Reading for October 29th

Read Jeremiah 39.1-18. In straightforward prose, this chapter recounts the Babylonian invasion of Jerusalem and its consequences for Zedekiah and Jeremiah. The narrative's major interest is not the siege but the king's cowardice, escape, and capture, and Jeremiah's release. In verse 3: Babylonian officals have taken possesion of the city and sit at the gate to govern. In verse 9: After Zedekiah and his family meet a horrible fate, the Babylonian captain distributes occupied land to the poor, perhaps to gain their support. In verses 11-18: Jeremiah gains Babylonian favor and is released to the protection of Gedaliah, the Judean governor appointed by the Babylonians to replace the king. Jeremiah's release has symbolic meaning. He is the model of obedience in captivity, and he returns home as exiles hope to do. In verse 18: Because he trusts, he gains his life as a prize of war. Comments or Questions..