Dethroned, Demolished, Desecrated, Depopulated

Jeremiah 52:1-34 

 

Chapter 51 ends with  “Thus far are the words of Jeremiah.” yet we have Chapter 52. Appears to have been added by someone other than Jeremiah, perhaps Baruch. He had first-hand knowledge of many of details included here. Chapter 52 begins with Zedekiah, ends with Jehoiachin, nephew of Zedekiah, from 597 BC until after 560 BC, perhaps during the reign of Evil-Merodach’s brother-in-law, Neriglissar. Babylon was in serious decline, would only survive another 20 years.

Josiah (Zebidah) => Jehoiakim (Nehushta) => Jehoiachin [Jeconiah]

Josiah (Hamutal) => Zedekiah

Josiah → Jehoiakim → Jehoiachin → Zedekiah (Jehoiachin’s uncle); Jehoiakim and Zedekiah – half brothers

Writer of this chapter satisfied to record just the facts, not engage in editorial comment. Backs up 10 years prior to final defeat of Jerusalem to set stage for following events as final summary to bring prophecy to close. Certainly presents bleak picture, at same time confirming ancient warning God had given nearly 800 years earlier. Detail by detail consequences for disobedience threatened Deut. 28 came about, confirming God’s sovereign rule over nations including but not limited to Israel.

Like God’s word through Moses left door open for hope following period of judgment, end of Jeremiah does the same. As terrible as situation really was, could have been much worse… and would have been but for God’s grace. We know from personal experience there were survivors, not all Jews lost their lives either by hand of Assyrians or later Babylonians. God promised a remnant would be preserved and has kept his promise.

A. Dethroned  v.1-11

did evil

father Josiah did much to restore proper worship, governing – change of administration, Jehoiakim rolled back many changes

rejected God’s laws, ruled unjustly, encouraged violence, went back to practicing idol-worship and encouraging people to

rebelled

contrary to God’s command to submit to Babylonian authority, complied for while and then turned against Nebuchadnezzar

prompted siege against Jerusalem, horrific living conditions in city and loss of life – all could have been avoided if king obeyed

ran away

what they had for army finally convinced was lost cause, picked dark night, ran for lives, sneaking out back way, then caught

king slaughtered everyone in government incl. Zedekiah’s sons, then blinded and imprisoned him for remainder of life

B. Demolished  v.12-16

burned

ramps, trebuchet’s, battering rams, overwhelming force of army finally breached wall and made impossible to defend

torched everything combustible: doors of gates, interior paneling and curtains in Temple and palace, nothing left untouched

broken

earth and rock walls, 8 or more feet high x 15+feet thick at base, places where houses built up against, breached w/ large gaps

basically doing whatever would leave city open and vulnerable, discourage rebuilding until wall was repaired – think Nehemiah

abandoned

not good idea to leave place entirely empty but… everyone who looked at all skilled or useful carried off to exile in Babylon

only farmers left behind, fields of greater value to them than city – would take nature while to clean up mess inside Jerusalem

C. Desecrated  v.17-23

handled

no respect for significance of anything in Temple other than economic value – did what was necessary to carry back home

anything of little value simply destroyed or made unfit for use – a way to show (in theory) superiority over Israel’s God

looted

finer things carried from Jerusalem Temple to Babylon’s temple, put in storage there for use at king’s discretion/pleasure

perhaps some like Achan, took things for personal use or gain – goal to leave Jerusalem destitute of all resources

beyond repair

reading account from Ezra seems clear no effort made to rehab Solomon’s Temple, only option to begin over rather than clean up and reuse/repurpose

do wonder, since God gave no instructions for use of recycled materials for structure, would it be sacrilege to try it?

D. Depopulated  v.24-30

cheap labor

for society advancing in prosperity / importance, great need for work force to keep up with demand for skilled labor

benefit to Babylonian captors, at same time handicap to Jews – hard to rebuild community or nation w/o people

leaderless

top leadership positions emptied, this time not replaced – ended with rebellion time before, not to happen again

Daniel and three friends good example of advancing Babylonian agenda by bringing in outside capable individuals, no one left to start anything in Jerusalem

penniless

relatively few left in city / land w/o any other than agricultural resources – no way to make anything, no one to sell to

land located on major highways wouldn’t stay underdeveloped forever but… would take much time to begin recovery

E. not without hope  v.31-34

exile not the last word

Jehoiachin not really good guy, (2ki 24.8-17), definitely father’s son – did 37 years time in Babylonian prison

nearly complete reversal, by God’s grace given place of honor, great favor – if former king treated like that, maybe….

not happy

not much else had changed, Jewish people still in same circumstances – only halfway thru exile but certainly not all bad

this exile thing of God’s doing, judgment for wrongdoing and hopefully correction for future – obviously needed some pain to have desired outcome

but hopeful

not a guarantee but… certainly solid indication there could be descendant of David to sit on throne once again

Jeremiah’s declarations not wishful thinking, God’s redemptive plan moving forward just as he planned and foretold it would

Account given in Jeremiah makes plain God is intimately involved in movement of nations, armies, large people groups. Often works through hopes and desires of groups for more this or that – possessions, position, power – things secular historians focus on when writing their books. At same time, God intimately involved in circumstances of individuals, governing and directing steps and situations so in right place at right time to move God’s plan of redemption forward. Whether they fear him or not, he uses them for good of his people and his own glory.

Israel for many years Coming unGlued – every institution, family / church / state fracturing and eventually breaking apart until God took decisive action. Is our nation on similar trajectory? Sure looks like it. How close to the end? God hasn’t made that plain. What he has made plain is we have no reason to doubt his love for his children, his providential care of those who trust him. He is merciful God, gracious as well and we can trust him at all times in all circumstances for all things.

 

The Heart of the Matter

Philemon 1:17-21 

Written to struggling church several years before Philemon

1 Cor 9:19-23  “For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. Now this I do for the gospel’s sake.”

Emphasis here on communicating the Gospel / witnessing / evangelizing, but not persona Paul switched on or off. Not ability only used in that one kind of situation. Describes how he interacted with people of all kinds in person and in writing. Could be blunt, to the point, he was when needed. Here… uses different approach w/ friend Philemon. A skill we could all learn to practice better more of the time.

If anything Paul wrote to Philemon counts as pressure, finally comes in here – “if you consider me a partner”, then later v.19 what seems didn’t want to bring up “you owe me your own self”. Quickly moves on to less intense requests and final closing remarks.

A. partners in the Gospel  v.17

more than brothers

w/o question changes tone, makes plain to readers Paul not simply being politely diplomatic in attempting to persuade

in Paul’s view, he considered Philemon an equal partner, not only acquaintance – checking to be sure feeling is mutual

certainly room for substantial expectations one to the other – not out of line to be asking big things from Philemon

emphasizes Gospel focus

foundation of everything to this point in letter is Christ – doesn’t state partner in the Gospel, but connection strongly implied

providing meeting place, perhaps leadership for local church – either or both would keep evangelistic momentum going

Paul instrumental in planting local churches – always relied on others, often local recognized people w/connections to continue

shared responsibility

not to do anything that would dilute or detract from Gospel message – no hint of double standard, sliding ethical scale

all they did individually and together must reflect well on Christ and reflect him well into largely non-Christian community

same considerations apply here, around world – whether hearing sermon/lesson or watching daily choices, get same message

B. personal guarantee  v.18-19

open-ended, maybe costly

no limit to line of credit extended to Onesimus – whatever he owes, Paul guaranteed payment in full without question

don’t know if Onesimus told Paul all details, if Paul asked or even wanted to know – many other important things to discuss

what it means: price of eternal soul, price of Christ-honoring relationships far above amount of personal indebtedness now

legally binding

might think not great risk for Paul – he and Philemon too good friends for Onesimus’s debt of any size to be called in

Paul didn’t think so, hand wrote and signed IOU – not low-risk gentlemen’s agreement but would stand up in court

Paul treated it seriously and if Philemon needed him to pay, would have done gladly for sake of Christ and Onesimus

remove any material obligation

Paul intended Onesimus not think/feel was restored as a kind of favor, leaving him under sense of owing Philemon something

also didn’t want Philemon thinking he had some kind of leverage, ongoing reminder of Onesimus’s previous bad behavior

intended relationship to be fully restored and more – greater respect / affection / cooperation between former master/slave

C. please, for Christ’s sake  v.20-21

joy from you

Paul trying very hard not to be discouraged / frustrated – few options for direct ministry, carrying out God-given calling

has unusual kind of opportunity, another Timothy-type God sent to him – present for conversion, begins ministry training, then must send him away

add personal grief over losing one who became very close very quickly – truly needs some kind of encouraging response

set my heart at rest

even for efforts of Roman officials/army/etc. improving travel safety, long way Rome to Colosse, much could happen

desired to know of safe arrival of both men and letters, have some idea of how Philemon responded to letter from Paul

would encourage Paul to know Onesimus’s relationships were as should be among followers of Christ… in home and church

validate my confidence

wanted to know if Onesimus displaying same character and gifts to Philemon – did he observe same ministry potential

important to know for planning what Philemon intended to do – did he find place of service in local church for Onesimus

would he send Onesimus back to Paul to serve as co-laborer – if not, Paul disappointed but understanding God’s purpose

D. picturing Christ

Christ’s guarantee to the Father

think about what Christ in effect says to Father: if [fill in your name] has wronged you or owes anything, put that on my account

is what must take place for our faith in Christ to be accepted by God – he must view us as having no outstanding debt

Christ’s payment, his life for ours, has no “spending limit” either – whatever sinner owes is fully covered by his sacrifice

one more thing – each of us no more deserving of gracious payment of sin debt than runaway slave deserved apostle’s help

real-life application

certainly not kind of opportunity most of us faced with – 21st century cultures substantially different from 1st century Rome

don’t miss the point: our task to in every situation God gives us to think/say/do what will bring glory to God, honor to Christ

reinforce Onesimus’s Christian commitment

to see / experience personally example of Christ-like love and action like Onesimus did clear evidence of following Christ

way more than words – loving God with heart, soul, mind, strength, iow all of our being will be visible to all who see us

if Onesimus had any reservations about both Paul and Philemon’s sincerity, commitment to Gospel, this should overcome

Not only has Christ paid our debt in full, he equips us to live new way of life pleasing to him. Good news of Gospel has great meaning for next life, our ultimate destiny, also has bearing on this life.

2 Cor 5.17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

All sorts of pressure / temptation to live life the old way. Determine to live new life new way depending on Christ who has given us new hearts, new desires, new abilities. Then give good answer when asked about our hope, share truth about genuine hope found in Christ.