The Bible Says
Jeremiah 21:1-2 Meaning

In Jeremiah 21:1-2, we encounter the prophet Jeremiah receiving another message during a perilous time for the people of Judah. We read: "The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD when King Zedekiah sent to him Pashhur the son of Malchijah and Zephaniah the priest, the son of Maaseiah, saying," (v. 1). This backdrop places us in late 7th century BC Judah, when King Zedekiah-the last king of Judah (597-586 BC)-was desperately seeking counsel regarding the Babylonian threat. Jeremiah, called as a prophet roughly from 627 to 582 BC, stands ready to pass on the word of the LORD, testifying to God’s continued intervention and communication even in dire circumstances. The mention of King Zedekiah’s messengers, Pashhur and Zephaniah, shows the entrenched religious and political hierarchy in Jerusalem, revealing that the king was concerned about the gravity of their situation enough to reach out to Jeremiah.

Though it might appear as a simple delegation, this act demonstrates the king’s concern and the desire for divine favor. Typically, prophets spoke directly to the people or to the king, but here, the king’s representatives approach Jeremiah. This shift underscores Judah’s desperation in the face of the looming Babylonian forces. Jerusalem itself, perched in the hill country, was threatened by the empire of Babylon-a powerful kingdom led by Nebuchadnezzar (r. 605-562 BC), whose conquests would soon shake the entire region.

Jeremiah 21:2 further details the king’s request: "Please inquire of the LORD on our behalf, for Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon is warring against us; perhaps the LORD will deal with us according to all His wonderful acts, so that the enemy will withdraw from us" (v. 2). In this plea, King Zedekiah hopes that the LORD will again work miracles as in the times of past deliverances-reminiscent of God’s mighty acts in saving His people from their enemies, such as when the LORD delivered Israel from Pharaoh (Exodus 14) or provided victories during the era of the judges (Judges 7). Zedekiah’s words convey a mixture of fear and lingering hope that God’s mercy might spare Jerusalem.

However, the tone also reveals a misunderstanding. Zedekiah seems to treat God’s saving power as a mere trump card, hoping for relief without acknowledging the need for genuine repentance or changed hearts. By mentioning the Babylonian king’s aggression, Zedekiah acknowledges the powerlessness of Judah’s defenses apart from divine intervention. History shows that Nebuchadnezzar’s siege left Jerusalem in ruins by 586 BC (2 Kings 25), highlighting that this fervent request for deliverance comes in the shadow of a devastating defeat if the LORD refuses to intervene.

Jeremiah recounts their anxiety-ridden entreaty to showcase the people’s misplaced trust in desperate last-ditch efforts. Zedekiah’s request for God’s wonderful acts underscores the biblical truth that only true dependence and obedience to God can bring real deliverance, pointing forward to a greater awareness of God’s salvation culminating in Christ’s deliverance from sin (John 3:16).