Jeremiah 38:17

Arabic 2016 (الكِتاب المُقَدَّس: التَّرْجَمَةُ العَرَبِيَّةُ المُبَسَّطَةُ)

حِينَئِذٍ، قَالَ إرْمِيَا لِصِدْقِيَّا: «هَذَا هُوَ مَا يَقُولُهُ القَدِيرِ، إلَهُ إسْرَائِيلَ: ‹إنْ خَرَجْتَ إلَى قَادَةِ مَلِكِ بَابِلَ فَإنَّكَ سَتَحيَا، وَلَنْ تُحرَقَ هَذِهِ المَدِينَةُ بِالنَّارِ، وَسَتَحيَا أنْتَ وَأهْلُ بَيْتِكَ.

What Does This Mean?

In this verse, Jeremiah speaks to King Zedekiah, telling him that if he surrenders to the Babylonian king's officials, his life and the city will be spared from destruction. The message comes directly from God, promising safety if Zedekiah chooses to comply.

Explained for Children

Imagine you're playing a game where if you follow the leader's rules, you get a prize and everyone wins. In this story, Jeremiah is like a coach telling Zedekiah that if he listens to the other team's captain, they all stay safe and happy.

Historical Background

Jeremiah, a prophet of the Old Testament, wrote this during the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem around 586 BCE. The audience was King Zedekiah and the Israelites who were facing the threat of Babylonian conquest. The cultural setting was one of political and religious turmoil in Judah.

Living It Out Today

In a modern scenario, imagine a company facing a legal challenge. If the company's leaders agree to the terms proposed by the opposing side, they can avoid bankruptcy and keep their jobs. This verse reminds us that sometimes compliance can lead to preservation and peace.

Topics

• obedience
• protection
• surrender
• divine promise
• survival
• wisdom

Related Verses

• Jeremiah 21:9
• 2 Kings 25:7
• Ezekiel 17:15-16
• Isaiah 37:33-35
• Matthew 10:28

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean to 'go forth unto the king of Babylon's princes'?

It means to surrender to the Babylonian leadership, which was seen as a way to avoid further destruction and to ensure personal safety.

Why does God offer Zedekiah this choice?

God offers Zedekiah this choice to show mercy and to provide an opportunity for survival and peace, emphasizing the consequences of obedience versus disobedience.

How does this verse relate to the concept of surrender?

This verse shows that surrender can be seen as a wise choice when it leads to preservation and peace, rather than continued conflict and destruction.

What can we learn about divine promises from this verse?

We learn that God's promises often come with conditions, and that following God's guidance can lead to protection and salvation in difficult circumstances.