Read chapter 21
Jeremiah just finished talking to and about Zedekiah, who was the last king of Judah before they went in to captivity, saying that it is during his reign that the Chaldeans will besiege them and take them all in to captivity. So Jeremiah sets a proposition before the people, one of life or death. God tells them that if they try to remain in the city they will be killed, but if they go into captivity under King Nebuchadnezzar they will remain alive and his life shall be a prize to him (v.9). Some people think they would rather die than go in to a life of captivity and sadly that is what most of the people in Judah chose. The Lord wasn't hoping they would choose death but rather choose life. It's kind of opposite of what Moses said as they were about to enter and possess the promise land in Deuteronomy 30:19-20,
"I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; 20 that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days;"Then it was choosing life to gain possession and an inheritance this time to choose life meant giving up possessions, either way it was God's will. So today God will always have us choose life and obedience to Him than death and disobedience to Him whether it mean gain or loss in this life. What life or death choices are you facing right now?
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