Intent matters. It is the difference between manslaughter or murder. It is the difference between a genuine apology or being thought disingenuous. It is the difference between acceptance or rejection by God.
King Zedekiah had two major problems: Firstly, the might of the Babylonian Army was on Jerusalem’s doorstep, and secondly, it was there at God’s invitation. The die was cast, Israel was going into Babylonian captivity and Jerusalem was going to be destroyed.
Like all of us, King Zedekiah heard the words, but hoped against hope that God would not follow through on all the talk of destruction and wrath. However, not being able to wish away the actual presence of the Babylonian forces, he sent a message to Jeremiah asking, “Please pray to the Lord our God for us” (Jeremiah 37:3).
Jeremiah was a prophet doomed to see many of his prophesies come true in his lifetime. His prayers for Zedekiah and Israel were drenched day and night with his own tears.
Later Zedekiah had Jeremiah brought to him privately to ask him, “Is there any word from the Lord?” But lest you think that Zedekiah was in the throes of a spiritual revival, Jeremiah’s reply puts any such notion to rest:
“Yes,” Jeremiah replied, “you will be delivered into the hands of the king of Babylon” (Jeremiah 37:17).
Zedekiah was just another weak, desperate politician prone to using God as a backup plan when all else is failing. His officials wanted Jeremiah dead because of his prophesies of pending doom, and Zedekiah foolishly feared them more than he feared God. And Jeremiah, instead of enjoying the protection of the King, he found himself literally stuck in the mud at the bottom of a well.
God knew the thoughts and intentions of King Zedekiah’s heart; they were not hard to miss. God had dispatched Jeremiah to warn him of God’s judgement, but tragically, he chose fear over faith.
Judgement is coming – Ready or not!
John Staiger
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