JEREMIAH 39
God rewarded Zedekiah for his wickedness (vv. 1–10). The king thought he could escape, but the enemy caught up with him. The last thing Zedekiah saw was the execution of his own sons; then he was blinded. He walked by sight and ended up in darkness. He lived to serve himself and lost everything. He learned the truth of these words: “Be sure your sin will find you out” (
God rewarded Jeremiah for his faithfulness (vv. 11–14). For forty difficult years, he courageously proclaimed God’s Word, even though the people refused to obey it. If you measure ministry by “results,” Jeremiah was a failure. Given his freedom, he chose to remain with his people and minister to them. He had a shepherd’s heart.
God rewarded Ebed-Melech for his kindness (vv. 15–18;