Jeremiah 27 “The Fate of Being Used as an Instrument of Judgment and Then Cast Aside”

Jeremiah 27 NIV

Suggested Praise Songs:                                                             

• Promises – Maverick City Music
• He Will Hold Me Fast – Keswick Live
• Sinking Deep – Hillsong Young and Free

Resources for Family Worship (with Children):

• The Teenie Weenie True King – Story for Kids
• Sing Hosanna – This Is My Father’s World | Bible Songs for Kids – Song for Kids
• He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands | Maker Fun Factory Music Videos | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• Never Let Go Of Me | Shipwrecked VBS | Outback Rock VBS | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• Discussion Questions for Children & Youth are located in the section after Explanation, Meditation, and Prayer (at the end of this email/blog).

Explanation:

At the beginning of King Zedekiah’s reign (although the Revised Korean Version writes “Jehoiakim,” the content that follows shows that this event took place during Zedekiah’s reign), the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah (v. 1). At that time, Judah had become a vassal state under Babylon. Zedekiah attempted to break away from Nebuchadnezzar’s control by forming an alliance with the surrounding nations. When envoys from those nations gathered in Jerusalem at Zedekiah’s invitation, the Lord instructed Jeremiah to make several yokes and go to where the envoys were gathered. Jeremiah distributed the yokes to each envoy and proclaimed the Lord’s message (vv. 2–4).

The Lord declares that He will give full authority to the king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar, for a time (vv. 5–6). This is not because Nebuchadnezzar is good or righteous. Rather, the Lord will use his wickedness as an instrument of judgment, and when the appointed time comes, the Lord will also judge him (v. 7). Therefore, if the surrounding nations and Judah want to survive, they must submit to Nebuchadnezzar’s yoke. Anyone who refuses to bear that yoke will face death in one form or another (v. 8). Some prophets and fortune-tellers among them claimed that they would not have to serve the king of Babylon—but their words were all lies (vv. 9–10). Because this is the time determined for Babylon, the only way to survive is not to resist, but to accept that destiny (v. 11).

The Lord also gives a message directly to King Zedekiah. Zedekiah was planning to escape Babylon’s rule by strengthening alliances with the surrounding nations. False prophets encouraged him to pursue that path. Jeremiah urges Zedekiah not to listen to them, but instead to continue bearing the yoke of Babylon (vv. 12–15). The false prophets also declared that the temple vessels taken by the Babylonians would soon return (v. 16). Jeremiah warns the priests and the people not to believe them. In fact, not only will the temple vessels taken so far not return soon, but the rest will also be carried away. Therefore, they must bear the Babylonian yoke until the time the Lord has determined (vv. 17–22).

Meditation:

The Lord calls King Nebuchadnezzar “My servant” (v. 6). Nebuchadnezzar expanded his empire, driven by political ambition. He exalted himself like a god and ruled over many nations. His name is remembered in history as one of the most powerful rulers of the ancient world.

Yet the Lord tells Jeremiah that Nebuchadnezzar is acting in accordance with God’s plan. It is not because Nebuchadnezzar was righteous. He simply followed his own desires and committed evil. God used his wickedness as an instrument to carry out judgment on Judah and the surrounding nations. Though Nebuchadnezzar acted as if he were divine, in reality, he was only a tool used temporarily within God’s great plan — a tool that would eventually be set aside. And so, the Lord declares that when the appointed time comes, even Babylon will be judged (v. 7).

Until the day when God brings the new heaven and new earth and makes all things new (Revelation 21:5), He will continue to rule human history in this way. Each of us is given free will to choose whether we will live according to God’s will in righteousness or follow the path of sin. The God who created and rules heaven and earth watches over and governs human history with His unseen hand. In ways we cannot perceive, He uses both righteousness and unrighteousness — all of our choices — to fulfill His purposes.

To believe in God means to learn to discern and follow the movement of His unseen hand and live according to His greater plan. Otherwise, we will end up like Nebuchadnezzar — used for a time and then cast aside.

Prayer:

When we open our eyes, it appears that the world belongs to those who hold power. It seems to be a world owned by the wealthy and powerful. In this broken and unjust reality, we close our eyes and think of You, Lord. We remember that Your unseen hand governs this world. Today again, we rely on Your good and sovereign power. May our words and actions be used in the work that You are doing. Amen.

Discussion Questions for Children & Youth:

Key Point: Even when it looks like powerful people are in control, God is still guiding history with His unseen hand. We can choose to live in His plan by trusting Him and following His ways—so that our lives are not just used by the world and thrown away but truly guided and held by God.

• For Preschool-Elementary:
  • Have you ever seen someone who looked very powerful (a leader, hero, older kid)? How did it make you feel?
  • Who is really the most powerful in the world, even when we can’t see Him?
  • What is one small way you can show that you want to follow God today?
    
• Youth:
  • Nebuchadnezzar looked powerful but was actually just part of God’s bigger plan. Who today seems powerful in our culture (in school, online, etc.)?
  • What does it mean to trust God’s unseen hand even when the world looks unfair?
  • What is one personal decision you can make this week that shows you are choosing God’s way over the world’s way (even something small)?