Jeremiah 37:16-21
God’s word continues to confront leaders with truth even when His messenger suffers opposition and imprisonment.
16 When Jeremiah had come into the dungeon house, and into the cells, and Jeremiah had remained there many days,
17 then Zedekiah the king sent, and had him brought out. The king asked him secretly in his house, “Is there any word from Yahweh?” Jeremiah said, “There is.” He also said, “You will be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon.”
18 Moreover Jeremiah said to king Zedekiah, “How have I sinned against you, against your servants, or against this people, that you have put me in prison?
19 Now where are your prophets who prophesied to you, saying, ‘The king of Babylon will not come against you, nor against this land?’
20 Now please hear, my lord the king: please let my supplication be presented before you, that you not cause me to return to the house of Jonathan the scribe, lest I die there.”
21 Then Zedekiah the king commanded, and they committed Jeremiah into the court of the guard. They gave him daily a loaf of bread out of the bakers’ street, until all the bread in the city was gone. Thus Jeremiah remained in the court of the guard.
God’s word continues to confront leaders with truth even when His messenger suffers opposition and imprisonment.
To record Jeremiah’s continued imprisonment and his private audience with King Zedekiah in which the prophet faithfully reiterates God’s message of coming judgment.
This passage follows Jeremiah’s unjust imprisonment and introduces a secret meeting between the prophet and King Zedekiah. The king continues to seek divine guidance privately while failing to publicly heed God’s warnings.
Jeremiah remains imprisoned during the Babylonian siege while King Zedekiah secretly consults him about God’s message.
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.