Jerusalem has Fallen, but God Reigns! (Jeremiah 39)

Scripture reading – Jeremiah 39

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* Please note that words and phrases in brackets are the author’s amplification.

Jeremiah 39 – The Final Siege

The Fall of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 39:1-3)

The Babylonian siege of Jerusalem lasted 18 months, and the sorrows and afflictions within the city were overwhelming, including starvation that drove some to cannibalism (Jeremiah 38:2-9; 52:4-6). (We will consider the city’s sufferings further when we study the Book of Lamentations, specifically Lamentations 4:4-5, 9-11, and 18.)

King Zedekiah’s Flight and Capture (Jeremiah 39:4-7)

Having failed to heed Jeremiah’s counsel to surrender the city to Nebuchadnezzar, King Zedekiah fled Jerusalem (Jeremiah 39:4) but was pursued by Chaldean soldiers, who overtook him near Jericho (Jeremiah 39:5). The Babylonian soldiers brought Zedekiah to Nebuchadnezzar, who determined his fate and pronounced judgment (Jeremiah 39:5).

As Jeremiah foretold, Zedekiah’s life was spared; however, his sons were slain “before his eyes: also the king of Babylon slew all the nobles of Judah” (Jeremiah 39:6). To add to his sorrows, Nebuchadnezzar “put out Zedekiah’s eyes, and bound him with chains, to carry him to Babylon” (Jeremiah 39:7; Ezekiel 12:13), where he was no doubt paraded as a trophy of Babylon’s war with Judah.

The Destruction of Jerusalem and Captivity of the People (Jeremiah 39:8-10) 

Nebuchadnezzar was not merely content with capturing Jerusalem; he also determined to destroy the city and “burned the king’s house, and the houses of the people, with fire” (Jeremiah 39:8). The city’s walls were then leveled to the ground (Jeremiah 39:8). The remnant of the people who survived the siege was led away to Babylon. Babylon left behind only the poorest people, who were to occupy the land (Jeremiah 39:9-10).

The Prophet Jeremiah Spared (Jeremiah 39:11-14)

In a testimony of God’s sovereignty and an ironic but providential twist of fate, Nebuchadnezzar determined to release Jeremiah from prison. Concerning the prophet, Nebuchadnezzar commanded, “Take him, and look well to him, and do him no harm; but do unto him even as he shall say unto thee” (Jeremiah 39:12). Jeremiah was released to go home and minister to the remnant left behind (Jeremiah 39:11-14; Jeremiah 40:1-6). 

The Protection Awarded Ebedmelech the Ethiopian (Jeremiah 39:15-18)

Jeremiah did not forget Ebed-melech, the Ethiopian man who interceded for him when he was in the dungeon and left to die (Jeremiah 39:16). For his faith in the LORD and his faithfulness to Jeremiah, the LORD delivered Ebed-melech from the sword as He promised (Jeremiah 39:17-18).

Closing thoughts –

History is “His [God’s] Story” and a testimony to the LORD’s sovereignty and providential work. The God of the Bible has revealed Himself as the Creator, Sustainer, and Sovereign of all things. The LORD is El Shaddai, the Almighty God, and He directs even men’s evil purposes to ends that are good for His people and His glory (Romans 8:28-29). 

Whatever circumstances you face, or whoever your enemy might be, they are neither greater nor beyond the sovereignty of El Shaddai – Almighty God!

“Blessed be the name of the LORD!”

Copyright © 2026 – Travis D. Smith 

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