Jeremiah 21:5

And I myself will fight against you with an outstretched hand and with a strong arm, even in anger, and in fury, and in great wrath. I MYSELF WILL FIGHT AGAINST YOU - the Jews shall have not merely the Chaldees, but Yahweh Himself, in wrath at their provocations, fighting against them. Every word enhances the formidable character of God's opposition: "I myself, with outstretched hand, and with strong arm (no longer "stretched out" to "redeem you," as in . and in the case of Sennacherib but) in anger ... fury, and great wrath....

He proceeds with the subject; and though he afterwards is more diffuse, he yet confirms here what we have just seen, — even that God was the leader of the war, and that the Chaldeans were, as it were, his hired soldiers, whom he guided by his own hand, and to whom he would give the signal to fight. _I, myself _he says, _will fight against you _He put this in opposition to the wonderful works which Zedekiah had mentioned. God, indeed, had formerly been in a wonderful way present with his Church, not only once, but a thousand times; but he says now, “whatever power I have, it shall be exercised now against you; expect, therefore, no aid from me, but know that I am armed, and shall wholly destroy you.” He adds, _with an extended hand and a strong arm; _as though he had said, “your fathers found wonderful works done for their safety; but you shall by experience learn how great is my power to...

1-10 When the siege had begun, Zedekiah sent to ask of Jeremiah respecting the event. In times of distress and danger, men often seek those to counsel and pray for them, whom, at other times, they despise and oppose; but they only seek deliverance from punishment. When professors continue in disobedience, presuming upon outward privileges, let them be told that the Lord will prosper his open enemies against them. As the king and his princes would not surrender, the people are exhorted to do so. No sinner on earth is left without a Refuge, who really desires one; but the way of life is humbling, it requires self-denial, and exposes to difficulties....

EXPOSITION The chapter falls into three parts, two of which seem to be in some sort of connection, while the third is isolated. First comes a warning to the messengers of Zedekiah of the unfortunate issue of the rebellion against Babylon; this is followed by a counsel to the people to give up their futile resistance, and "fall away" to the Chaldeans. The last four verses contain an exhortation to the "house of David" to fulfill their high duties with greater conscientiousness, for fear of the judgment which had already begun to take effect when the former part of this chapter was written. Compare Zedekiah's embassy to Jeremiah with that of Hezekiah to Isaiah on a similar emergency (Isaiah 37:2). JEREMIAH 21:1 PASHUR. A different Pashur from the one

AND MYSELF WILL FIGHT AGAINST YOU,.... So far from being entreated to do for them according to his wondrous works in times past, as their friend; that he will set himself against them as their enemy; and sad it is to have God for an enemy: if God be for a people, none can be against them to do them any hurt; but if he is against them, it signifies nothing who is for them: this must be much more terrible to them than the whole Chaldean army, and the king of Babylon at the head of them: WITH AN OUTSTRETCHED HAND, AND WITH A STRONG ARM; such as he had used formerly in delivering Israel out of Egypt, but now in delivering them into the hands of their enemies; and out of the reach of such a hand there is no getting; and under the weight of such an arm there is no supporting; see Exodus 6:6; EVEN IN ANGER, AND IN FURY, AND IN GREAT WRATH; because of their sins and

CHAPTER 21 The Prophetic Warning _ 1. Zedekiah's inquiry (Jeremiah 21:1) _ 2. Jehovah's answer through Jeremiah (Jeremiah 21:3) Jeremiah 21:1. It has been said that this chapter is historically misplaced and therefore must be considered an evidence of the composite authorship of this book. The Spirit of God for some reason unknown to us has put it in this place. Zedekiah sent unto Jeremiah Pashur (a different one from the Pashur in the preceding chapter) to inquire as to Nebuchadrezzar, the King of Babylon. This is of course Nebuchadnezzar. The form of his name found in Jeremiah is derived more correctly from the Babylonian, which is “Nabukudurri-usur.” Here the great king is mentio

THE OUTCOME OF THE SIEGE (588 B.C.). Zedekiah, apparently at an early stage of the siege of Jerusalem (whilst Jeremiah 37:3 refers to a similar, but later, incident) sends envoys, Pashhur (not the same as in Jeremiah 20:1) and Zephaniah (Jeremiah 29:25; Jeremiah 37:3; Jeremiah 52:24), to ask the prophet if Yahweh will cause the besiegers to withdraw (go up, Jeremiah 34:21). Jeremiah replies that Yahweh is against Jerusalem, and will deliver king and pe

OUTSTRETCHED HAND. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 6:6) STRONG. strong (for holding fast)....

_with an outstretched … arm_ a phrase of Deut. (Deuteronomy 4:34; Deuteronomy 5:15; Deuteronomy 26:8)....

2. _The answer of the prophet_ (Jeremiah 21:3-7) TRANSLATION (3) But Jeremiah said unto them, Thus shall you say to Zedekiah: Thus says the LORD God of Israel: I am about to turn back the weapons of war that are in your hands, with which you are fighting the king of Babylon and the Chaldeans who are besieging you outside the walls; and I will gather them into the midst of this city. (5) And I Myself will fight against you with an outstretched hand and with a strong arm, even in anger and in fury and in great wrath. (6) And I will smite the inhabitants of this city, both man and beast; they shall die of great pestilence. (7) And after this (oracle of the LORD) I will give Zedekiah king of Judah and his servants and the people, even those who remain in this city from the plague, the sword, and the famine, into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, even into the ha