Jeremiah's Justification

Introduction: Who can remind me what the Lord told Jeremiah his ministry would be like back in Jeremiah 1?

Jeremiah 1:10, 19

Behold, I have put My words in your mouth. See, I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out and to pull down, to destroy and to throw down, to build and to plant . . . They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you. For I am with you," says the LORD, "to deliver you."

Jeremiah 52 was written sometime after 561 B.C. when Jehoiachin was released from prison in Babylon. So some time has passed between the ending of Jeremiah 51 and the beginning of 52. Baylon laid siege to Jerusalem in 598 B.C., which lasted for two years. Jerusalem then fell in 596 B.C., and Jehoiachin was not released from prison until 561 B.C. So approximately 35 years have passed between the fall of Jerusalem and the addition of Jeremiah 52 to the book. Which leaves us with the question, why was this chapter added to the book after all that time?

Quotes that didn't age well:

By 2005 or so, it will become clear that the internet's impact on the economy has been no greater than the fax machine's." - Paul Krugman, Nobel Prize-winning economist

"Does more. Costs less. It's that simple." - Apple

Most likely, it was added to show that, although the stubborn Judean refused to listen, Jeremiah's words of judgment and criticism against Jerusalem had been fulfilled. And his words of Judah's future release were about to be fulfilled. So this final chapter serves to both vindicate Jeremiah and encourage those living in the captivity about their future restoration.

The Fate of Jerusalem

The fall of Zedekiah (Vv. 1-11)

The history of Judah's final king is once again summarized. Zedekiah became king and rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar. Nebuchadnezzar laid siege to Jerusalem, and the resulting famine weakened the city. The city then fell into the hands of the Babylonians. As for Zedekiah himself, he tried to flee, but, as predicted by Jeremiah, he was caught and taken to Nebuchadnezzar, where he was forced to watch the execution of his sons. He was then blinded and taken to Babylon, where he remained imprisoned until his death.

The fall of Jerusalem (Vv. 12-16)

And the city of Jerusalem did not do much better than her king. When the city fell to Babylon, her people and goods were confiscated, and she was burned. From the temple to the houses of the people, every important building was burned down. Only the poorest people were left behind to work the land and pay taxes.

The fall of the temple (Vv. 17-23)

The temple's destruction here serves as the resolution to Jeremiah's conflict with the false prophet Hananiah in Jeremiah 27. Hananiah had predicted that the temple furniture already taken to Babylon would be restored within two years, while Jeremiah predicted the temple's complete destruction. Which prophet was correct? Well, Jeremiah 52 proves the truth of Jeremiah's prophecy. Everything moveable and of value was carried away to Babylon while the immovable structures were burned.

The Fate of the People

The fate of those in the city during Jerusalem's fall (Vv. 24-27)

The Babylonians rounded up all of the city's leaders and took them to Riblah, where they were executed.

The fate of the exiles (Vv. 28-30)

Combined with 2 Kings 24, Jeremiah 52 continues to highlight the extent of Babylon's destruction. Not only did they take captives, but they made return visits to take more people captive. Again, this highlights the accuracy of Jeremiah's message that Jerusalem would be completely humbled.

The fate of Jehoiachin (Vv. 31-34)

However, this historical addition to Jeremiah finishes with a glimmer of hope for the people of Judah. After thirty-seven years of imprisonment, Jehoiachin was released from prison. As Evil-Merodach celebrated his ascension to the throne, he decided to release Jehoiachin as an act of mercy. Evil-Merodach then placed him in a prominent position where he ate at the king's table for the rest of his life. This served as a final reminder in the book that, although judgment had come, God would not forget his people. There would come a time when he would lift them out of captivity once again.

Conclusion: Which brings us to the end of our study in the book of Jeremiah, where I would like to ask you the following question: how would you summarize the book of Jeremiah?

The people won't listen to Jeremiah.

The people don't listen to Jeremiah.

The people should have listened to Jeremiah.

Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, "My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure." - Isaiah 46:10