1. God is looking for real change (21:1-14)

King Zedekiah asked Jeremiah to pray, hoping God would send the Babylonian armies away like he sent the Assyrian armies away in the past. God was not moved by such an insincere and temporary inquiry. God told them what was required to be saved. They needed to believe in and follow God's way of salvation. The rulers needed to change and administer justice and rescue the oppressed. In doing so they were choosing life and not death.

2. Another king was called to choose (22:1-9)

Years earlier, Jeremiah delivered a message directly to another king of Judah. This new king would be judged for his total neglect of office. He was nothing like his father, Josiah. He failed to practice justice and righteousness. God gave him a choice, to choose life or death. If he repented, kings who sit on David's throne would ride into Jerusalem. If he didn't repent then his palace would be ruined.