Time: Nebuchadnezzar (king of Babylon), his army, kingdoms under his dominion, and peoples -- fighting against Jerusalem and its cities (only Lachish and Azekah left).
What the Lord is saying: Jeremiah, go speak to Zedekiah (king of Judah) and let him know that I am giving this city (Jerusalem??) into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar. He will burn it. Zedekiah, you will not escape. You will be captured. You will see Nebuchadnezzar in person, face to face, in Babylon.
But, Zedekiah, you will not die by the sword, but rather in peace. People will burn spices for you and lament for you.
Problem: Zedekiah had made a covenant of liberty with his people, having them not enslave people (Jews) after 7 years. The male and female citizens, however, listened momentarily but then took the slaves back.
The Lord issues a consequence:
- Liberty to the sword
- Pestilence
- Famine
- I will make you a horror to all the kingdoms of the earth
- I will make men like the calf that they cut in tow and passed between its parts
- I will give you into the hand of your enemies
- Your dead bodies shall be food for birds and beasts of the earth.
- Zedekiah will be given into the hand of their enemies.
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