Reading for November 27th

THE END In Ch 52: The prose conclusion of the book reports the end of national life in Judah, but niether God nor Jeremiah appear in it. The purpose of this bleak report maybe to describe the fulfillment of Jeremiah's prophetic word. The setting is the exile, when Babylonian defeat is far from sight. The chapter nearly identical tot he account of Judha's fall that concludes the book of Kings (2 kings 24:18-25.30). The narrative divides into six scenes. Read Jeremiah 52.1-16. In verses 1-3: Kings Jehoiakim and Zedekiah angered God and Judah and Jerusalem were expelled from the presence. In verses 4-11 Zedekiah's failed escape and the tragedy of his capture and imprisonment and death suggest the possible fate awaiting Judah. In verses 12-16: The people are deported and divided with the poor remaining in the land. Comments or questions..