Chapter 38
Jeremiah persecuted by the princes
Lecture 1
Jeremiah thrown into a pit
38:1 And Shephatiah, the son of Mathan, and Gedaliah, the son of Pashhur, and Jucal, the son of Milchiah, heard the words which Jeremiah spoke to the entire people, saying:
38:2 thus says the Lord : whosoever shall remain in this city shall die by the sword, and by famine, and by pestilence. But whoever shall flee to the Chaldeans shall live, and his soul shall be safe and live.
38:3 Thus says the Lord : this city shall surely be handed over into the hand of the army of the king of Babylon, and he shall take it.
38:4 And the princes said to the king, ‘We ask that this man be killed, for he intentionally weakens the hands of the men of war who remain in this city, and the hands of all the people, speaking to them according to these words. For this man surely does not seek peace for this people, but evil.’
38:5 And king Zedekiah said, ‘Behold, he is in your hands, for it is not permitted for the king to deny you anything.’
38:6 Therefore, they took Jeremiah and cast him into the pit of Milchiah, the son of Amelech, which was in the courtyard of the king. And they lowered Jeremiah down with ropes into the pit, in which there was no water, but mud. And so Jeremiah went down into the mud.
38:7 Now Ebed-Melech the Ethiopian, a eunuch man who was in the house of the king, heard that they had put Jeremiah into the pit. Moreover, the king was sitting in the gate of Benjamin.
38:8 And Ebed-Melech went forth from the house of the king, and spoke to the king, saying:
38:9 ‘My lord the king, these men have done evil in all that they have done to Jeremiah the prophet, casting him into a pit, that he should die there of hunger; for there is no longer any bread in the city.’
38:10 And so, the king commanded Ebed-Melech the Ethiopian, saying, ‘Take with you hence thirty men, and raise Jeremiah from the pit, before he die.’
38:11 Therefore, taking with him thirty men, Ebed-Melech entered the house of the king which was beneath the treasury, and took from there old rags, and old things, which had rotted, and let them down to Jeremiah by ropes.
38:12 And Ebed-Melech the Ethiopian said to Jeremiah, ‘Put these old rags and these torn and rotten things under your arms, and upon the ropes.’ Therefore, Jeremiah did so.
38:13 And they drew Jeremiah out with ropes, and brought him forth from the pit: but Jeremiah remained in the vestibule of the prison.
201 . In this section is shown the persecution of the prophet because of his true prediction, and it is divided into three parts.
First, he gives the prediction: Jeremiah spoke .
Even though he was in prison, nevertheless, many would come to him, and through them he threatened death to those who remained: whosoever shall remain in this city shall die . And he promises safety to those who flee: but whoever shall flee . . . shall live .
The taking of the city: this city shall surely be handed over . He also mentioned these three things above in chapter 21 (Jer 21:7). For this reason, it seems to continue, according to the historical order, from that point.
Second, he speaks of the persecution when he speaks of the wicked petition of the princes, for they seek his death: and the princes said . Let us lie in wait the just man, for he is contrary to our works (Wis 2:12). They accuse his preaching: for he intentionally weakens the hands of the men , which is contrary to the prophetic duty. Strengthen the feeble hands, and confirm the week knees (Isa 35:3). And they pervert his intention: for this man surely does not seek peace . Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth? (Gal 4:16). But Jeremiah did not wish to destroy the will to resist, but he said those things for the well-being and safety of the people by the command of the Lord.
He also speaks of the foolish compliance of the king: and king Zedekiah said . For this reason, he is not excused, even though he sinned less. Therefore, he who handed me over to you has the greater sin (John 19:11).
He also speaks of the careful execution of the plan: therefore, they took Jeremiah and cast him into the pit , a cistern without water. They have put me in the lower pit, in the darkness, and in the shadow of death (Ps 87:7). He speaks of the prophet’s being let down: and so Jeremiah went down into the mud . I am stuck fast in the deep mud, there is no sure footing (Ps 87:3).
Third, the liberation is mentioned. Here, he makes two points.
First, that he is freed from prison;
second, that he is freed from the fear of death, at and king Zedekiah sent and took Jeremiah unto him (Jer 38:14).
Concerning the former, there are four points.
First, he describes the petitioner, Ebed-Melech , which signifies “servant of the king,” which he calls him because of his humility. Paul a servant of Jesus Christ (Rom 1:1). Ethiopian , because of his mortification of the flesh. Ethiopia shall stretch out her hand to God (Ps 67:32). I am black, but beautiful (Song 1:4). A man , because of the strength of his spirit; eunuch , because of his chastity. There are eunuchs who have castrated themselves because of the kingdom of heaven (Matt 19:12). Who was in the house of the king . Our conversation is in the heavens (Phil 3:20). The eunuch who has not worked iniquity with his hands, nor thought wickedness against God, to him shall be given the choice gift of faith, and a most acceptable lot in the temple of God (Wis 3:14).
Second, he speaks of the petition when he designates the place of the petition: moreover, the king was sitting in the gate of Benjamin , which certainly led to the tribe of Benjamin.
And he gives the petition: and Ebed-Melech went forth from the house of the king, and spoke to the king . . . for there is no longer any bread in the city ; it is as though he were saying, “From the time when he was imprisoned, bread has failed.” Or it was not necessary for him to be imprisoned, since we are all besieged and in want. Those things by which a man sins are the same also by which he is tormented (Wis 11:17).
Third, the obtaining of the request is mentioned: and so, the king commanded .
Fourth, the execution of the command is spoken of: therefore, taking with him thirty men, Ebed-Melech entered the house of the king . . . and took from there old rags, and old things, which had rotted , because of the hardships they had endured. Remember those who are set over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation (Heb 13:7). Or, literally, because they are softer. By ropes , of the commandments of God. A three-ply rope is broken with difficulty (Eccl 4:12).
In the vestibule of the prison , that is, in the atrium. For the room before the chamber of the king is called a vestibule, where garments are kept; for this reason, every atrium is called a vestibule.
Lecture 2
Secret prophecy to the king
38:14 And king Zedekiah sent and took Jeremiah the prophet unto him to the third gate which was in the house of the Lord . And the king said to Jeremiah, ‘I shall ask you a thing, do not hide anything from me.’
38:15 But Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, ‘If I tell you, will you not kill me? And if I give you counsel you will not listen to me.’
38:16 Therefore, king Zedekiah swore secretly to Jeremiah, saying, ‘As the Lord lives, who made this soul within us, I will not kill you, and I will not give you over into the hands of these men who seek your soul.’
38:17 And Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: if you shall indeed go forth to the princes of the king of Babylon, your soul shall live, and this city shall not be burned with fire, and you and your house shall be saved.
38:18 But if you will not go forth to the princes of the kings of Babylon, this city shall be given over into the hands of the Chaldeans, and they shall burn it with fire. And you shall not escape out of their hand.’
38:19 And king Zedekiah said to Jeremiah, ‘I am afraid of the Jews, who have fled over to the Chaldeans, lest I be given over into their hands and they mock me.’
38:20 But Jeremiah responded, and said to him: ‘They shall not hand you over. Hear, I beseech you, the word of the Lord which I speak to you, and it shall be well with you, and your soul shall live.
38:21 But if you are unwilling to go forth, this is the word which the Lord has shown me:
38:22 behold, all the women who have remained in the house of the king of Judah shall be led out to the princes of the king of Judah, and they shall say, ‘Your men of peace have deceived you, and prevailed against you. They have plunged your feet into mud and into a slippery place, and they have withdrawn from you.’
38:23 And all your wives and your sons shall be led out to the Chaldeans, and you shall not escape out of their hands, but shall be caught in the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall burn this city with fire.’
38:24 Therefore, Zedekiah said unto Jeremiah, ‘Let no one know these words, and you shall not die.
38:25 But if the princes hear that I have spoken with you, and they come to you, and say to you, ‘Tell us what you said to the king; do not hide it from us, and we shall not kill you; and what the king said to you.’
38:26 You shall say to them that I presented my petitions before the king, that he should not order me to be taken back to the house of Jonathan, lest I should die there.’
38:27 Therefore, all the princes came to Jeremiah, and they asked him, and he spoke to them according to all the words which the king had commanded him; and they ceased from him, for they had heard nothing.
202 . Here, he is freed from the fear of death, his safety having been granted to him by the king.
First, the agreement for his safety is spoken of;
second, the keeping of the agreement, at but Jeremiah remained in the vestibule of the prison (Jer 38:28).
Concerning the former, there are two points.
First, their reciprocal requests are mentioned. For the king seeks a divine response or counsel: I shall ask . I adjure you again and again that you do not tell me anything in the name of the Lord except that which is true (1 Kgs 22:16).
And the prophet seeks a promise of safety: but Jeremiah said to Zedekiah . If I tell you, you will not believe me (Luke 22:67). For it could be read as a question or a remission.
Second, their mutual resolution is given.
For the king first makes a promise of safety: therefore, king Zedekiah swore . . . I will not kill you , lest evil befall me. I the Lord have called you in justice, and I have taken your hand, and saved you (Isa 42:6).
Second, the prophet gives a counsel of salvation. And concerning this, he makes four points.
First, the salutary exhortation of the prophet is mentioned: and Jeremiah said . And the option is given to the king of choosing good or evil. Life and death are before a man, and whichever he pleases, shall be given to him (Sir 15:18).
Second, the excuse of the king is given: and the king said . . . I am afraid of the Jews , whose goods he had destroyed because they had fled to the Chaldeans. Above: each one guards himself from his neighbor, and has no confidence in any brother; because every brother shall surely supplant, and every friend shall walk deceitfully (Jer 9:4).
Third, the exclusion of his response is given: Jeremiah responded , by which he excludes fear, if he should listen to his advice: they shall not hand you over . If you are willing, and will listen to me, you shall eat the good things of the earth (Isa 1:19).
He gives a threat, if he should disdain to listen: but if you are unwilling .
But he threatens the contempt of the women: behold, all the women shall say . For by insults they reproach the foolish counsel of their friends: your men have deceived , as much as it was in their power, and prevailed , because you believed them; your men of peace , who promised peace to you. O my people, those who call you blessed, deceive you, and destroy the way of your steps (Isa 3:12). The resultant harm: they have plunged your feet into the mud , of sin; into a slippery place , of punishment. Let their ways be dark and slippery (Ps 34:5). And their departure: they have withdrawn from you . There is a friend for his own time, and he shall not remain in the day of tribulation (Sir 6:9).
He also threatens the capture of his family: and all your wives . They shall take of your sons who shall come forth from you, whom you shall beget, and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon (Isa 39:7). And of his own person: and you shall not escape . There was none in the day of the Lord’s fury who escaped and was left (Lam 2:22). He also threatens the capture of the city: and he shall burn this city with fire . I shall kindle a fire in the wall of Rabbah, and it shall devour the houses thereof (Amos 1:14).
Fourth, the king asks that the counsel which he has given should be kept secret: therefore, Zedekiah said unto Jeremiah .
Concerning this, he makes three points.
First, he asks that the counsel should be kept secret: let no one know . It is good to hide the secret of the king, but it is honorable to reveal and confess the works of God (Tob 12:7).
Second, he teaches him the manner in which it is to be kept secret: but if the princes hear , that he may keep silent as to the truth and not speak a falsehood. He who governs his lips is most prudent (Prov 10:19).
Third, the fulfillment of the petition is mentioned: therefore, all the princes came to Jeremiah . He who walks deceitfully reveals hidden things; but he who is a friend conceals what is committed to him by a friend (Prov 11:13).
Lecture 3
Jeremiah remains in prison
38:28 But Jeremiah remained in the vestibule of the prison until the day when Jerusalem was captured. And it came to pass that Jerusalem was captured.
203 . Here, the fulfillment of his request is mentioned: in the vestibule . He was not put in the pit, in keeping with his request.