Jer. 34:7. What archaeological evidence confirms the events described in this verse? (it “Archaeology” pars. 27, 28).
Jeremiah 34:7 — when the armies of the king of Babylon were fighting against Jerusalem and against all the cities of Judah that were left, against Lachish and against Azekah; for they were the only fortified cities that remained of the cities of Judah.
Answer 1: Archaeology confirms the importance of Lachish in the account. This city was about 44 kilometers west-southwest of Jerusalem and was an important fortress within the defensive system that protected the mountainous region of Judah.
Answer 2: The verse mentions that Lachish and Azekah were the only fortified cities that remained. This agrees with Lachish’s strategic value: It was one of Judah’s last important defenses while Babylon was attacking Jerusalem.
Answer 3: Excavations at Lachish have shown that the city was consumed by fire on two occasions during a period of just a few years. This evidence harmonizes with the Babylonian attacks that Judah experienced.
Answer 4: The two destruction levels found at Lachish seem to correspond to Babylonian attacks in 618-617 and 609-607 B.C.E. Thus, the ruins provide material testimony that fits the historical context of Jeremiah.
Answer 5: After the Babylonian destruction, Lachish remained desolate for a long time. This confirms the severity of the conquest that Jeremiah described and reminds us that Jehovah’s warnings were fulfilled just as he had said.
What spiritual gems have you found in this week’s Bible reading?
Spiritual Gems for JEREMIAH 34
Jeremiah 34:1 — The word that came to Jeremiah from Jehovah, when King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon and all his army and all the kingdoms of the earth under his dominion and all the peoples were fighting against Jerusalem and all her cities:
Comment 1: The enemy force was enormous: It included the army of Babylon, kingdoms, and peoples under its dominion. Even so, Jehovah knew the situation perfectly and transmitted a clear message through Jeremiah. When we face problems that seem overwhelming, we can be sure that Jehovah sees them with complete clarity.
Jeremiah 34:2 — “This is what Jehovah the God of Israel says, ‘Go and speak to King Zedekiah of Judah and tell him: “This is what Jehovah says, ‘Here I am giving this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he will burn it with fire.
Comment 2: Jehovah did not hide from Zedekiah the consequences of his course. He frankly told him what would happen to Jerusalem. This teaches us that Jehovah’s warnings are an expression of justice and love; they give us the opportunity to respond properly while there is still time.
Jeremiah 34:7 — when the armies of the king of Babylon were fighting against Jerusalem and against all the cities of Judah that were left, against Lachish and against Azekah; for they were the only fortified cities that remained of the cities of Judah.
Comment 3: Lachish and Azekah were the last fortified cities of Judah. No matter how strong human defenses might have seemed, they could not prevent the fulfillment of Jehovah’s word. True security does not depend on human resources but on remaining faithful to him.
Jeremiah 34:8 — The word that came to Jeremiah from Jehovah after King Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people in Jerusalem to proclaim liberty to them,
Comment 4: Zedekiah made a covenant to proclaim liberty. Although the national situation was very serious, it was recognized that an injustice needed to be corrected. We should never think that it is too late to do what is right. Jehovah notices the specific steps we take to obey him.
Jeremiah 34:10 — So all the princes and all the people obeyed. They had entered into the covenant that everyone should free his male and female slaves and not keep them as slaves any longer. They obeyed and let them go.
Comment 5: At first, the princes and the people obeyed and set their slaves free. This reaction shows that they knew what Jehovah’s will was. Knowing what is right is important, but our obedience must remain firm after we make a good decision.
Jeremiah 34:11 — However, they later brought back the male and female slaves whom they had freed, and they again forced them back into slavery.
Comment 6: Later they forced their brothers to become slaves again. How sad it would be for someone to correct a course of conduct and then return to it for convenience. This account encourages us not to undo the changes we make to please Jehovah, even when maintaining them requires sacrifices.
Jeremiah 34:14 — “At the end of seven years, each of you should free his Hebrew brother who was sold to you and who has served you six years; you must set him free.” But your forefathers did not listen or incline their ears to me.
Comment 7: Jehovah had commanded that, after six years of service, the Hebrew brother should be set free. The Law protected the dignity of those in a vulnerable situation. We imitate Jehovah’s justice when we treat others with respect and do not take advantage of them.
Spiritual Gems for JEREMIAH 35
Jeremiah 35:2 — “Go to the house of the Rechabites and speak with them and bring them into the house of Jehovah, into one of the dining rooms; then offer them wine to drink.”
Comment 1: Jehovah told Jeremiah to bring the Rechabites into the house of Jehovah and offer them wine. The situation would make their obedience evident. Jehovah knows the heart, but circumstances can also arise that clearly show which principles guide our decisions.
Jeremiah 35:6 — But they said: “We will not drink wine, because Jehonadab the son of Rechab, our forefather, gave us this command, ‘Neither you nor your sons must ever drink wine.
Comment 2: The Rechabites respectfully refused the wine and explained why: They wanted to obey the command of their forefather. Their example teaches us that we can firmly maintain our convictions without being harsh or critical toward those who make different decisions.
Jeremiah 35:7 — And you must not build a house, sow seed, or plant or obtain a vineyard. Instead, you must always dwell in tents, so that you may live for a long time in the land where you are residing as foreigners.’
Comment 3: Jehonadab had given his family a simple way of life, living in tents and not settling down by means of fields or vineyards. Although that command was not for all Israelites, the Rechabites respected it. Their example highlights the value of being loyal to family commitments that do not conflict with Jehovah’s will.
Jeremiah 35:8 — So we continue to obey the voice of Jehonadab the son of our forefather Rechab in all that he commanded us, by never drinking any wine—we, our wives, our sons, and our daughters.
Comment 4: The Rechabites’ obedience included the entire family: men, wives, sons, and daughters. This highlights the positive influence of consistent teaching in the home. Parents can greatly help their children when they clearly convey the principles they want to guide the family.
Jeremiah 35:11 — But when King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came up against the land, we said, ‘Come, let us go into Jerusalem to escape the army of the Chaldeans and of the Syrians,’ and now we are living in Jerusalem.”
Comment 5: The Rechabites entered Jerusalem to escape the invading armies. They were not abandoning their desire to obey; they were adapting to an emergency. We can learn to be reasonable and flexible when circumstances change, without giving up our principles.
Jeremiah 35:13 — “This is what Jehovah of armies, the God of Israel, says, ‘Go and say to the men of Judah and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem: “Were you not continually urged to obey my words?” declares Jehovah.
Comment 6: Jehovah had spoken to Judah time and again to encourage them to obey. He did not give a quick warning and then abandon them. His patience demonstrates how much he wants people to respond properly. It also moves us to listen promptly to his counsel.
Jeremiah 35:14 — “Jehonadab the son of Rechab commanded his descendants not to drink wine, and they have carried out his words by not drinking it to this day, thus obeying the order of their forefather. However, I have spoken to you again and again, but you have not obeyed me.
Comment 7: The descendants of Jehonadab obeyed a human command, while Judah did not obey Jehovah’s repeated words. The comparison is very striking. If we value useful counsel from imperfect humans, how much more should we gladly obey our heavenly Father.
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