Jeremiah 38:16
French (La Bible expliquée)
Mais le roi Sédécias fit à Jérémie ce serment secret: « Par le Seigneur vivant, qui nous a donné la vie, je te jure que je te laisserai en vie et que je ne te livrerai pas à ces hommes qui veulent ta mort. » Le roi Sédécias rencontre Jérémie une dernière fois avant la prise de Jérusalem. Dans une tentative désespérée, le roi cherche une solution pour épargner le malheur à Jérusalem. Jérémie répète que la seule solution consiste à se rendre volontairement pour éviter le désastre d'une défaite. En lisant ce texte, on peut comprendre le déchirement que connaît le roi. Il semble que la voie proposée par le prophète soit trop difficile à suivre. Quoi qu'il en soit, Jérémie affirme que le roi finira comme prisonnier d'une façon ou d'une autre, qu'il se rende ou qu'il soit fait captif.
What Does This Mean?
In this verse, King Zedekiah promises Jeremiah in private that he will not harm him or hand him over to those who want to hurt him. Zedekiah swears by the living God that made their souls.
Explained for Children
Imagine if your friend promised you they wouldn't let anyone hurt you, even if others wanted to. That's what the king did for Jeremiah. He said, 'I promise I won't hurt you or let anyone else do it,' and he made this promise using the most important thing in his life.
Historical Background
This verse comes from the Book of Jeremiah, written by the prophet Jeremiah in the 6th century BC. It was written during the time of the Babylonian invasion of Jerusalem. The audience was the people of Judah, and the cultural setting was one of political turmoil and divine judgment.
Living It Out Today
Today, this verse can teach us about the importance of keeping promises, especially when those promises involve protecting others from harm. For instance, if you promise a friend you will keep their secret, you should honor that promise just like King Zedekiah honored his promise to Jeremiah.
Topics
PromiseProtectionIntegrityLeadershipDivine ProvidenceJudgment
Related Verses
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Zedekiah make this promise to Jeremiah?
Zedekiah made this promise to Jeremiah to assure him of his safety and loyalty, despite the political pressures and threats against Jeremiah.
What does it mean when Zedekiah says, 'As the Lord liveth, that made us this soul'?
This phrase means Zedekiah is swearing by God's life and the act of creation, emphasizing the seriousness and binding nature of his promise.
How does this verse relate to leadership?
This verse highlights the importance of a leader's integrity and the impact of their promises, showing that a true leader protects those under their care.
What can we learn about trust from this verse?
We learn that trust is built on the foundation of keeping one's word, especially in difficult circumstances, as Zedekiah did with Jeremiah.