Chapter 34 – Liberty

Chapter 34 starts amidst the tumult of war. Babylon, led by King Nebuchadnezzar is laying siege to the city and Zedekiah, king in Judah, is resisting, trying to stand up against Babylon. The word of the Lord comes to Jeremiah. Jeremiah is told to tell Zedekiah that Judah will be defeated and Zedekiah himself will be taken captive, but that he will not die by the sword, but rather in peace. As events are cascading there must be the sense that nothing is certain, that everything may be coming apart. There is also possibly the assumption that if God is present, there will be victory. Then comes the word of the Lord, “You will be defeated. And I am with you.” 

The remainder of the chapter is a reminder that God frees the oppressed and the enslaved. His judgment is upon the people, because, although they are descendant from slaves, they have come to enslave people themselves. God will not abide this. Then or now, or ever, God will not abide this.