Reading for September 25th

THE INVASION'S AFTERMATH Chs. 21-25: these loosely connected chapters assume that the nation has already been invaded by Babylon. So, far the book has presented captivity only in symbolic terms, but the invasion is described more realistically in 21.1-10. These chapters focus on survival in the battle's aftermath. Prose narratives offer advice to the survivors (21.1-10; 24.1-10). Poems explain how the invasion happened by blaming kings and prophets (21.11-23.40). National survival is promised (25,1-14) and international justice foretold (25.15-38). The voice of a narrator is more prominent than in previous chapters, and these chapters refer more directly to historical dates and persons than do earlier chapters, Read Jeremiah 21.1-10. In 21.1-10: The attack. In verses 1-2: Jeremiah presents a prophecy to messengers sent to him by King Zedekiah of Judah. Zedekiah hopes that God will send Babylonians and their king Nebuchadrezzar, away as in the past (Isa 36-37). In verses 3-7: But instead of sending the Baylonians (also called Chaldeans) away, God will bring them into the city and fight against Judah. In verses 8-9: In langauge that appears also in Deut 30.11-10, the text urges them to "choose lfe." To live, they must surrender to Babylon. Comments or Questions..