivered the same message he had always proclaimed: "There is: for, said he, thou shalt be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon" (Jer. 37:17, KJV). Even after imprisonment and mistreatment, Jeremiah remained faithful and did not alter God's word to gain favor or avoid suffering. Jeremiah then appealed to the king, asking what offense he had committed against the king, the princes, or the people that justified his imprisonment (Jer. 37:18). He also challenged the false prophets who had predicted that the king of Babylon would not come against Judah and Jerusalem (Jer. 37:19). Jeremiah respectfully requested that he not be returned to Jonathan's house lest he die there (Jer. 37:20). Zedekiah granted the request and commanded that Jeremiah be kept in the court of the prison. He also ordered that Jeremiah receive a daily piece of bread from the bakers' street until all the bread in the city was spent (Jer. 37:21). Thus, Jeremiah remained in the court of the prison (Jer. 37:21). From a Christian perspective, Jeremiah 37 teaches that God's word is certain and cannot be overturned by changing political circumstances. The temporary withdrawal of Babylon did not nullify God's decree concerning Jerusalem (Jer. 37:5-10). The chapter also teaches the importance of remaining faithful to God's truth even when doing so brings opposition and suffering (Jer. 37:14-17). Jeremiah's experience as a rejected and suffering servant of God provides a meaningful parallel to the greater rejection and suffering of Jesus Christ, who was also opposed while faithfully proclaiming God's truth. Believers are reminded that God's purposes will stand, His word will come to pass, and His servants are called to remain faithful regardless of the cost (Jer. 37:7-10, 17). Sunday church service includes prayer, congregational singing and classical hymns accompanied by piano. The message typically lasts about an hour. Main https://www.athensbible.org Missions https://www.athensbible.org/our-ministries/our-missionaries/ Nursing Homes https://www.athensbible.org/nursing-home-visits/ Video Archives https://www.athensbible.org/sunday-morning-videos/ https://www.athensbible.org/sunday-school-videos/ https://www.athensbible.org/sunday-evening-videos/
