Jeremiah 37:11-15
Faithful proclamation of God’s word often results in suffering and unjust opposition.
11 When the army of the Chaldeans had broken up from Jerusalem for fear of Pharaoh’s army,
12 then Jeremiah went out of Jerusalem to go into the land of Benjamin, to receive his portion there, in the middle of the people.
13 When he was in Benjamin’s gate, a captain of the guard was there, whose name was Irijah, the son of Shelemiah, the son of Hananiah; and he seized Jeremiah the prophet, saying, “You are defecting to the Chaldeans!”
14 Then Jeremiah said, “That is false! I am not defecting to the Chaldeans.” But he didn’t listen to him; so Irijah seized Jeremiah, and brought him to the princes.
15 The princes were angry with Jeremiah, and struck him, and put him in prison in the house of Jonathan the scribe; for they had made that the prison.
Faithful proclamation of God’s word often results in suffering and unjust opposition.
To narrate Jeremiah’s attempted departure from Jerusalem during the temporary Babylonian withdrawal and the false accusation that leads to his arrest and imprisonment.
This passage continues the narrative of Jeremiah’s experiences during the final siege of Jerusalem. Following the prophetic clarification that Babylon would return, Jeremiah becomes the victim of political suspicion and hostility.
During the temporary lifting of the Babylonian siege, Jeremiah attempts to travel to Benjamin but is arrested and accused of treason.
Zedekiah Seeks Prayer but Refuses the Word
Zedekiah wants Jeremiah's prayers and private counsel, but because he refuses the LORD's word, Babylon's temporary withdrawal cannot save Jerusalem from the judgment God has spoken.