King Zedekiah asked, “Jeremiah, what’s your message for me?” As always, Jeremiah spoke
plainly: “IF you surrender to the King of Babylon, you and your family will live; the city will not be
burned.” As always, the king listened but did not hear. So the historian wrote, “Zedekiah rebelled
against the king of Babylon.” He (and many others) paid dearly for his rebellion.

• Imagine that you are King Zedekiah. Jeremiah has said the only safe course is to submit to the King of Babylon, to be a loyal, tribute-paying vassal. What inner and outer forces would make you want to ignore Jeremiah, and seek a pact with Egypt to throw off Babylon’s rule? Do similar forces ever make it harder for you to obey God in your day-to-day life in 2011?
• “Judah went into captivity, away from her land.” Zedekiah’s weak leadership had dire results, not just for him, but for his entire nation. How well are you serving those who depend on you in your family, your church, your workplace or other settings?