Jerusalem received a short relief from the Babylonian siege when the army of Egypt marched against them (5). But Jeremiah warned that God's decision of judgment still stood (6-10). After this, when Jeremiah tried to leave Jerusalem, he was falsely accused of deserting to the Babylonians. Because Jeremiah proclaimed God's judgment by the hand of the Babylonians, people wrongly thought he was on the side of their enemies. Even though we desire only to speak the truth from God's point of view, we may be misunderstood, especially when people only think in terms of human loyalties.

Jeremiah was arrested, beaten, and imprisoned in a dungeon cell (15-16). The conditions were so horrible that Jeremiah felt he could not survive there much longer (20). Eventually, King Zedekiah sent for Jeremiah to ask if there was any new word from the Lord. But Jeremiah did not change his message (17). Then he spoke up for himself, defending his innocence. The king made Jeremiah's situation more bearable, letting him be held in the courtyard of the guard, though he did not release him (18-21). Though Jeremiah suffered much, he was great in God's sight because he did not compromise his integrity or his message.


Application: Father, thank you that you watch over your servants even in persecution. Strengthen me to keep my integrity even when I am suffering.
One Word: Stay faithful to God's message