August 4, 2018
What does it say?
Jerusalem was about to be destroyed and its people taken into captivity. The Jews were rebuked for breaking their vow to free their slaves.
What does it mean?
Jeremiah’s warnings of God’s judgment had begun to take place as Babylon attacked the outskirts of Jerusalem. Zedekiah’s proclamation to free all slaves seems to have been an attempt to ward off God’s wrath by one corporate act of obedience. They had broken God’s Law by not releasing Hebrew indentured slaves every seven years. The Israelites initially followed Zedekiah’s command but were quick to break their promise when the Babylonian army withdrew temporarily. Ironically, God’s punishment for their disobedience was declaring their “freedom” to die by the sword.
How should I respond?
As children we were told, “Don’t make a promise that you don’t intend to keep.” Imagine what life would be like if we all stopped to think about our promises. By definition, a promise is a lasting agreement that is not to be broken. Too often, many of us fail to keep our word to both God and others. Because Christ is truth, He desires His followers to be people of integrity whose “Yes” means “Yes” and whose “No” means “No.” What promises have you made but failed to keep? Whose forgiveness do you need to seek? Start to correct the situation today. Determine to be a person whose promises are kept.