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Jeremiah, Chapter 27
Jeremiah Wears an Ox Yoke
Micah the Morashtite rolled in the dust (Mic.1:10); Isaiah went naked and barefoot for three years (Isa.20:2-3); and here Jeremiah wears an ox yoke on his neck, and did so in the presence of the King of Judah and his court, including the ambassadors of five foreign nations! Such strange behavior was performed by these prophets to go along with their declaring and foretelling prophecy.
Since Jeremiah cannot persuade people to submit to God's warnings, and to prevent the destruction of their country by the king of Babylon, this persuades them to submit to God's foresight, by yielding to the king of Babylon, and becoming branches to him, which was the wisest course they could now take, and would be an easing of the calamity, and prevent the laying of their country waste by fire and sword; the sacrificing of their liberties and would save their lives.
Jeremiah gives this counsel, in God's Name, to the kings of the neighboring nations, that they might make the best of the bad, assuring them that there was NO remedy, but they must serve the king of Babylon; but yet in time there would be relief, for Babylon’s dominion would last just 70 years (vs. 1-11). Jeremiah gives this counsel particularly to Zedekiah king of Judah (vs. 12-15) and to the priests and people, assuring them that the king of Babylon would still proceed against them and a patient submission would be the only way to lessen the calamity and make it easier (vs. 16-22). IF they would just have listened to him, the prophet would have directed them in the paths of true course of action as well as of true godliness.
Babylon’s dominion would last 70 years (Jer.27:1-11)
Jer. 27:1 In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah came this word unto Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, (KJV)
Difficulty arises from this verse as to the date. In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim, this refer to Jehoiakim (around 609/608 B.C.; as chapter 26). Or possibly, the correct reading is Zedekiah (as in verses 3, 12 and 28:1), which would put the date at the outset (of his 597-586 B.C. reign).
This was probably in the first year or two of the reign of Jehoiakim.
Jer. 27:2 Thus saith the LORD to me; Make thee bonds and yokes, and put them upon thy neck, (KJV)
Thus saith the LORD to me; Make thee bonds and yokes . . . make bonds and yokes . . . this symbolized bondage to Babylon. The yoke was bound on Jeremiah’s neck to picture Judah’s captivity (verse 12), then sent to 5 kings of nearby nations who would also be under Babylon’s power (verse 3; Jer. 28:10-12).
Many times, the LORD would have the prophet do something physically that would show the condition of the people in the land. The yoke that was put on Jeremiah's neck, was to indicate the people being under the yoke to Babylon. When Jeremiah had this yoke upon his neck it showed the people exactly their own condition.
Jer. 27:3 And send them to the king of Edom, and to the king of Moab, and to the king of the Ammonites, and to the king of Tyrus, and to the king of Zidon, by the hand of the messengers which come to Jerusalem unto Zedekiah king of Judah; (KJV)
The princes that are named had sent their ambassadors to Zedekiah, suggesting an alliance against Nebuchadnezzar. They are named in the same order as in the prophecy of (Jer. 25:21-22), which had been delivered fifteen years before. The prophecy then delivered had been partly fulfilled, but these princes were still struggling against it.
*****The prophet is commissioned to tell all of them that their efforts are in vain, and that the supremacy of Babylon was, for the time, part of God’s order, for the chastisement of the nations. It appears from this that Jeremiah made a yoke for each leader to demonstrate their being in bonds to Babylon. All of the countries listed here were under bondage to Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. Zedekiah was made king of Judah by Nebuchadnezzar. Zedekiah's name had been Mattaniah, and was a very wicked king.
Jer. 27:4 And command them to say unto their masters, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Thus shall ye say unto your masters; (KJV)
And command them to say unto their masters . . . the representatives were to take Jeremiah's (God's) message back to their kings. The importance of this statement lies in the fact that one can see that there were methods by which God's prophetic warnings could be communicated to Gentiles. This shows that the foreign nations in Israelite prophecy (Jer. 46-51; Isa. 13-23; Eze. 25-32) were meant for those nations and show God's compassion by providing warnings to them before executing judgment (Am. 3:7).
*****Jeremiah is sent with authority, and ordered to speak, having his orders from the King of kings and Lord of lords (1 Tim.6:15; Rev.17:14; 19:16). A much greater Master than the representatives had, and to order them to tell their masters in his Master's Name; as follows. Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, Who, although in a strange way was the God of Israel, yet was LORD of the whole world, and had all the armies of heaven and earth at his command, to enforce His power and authority. For that reason what He says, should be paid attention to. LORD of hosts (LORD of armies) is found in 273 Scriptures in God’s Word.
The yokes had been carried from Jeremiah to the king by messengers. They are not only to take them a yoke, but also carry a message to them as well. The message is spoken to the messengers by Jeremiah, but actually it was from the Words of the LORD of hosts.
Jer. 27:5 I have made the earth, the man and the beast that are upon the ground, by my great power and by my outstretched arm, and have given it unto whom it seemed meet unto me. (KJV)
I have made the earth, the man and the beast that are upon the ground . . . the Earth was made by Almighty God on the first day (Gen.1:1-2), and man and beast on the sixth day of the Creation (Gen. 1:24-31). The Earth is still supported by God, and man and beast continue on it in succession. This may be mentioned to show the LORD’S right and authority to dispose of the Earth, and all in it, at His pleasure, because all was founded on His Creation and sustaining of it, and all creatures in it, and was created:
By my great power, and by my outstretched arm . . . nothing but Almighty God could have ever created the Earth out of the original chaos of nothing, bringing that into form and order, and produced out of it such creatures as man and beast. And nothing but Almighty God could continue the Earth in its being, with a succession of creatures on it.
And have given it unto whom it seemed meet unto me . . . Some part of it to one, and some to another; and more to one than to another. But to none according to their merit, but according to God’s own sovereign will and pleasure (Ps.115:15-16; Dan.4:17, 25, 32), not for their merits, but of the LORD’S own good pleasure. God explains that since He is Creator of all the Earth and all that is in it, He can give any part of it to whomever He chooses. The Creation must obey its Creator. God not only created the Earth, but mankind as well, and He can do with His creation as He wishes.
*****God is here declaring His sovereignty over His Creation. It is interesting that at this point the Babylonian Kingdom had risen to world dominance. It was a world-dominating empire. Nebuchadnezzar, whom God had placed on the throne of Babylon was boasting of the greatness of the Babylonian kingdom. Dan. 4:4 I Nebuchadnezzar was at rest in mine house, and flourishing in my palace: (KJV) Dan. 4:17 This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men. (KJV) Dan. 4:23-25 And whereas the king saw a watcher and an holy one coming down from heaven, and saying, Hew the tree down, and destroy it; yet leave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him; 24 This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the most High, which is come upon my lord the king: 25 That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will. (KJV) Dan. 4:30-31 The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty? 31 While the word was in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee. (KJV)
Nebuchadnezzar went insane. He went out in the fields and ate grass with the oxen. He lived like a wild man. His hair grew like feathers and his nails like claws. He had a period of insanity for seven seasons until he would acknowledge that the God of Heaven rules and reigns over the kingdoms of man and sets on the thrones those whom He desires. Nebuchadnezzar finally recognized that God reigns. He came out of his insanity.
Dan. 4:34-37 And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation: 35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou? 36 At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me. 37 Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase. (KJV)
It is interesting that here in Jeremiah we have the very same thing that is being declared. Dear one, God gives authority to those whom He would. He raises up the powers that He desires. And so God has raised up Babylon, so it is foolish for those kings to think of rebelling against Babylon. God has raised it up as His instrument, God has raised up the Babylonian Kingdom.
Jer. 27:6 And now have I given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, my servant; and the beasts of the field have I given him also to serve him. (KJV)
And now have I given all these lands . . . before mentioned; Edom, Moab, Ammon, Tyre, Zidon, and Judea.
Into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, my servant . . . whom God used Nebuchadnezzar as an instrument in correcting and chastising the nations . . . and who obeyed God’s will, even though he did not know it. Nor did he know what he did was in obedience to God’s will. And he also had the honor of being called God’s servant, and being rewarded with a very large empire. Which was owing, not so much to Babylon’s prowess, valor, wisdom and management, as to God’s desire, for it was God Who delivered the above kingdoms, with others, into his hands, as being the sole proprietor and sovereign disposer of them.
And the beasts of the field have I given him also to serve him . . . beasts of the field . . . not just the horses to carry his Chaldean soldiers, and oxen to draw his provisions, not merely the deserts, mountains and woods, the haunts of wild beasts, implying his unlimited extent of empire.
*****This is a reproof to men that they did not recognize God's will, which the very beasts acknowledged (Isa.1:3). The lands where they lived had been given to Nebuchadnezzar by God. He has even been given the beasts of the field as well. Nebuchadnezzar is spoken of as my servant because he carried out the wishes of God.
Jer. 27:7 And all nations shall serve him, and his son, and his son's son, until the very time of his land come: and then many nations and great kings shall serve themselves of him. (KJV)
And all nations shall serve him . . . all these nations, Edom, Moab, Ammonites, Tyre and Zidon.
And his son, and his son’s son . . . and Evil-merodach his son (2 Ki. 25:27; Jer. 52:31), who succeeded him (Jer. 52:31), and Belshazzar, Nebuchadnezzar’s grandchild (Dan. 5:1-2; 5:9, 22, 29-30, 7:1; 8:1) the nations would serve until the end of this kingdom shall come, for nations have their periods, which was after seventy years (Jer. 29:10), during which years some say four kings ruled in Babylon, the Scriptures mention three, and one place on the internet says:
List of Babylonian Kings from 625 BC to 542 BC
King of Babylon Period of Reign (Approx.)
Nabopolassar 625-605 BC
Nabu-kudurri-usur II (Nebuchadnezzar) 605-562 BC
Amel-Marduk (Evil-merodach) 561-560 BC
Nergal-shar-usur (Neriglissar) 559-556 BC
Labashi-Marduk 556-556 BC
Nabu-naid (Nabonidus) 555-539 BC
Bel-sharra-usur (Belshazzar) 552-542 BC
This reveals the Kings of the Babylonian Empire (Chaldean). The Babylonian Empire began to be a world power in 625 BC after the fall of Assyria. Babylon continued its reign until 536 BC. After that he shall himself be conquered, as it came to pass in Belshazzar’s time (Dan. 5:30). Darius the emperor of the Medes taking his kingdom.
(Jer. 25:13-14). Babylon will be overthrown. It eventually will be destroyed never to be built again. Rev. 18:21 And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all. (KJV)
Jer. 27:8 And it shall come to pass, that the nation and kingdom which will not serve the same Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, and that will not put their neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon, that nation will I punish, saith the LORD, with the sword, and with the famine, and with the pestilence, until I have consumed them by his hand. (KJV)
Yoke of the king of Babylon . . . the point of this is simple. Any nation that will serve Babylon willingly may stay in their own land, but nations that will not summit readily to Babylon will suffer destruction. As a result, Judah would submit and not be removed from the land (vs. 9-18).
This captivity of God's people to Nebuchadnezzar is a punishment from God. They have rebelled against God and this is the judgment against them. For them to refuse to go into captivity would be to refuse the rebuke of God. Their captivity was for them to realize they needed God. They must repent of their worship of false gods, and again worship the One TRUE God. Those who refuse the captivity will be destroyed.
Jer. 27:9 Therefore hearken not ye to your prophets, nor to your diviners, nor to your dreamers, nor to your enchanters, nor to your sorcerers, which speak unto you, saying, Ye shall not serve the king of Babylon: (KJV)
Therefore hearken not ye to your prophets . . . false prophets. These words are a continuation of what the messengers of the nations should say to their masters from the God of Israel, by the mouth of His prophet. For they had their prophets as well as the Jews, such as the prophets of Baal and others.
Nor to your diviners . . . or soothsayers, such as Balaam (Num.22).
Nor to your dreamers . . . or dreams, such as they had themselves, and laid great stress on, or to those who pretended to interpret them.
Nor to your enchanters . . . or stargazers, astrologers, who pretended by the position of the stars to foretell what would come to pass.
Nor to your sorcerers . . . or wizards or necromancers, who, by unlawful methods, pretended to acquire knowledge of future things.
Which speak unto you, saying, Ye shall not serve the king of Babylon . . . meaning, either that they should not become a branch to him; or they should not be brought into subjection by him. And so, they were stirred up to oppose him, and not submit to him.
*****Their false prophets, diviners, dreamers, enchanters, and sorcerers had been telling them that all was well. They had said, peace, peace, peace, when there would be no peace (Jer.6:14; 8:11). The false prophets were telling the people not to go into captivity to Babylon. A diviner is someone who determines by casting lots or by a magical scroll. An enchanter is one who practices magic. A sorcerer is a magician. These would be similar to fortune tellers, magicians and readers of horoscopes today. All of these things draw their power from the devil . . . not God.
Jer. 27:10 For they prophesy a lie unto you, to remove you far from your land; and that I should drive you out, and ye should perish. (KJV)
For they prophesy a lie unto you . . . that which was vain and false, and proved to be so. To remove you far from your land . . . not that they planned it by their prophecies, but so it was eventually. For, standing out against Nebuchadnezzar, encouraged by the lies and dreams of their prophets, he, in process of time, took them, and carried them captive into Babylon. Whereas, had they surrendered at once, they might have continued in their own land, paying a tax or tribute to the king of Babylon.
And that I should drive you out, and ye should perish . . . drive them out of their own land, and to perish in a foreign land. God is said to do that which His servant said, being provoked by the sin and disobedience of the people, listening to their lying prophets, and not to the LORD. This seemed strange, but the only way to stay in their land and not perish, was to go into captivity to Nebuchadnezzar.
Jer. 27:11 But the nations that bring their neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon, and serve him, those will I let remain still in their own land, saith the LORD; and they shall till it, and dwell therein. (KJV)
But the nations that bring their neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon, and serve him . . . those that readily submit to him and pay him tribute.
Those will I let remain still in their own land, saith the LORD . . . undisturbed by any other enemy; peaceably dwelling in their own habitations. Following their occupations and business of life; and enjoying their substance and estates, only paying the tax imposed on them.
And they shall till it, and dwell therein . . . manure and cultivate it, and gather and eat the fruit of it, and continue to do so, they and their posterity after them. Jeremiah stayed in Jerusalem by permission. He is trying to tell them, that it would be much better to surrender to these people and work for them, than to run to a foreign land for safety. In their own land, they will be allowed to raise crops. They will have enough to eat here.
Jeremiah Gives Counsel Mainly to
Zedekiah, King of Judah (Jer.27:12-15)
Jer. 27:12 I spake also to Zedekiah king of Judah according to all these words, saying, Bring your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon, and serve him and his people, and live. (KJV)
I spake also to Zedekiah king of Judah . . . at the same time that he delivered the above message from the LORD, to the ambassadors of several nations, who were then residents in Zedekiah's court, in Jerusalem.
According to all these words . . . the same things, and in the same language, he said to the king of Judah, as to the messengers of the nations.
Saying, Bring your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon . . . you, O king, your nobles, and your people. Zedekiah was set upon the throne by the king of Babylon, and was a branch to him, and had taken an oath to be faithful to him. And yet he was now considering rebellion against him. And was consulting and entering into a confederacy with the neighboring nations to throw off the yoke, and be independent on him.
And serve him and his people, and live . . . the king of Babylon, and the Chaldeans. By faithfully paying the tribute, and acknowledging subjection to him, and so live in their own land, enjoying all other civil and religious privileges.
*****Zedekiah was the uncle of Nebuchadnezzar. He was over Judah. This message was not just for Jerusalem, but for all who had been invaded by Babylon. Bring your necks under the yoke means to voluntarily surrender to their control.
Jer. 27:13 Why will ye die, thou and thy people, by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence, as the LORD hath spoken against the nation that will not serve the king of Babylon? (KJV)
Zedekiah and his people would die through a blockade of the Chaldean army, which would invade their land, and besiege their city, if they refused to subject to their yoke.
As the LORD hath spoken against the nation that will not serve the king of Babylon? . . . as the LORD has threatened, so shall be the case of any and every one of the above nations that would refuse to be branch to him. Of which, no doubt, Zedekiah and his court had been considered (Jer. 27:8).
*****Jeremiah tries again to make them understand that the Babylonian invasion is a judgement of God against them. They must surrender to God's chastisement or they will die.
Jer. 27:14 Therefore hearken not unto the words of the prophets that speak unto you, saying, Ye shall not serve the king of Babylon: for they prophesy a lie unto you. (KJV)
Therefore hearken not unto the words of the prophets that speak unto you . . . wicked kings always had false prophets around them, to whom they listened, and which most often proved to be a bad result. Do not listen to false prophets.
That speak unto you, saying . . . as follows.
Ye shall not serve the king of Babylon . . . you should not serve him, but cast off his yoke. If you do not willingly submit, he cannot force you to do it.
For they prophesy a lie unto you . . . you should not listen to the false prophets, especially when they promise safety from the king of Babylon.
*****This is just telling them that they are listening to false prophets. Any prophet that goes against the will of God is a false prophet.
Jer. 27:15 For I have not sent them, saith the LORD, yet they prophesy a lie in my name; that I might drive you out, and that ye might perish, ye, and the prophets that prophesy unto you. (KJV)
For I have not sent them, saith the LORD . . . (Jer. 23:21).
Yet they prophesy a lie in my name . . . for a prophet to speak a lie was a very wicked thing to do, for it was sin to them and fatal to others. But to make use of that lie by using the Name of the LORD, and say they back it up with His authority, was so much more wicked and abominable.
That I might drive you out, and that ye might perish . . . God would drive them out of their own land, to perish in another, which, although the false prophets did not intend this by their prophesying, yet such would be the case, and was the result of it.
Ye, and the prophets that prophesy unto you . . . for it would end in the ruin and destruction of them both. Both of the false prophets, and those that listened to their prophecies, the kings and the people, all would fall into the same ditch.
It is a very dangerous thing for people to take it upon themselves to represent God to the people, when they bring lies and falsehoods to the people. In this Scripture verse, they are using the Name of God to convince the people they are speaking for God. Jeremiah says, do not believe a lie.
Verses 16-18: Jeremiah’s life was often a hard one. Not only did he have to deliver overwhelming messages that left a great burden on his own heart for the people he loved so much, but he also had to face the constant opposition of Judah’s leadership and the false prophets (Jer. 23:9-40; 28:1 – 29:9). Here as elsewhere, Jeremiah had to oppose these lying prophets and defy them to produce the fulfillment of their prophecies. One of the tests of TRUE prophecy, especially those that dealt with the near future, was its fulfillment. Deut. 18:21-22 And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken? 22 When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him. (KJV)
Patient Submission Would Be the Only Way to Mitigate the Calamity and Make It Easy (Jer.27:16-22)
Jer. 27:16 Also I spake to the priests and to all this people, saying, Thus saith the LORD; Hearken not to the words of your prophets that prophesy unto you, saying, Behold, the vessels of the LORD'S house shall now shortly be brought again from Babylon: for they prophesy a lie unto you. (KJV)
Also I spake to the priests and to all this people, saying . . . from the court, Jeremiah went to the Temple, and spoke to the priests that were ministering there, and to all the people that were assembled for TRUE worship. This was either at the ordinary time of it, or at one of the solemn feasts. This was a proper time and place to meet with the people and the priests. The priests especially had a concern in what Jeremiah had to say concerning the vessels of the Temple.
Thus saith the Lord, hearken not to the words of your prophets that prophesy unto you . . . do not listen to these false prophets.
Saying . . . as follows.
Behold, the vessels of the LORD'S house shall now shortly be brought again from Babylon . . . which were carried there, both in the times of Jehoiakim, and of Jeconiah (2 Chr.36:7). The false prophets said they would soon be returned, for the king of Babylon, either willingly, or being forced to it, would send them back. There was little reason to fear an invasion from him, or captivity by him.
For they prophesy a lie unto you . . . that which is false, and will never happen, and never in a short time or soon be returned.
*****Jeremiah had warned the people and the priests of what God intended to do. The Babylonian captivity would not be over in a few days, but will last 70 years. These false prophets are giving them false hope. We have false prophets in our world today. We must beware of what they say! Check out everything that you hear or read with the Word of God . . . including me.
Jer. 27:17 Hearken not unto them; serve the king of Babylon, and live: wherefore should this city be laid waste? (KJV)
Hearken not unto them . . . do not listen to the false prophets.
Serve the king of Babylon, and live . . . pay homage and tribute to him; for that is the way to live in your own land, and enjoy the benefits there, and of the Temple worship, which, if you do not, you will be completely deprived of.
Wherefore should this city be laid waste? . . . this city shall be laid waste if you rebel against the king of Babylon. And it was a few years later, when they did rebel.
*****To save the city they must go into Babylonian captivity. All of this is telling them, admit and realize you have sinned and accept your punishment for it, then the LORD will not totally destroy this place.
Jer. 27:18 But if they be prophets, and if the word of the LORD be with them, let them now make intercession to the LORD of hosts, that the vessels which are left in the house of the LORD, and in the house of the king of Judah, and at Jerusalem, go not to Babylon. (KJV)
But if they be prophets, and if the word of the LORD be with them . . . let them prove it.
Let them now make intercession to the LORD of hosts . . . the LORD would not answer such a prayer, as proven by verses 19-22. This revealed His indifference to the prayers of these wicked ones. (Isa.1:15; Jer.7:16; 11:14; 14:12).
Jer. 27:19 For thus saith the LORD of hosts concerning the pillars, and concerning the sea, and concerning the bases, and concerning the residue of the vessels that remain in this city, (KJV)
For thus saith the LORD of hosts concerning the pillars . . . (Jer. 52:17, 20-21), the pillars of brass that stood in the Temple, the one called Boaz, and the other Jachin (1 Ki. 7:15, 21).
And concerning the sea . . . the sea of molten brass, which stood upon twelve oxen (1 Ki. 7:23).
And concerning the bases . . . the ten bases, which also were made of brass (1 Ki.7:27). Bronze symbolizes judgement, and pillars are spoken of as a support. This must mean that the support of the Temple is the judgment of God.
And concerning the residue of the vessels that remain in this city . . . in the king's palace, and in the houses of the noblemen. And of the rich and wealthy inhabitants of Jerusalem.
Jer. 27:20 Which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon took not, when he carried away captive Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah from Jerusalem to Babylon, and all the nobles of Judah and Jerusalem; (KJV)
Which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon took not . . . for he seems only to have taken the vessels of gold, and left the vessels of brass, as the above were (2 Ki.24:13).
When he carried away captive Jeconiah, the son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, from Jerusalem to Babylon, and all the nobles of Judah and Jerusalem . . . (2 Ki.24:12).
We have seen that Jeconiah is the same as Jehoiachin. He was held captive in Babylon 36 years. 2 Ki. 24:12 And Jehoiachin the king of Judah went out to the king of Babylon, he, and his mother, and his servants, and his princes, and his officers: and the king of Babylon took him in the eighth year of his reign. (KJV) . . . They took them probably, so they would not be able to influence the people against Babylon.
Verses 21-22: Jeremiah revealed that Judah’s Temple vessels taken to Babylon (2 Ki. 13:14; Dan. 1:1-2), would be restored to the Temple (fulfilled around 536 B.C.).
Jer. 27:21 Yea, thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, concerning the vessels that remain in the house of the LORD, and in the house of the king of Judah and of Jerusalem; (KJV)
Yea, thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel . . . the One and Only TRUE God of the Universe!
Concerning the vessels that remain in the house of the LORD . . . which are mentioned (vs.19); together with others.
And in the house of the king of Judah, and of Jerusalem . . . (vs.18). The prophet enlarges his prophetical threat, extending it to all other vessels of price, in the houses of the king, the nobles, or more wealthy citizens.
Jer. 27:22 They shall be carried to Babylon, and there shall they be until the day that I visit them, saith the LORD; then will I bring them up, and restore them to this place. (KJV)
They shall be carried to Babylon . . . as they were; and of which, with others, there is a specific account.
And there shall they be until the day that I visit them, saith to the LORD . . . the Chaldeans in a way of wrath, and the Jews in a way of grace and favor, which would end at the end seventy years' captivity. And so long as the vessels of the sanctuary continued there, and we read of them as being used the very night that Belshazzar was slain, and Babylon taken (Dan. 5:2).
Then will I bring them up, and restore them to this place . . . which was fulfilled when the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus, king of Persia to allow the Jews to return to their own land, and rebuild their Temple. And at the same time delivered into the hands of Sheshbazzar, prince of Judah, the vessels of the Temple (Ezra 1:1).
*****It seems the things of the Temple were to be carried to Babylon for safe keeping, until the captivity is over. The Babylonian captivity was of God for their sins, and the restoration will also be of God as well, after they repent.
Book of Jeremiah
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