Spiritual Gems for the week of September 28 to October 4, 2026

Jer 39:6, 7. What bad decision did Zedekiah make, and what can family heads learn from his bad example? (jr 92 par. 1)

Jeremiah 38:20 — But Jeremiah said: “You will not be handed over to them. Obey, please, the voice of Jehovah in what I am telling you, and it will go well with you, and you will continue to live.

Answer 1: Zedekiah decided not to obey Jehovah’s clear instruction to surrender to the princes of the king of Babylon. Although he was assured that things would go well for him if he obeyed, he did not act on that counsel.

Jeremiah 38:19 — Then King Zedekiah said to Jeremiah: “I am afraid of the Jews who have deserted to the Chaldeans, for if I am handed over to them, they may deal cruelly with me.”

Answer 2: He allowed fear of what others might do to him to direct his decision. Family heads learn that they must not allow fear of man to prevent them from doing what Jehovah considers right.

Jeremiah 38:17 — Jeremiah then said to Zedekiah: “This is what Jehovah, the God of armies, the God of Israel, says, ‘If you surrender to the princes of the king of Babylon, your life will be spared, and this city will not be burned with fire, and you and your household will be spared.

Answer 3: Jehovah had shown consideration not only for Zedekiah but also for those of his household. Therefore, a family head should remember that his spiritual decisions can deeply affect those in his care.

Jeremiah 39:4 — When King Zedekiah of Judah and all the soldiers saw them, they fled, going out of the city by night by way of the king’s garden, through the gate between the double wall, and they continued by the way of the Arabah.

Answer 4: Instead of following Jehovah’s direction, Zedekiah tried to escape. Family heads do not solve spiritual problems by avoiding them; they need to face them with faith and make decisions based on Jehovah’s guidance.

Jeremiah 39:6 — The king of Babylon had the sons of Zedekiah slaughtered before his eyes there at Riblah, and the king of Babylon had all the nobles of Judah slaughtered.

Answer 5: The painful consequences of Zedekiah’s disobedience affected his family. His example emphasizes that a family head must give priority to obeying Jehovah, since that is the best protection for his family.

What spiritual gems have you found in this week’s Bible reading?

Spiritual Gems for JEREMIAH 38

Jeremiah 38:2 — “This is what Jehovah says, ‘The one who remains in this city will die by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence. But the one who surrenders to the Chaldeans will keep living and will have his life as a spoil and live.’

Comment 1: Jeremiah delivered a message that may have seemed difficult to accept, but it came from Jehovah and offered a way out to preserve life. This reminds us that Jehovah’s guidance is always reliable, even when it requires humility and courage.

Jeremiah 38:4 — The princes said to the king: “Please have this man put to death, for this is how he is weakening the morale of the soldiers who are left in this city, as well as that of all the people, by speaking such words to them. For this man seeks, not the peace of this people, but their calamity.”

Comment 2: The princes accused Jeremiah of weakening the morale of the people because they did not like his message. We should not measure the value of counsel by how comfortable it is, but by whether it agrees with Jehovah’s will.

Jeremiah 38:5 — King Zedekiah replied: “Look! He is in your hands, for the king cannot do anything to stop you.”

Comment 3: Zedekiah gave in to the princes when he should have defended Jehovah’s prophet. Those who have responsibilities should strive to do what is right, even when others exert pressure or oppose them.

Jeremiah 38:6 — So they took Jeremiah and threw him into the cistern of Malchijah the son of the king, which was in the Courtyard of the Guard. They let Jeremiah down by ropes. Now there was no water in the cistern, only mud, and Jeremiah began to sink down into the mud.

Comment 4: Jeremiah suffered unjustly because he remained faithful to his commission. When we face opposition for doing what is right, his example helps us to keep carrying out our assignment and leave the outcome in Jehovah’s hands.

Jeremiah 38:9 — “O my lord the king, what these men have done to Jeremiah the prophet is evil! They have thrown him into the cistern, and he will die there because of the famine, for there is no bread left in the city.”

Comment 5: Ebed-melech was not indifferent to the cruelty being inflicted on Jeremiah. He spoke respectfully but firmly. We can imitate him by standing up for what is right and showing compassionate concern for Jehovah’s servants.

Jeremiah 38:11 — So Ebedmelech took the men with him and went into the king’s house to a place beneath the treasury, and they took from there some worn-out rags and worn-out pieces of cloth and let them down by ropes to Jeremiah in the cistern.

Comment 6: Ebed-melech not only wanted to help; he thought about how to do so carefully. The rags would protect Jeremiah from the ropes. This detail encourages us to give practical help in a considerate and unhurried way.

Jeremiah 38:15 — Jeremiah then said to Zedekiah: “If I tell you, you will certainly put me to death. And if I give you advice, you will not listen to me.”

Comment 7: Jeremiah spoke frankly because he knew that Zedekiah might not listen. Even so, he did not stop communicating Jehovah’s message. In the ministry, we continue speaking with tact and courage even when not everyone accepts Bible counsel.

Jeremiah 38:16 — So King Zedekiah secretly swore to Jeremiah, saying: “As surely as Jehovah is alive, who has given us this life, I will not put you to death, and I will not hand you over to these men who are seeking to take your life.”

Comment 8: Zedekiah acknowledged that Jehovah is the one who gives life. However, acknowledging a truth is not enough if we do not let it influence our decisions. Genuine faith is shown by obeying Jehovah’s voice.

Jeremiah 38:20 — But Jeremiah said: “You will not be handed over to them. Obey, please, the voice of Jehovah in what I am telling you, and it will go well with you, and you will continue to live.

Comment 9: Jehovah told Zedekiah not only what he should do but also what good result would come from obeying. His commands are never arbitrary; they reflect his desire for his servants to do well.

Jeremiah 38:28 — Until the day that Jerusalem was captured, Jeremiah remained in the Courtyard of the Guard; he was still there when Jerusalem was captured.

Comment 10: Jeremiah remained in the Courtyard of the Guard until Jerusalem was captured. Despite being restricted, he continued to be faithful. Difficult circumstances do not have to prevent us from maintaining our loyalty to Jehovah.

Spiritual Gems for JEREMIAH 39

Jeremiah 39:1 — In the ninth year of King Zedekiah of Judah, in the tenth month, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon and all his army came to Jerusalem, and they besieged it.

Comment 1: The siege of Jerusalem was a painful and prolonged reality. What Jehovah had announced through his prophets came true. This strengthens our confidence that all of Jehovah’s words will be fulfilled at the proper time.

Jeremiah 39:4 — When King Zedekiah of Judah and all the soldiers saw them, they fled, going out of the city by night by way of the king’s garden, through the gate between the double wall, and they continued by the way of the Arabah.

Comment 2: Zedekiah and his soldiers fled by night, but they could not escape the consequences of rejecting divine guidance. Trying to hide or avoid a problem never substitutes for obedience to Jehovah.

Jeremiah 39:5 — But the Chaldean army chased after them, and they overtook Zedekiah in the desert plains of Jericho. They captured him and brought him up to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon at Riblah in the land of Hamath, where he passed sentence on him.

Comment 3: Zedekiah was caught precisely when he was trying to flee. This account teaches us that Jehovah sees what is happening and that no one can escape the consequences of deliberately disobeying his instructions.

Jeremiah 39:7 — Then he blinded the eyes of Zedekiah, after which he bound him with copper fetters to bring him to Babylon.

Comment 4: Zedekiah’s sad end demonstrates how serious it is to repeatedly disregard Jehovah’s guidance. This warning moves us to respond promptly when the Bible helps us see that we need to make changes.

Jeremiah 39:10 — But Nebuzaradan the chief of the guard left in the land of Judah some of the poorest people, those who had nothing at all. On that day he also gave them vineyards and fields to work.

Comment 5: Some poor people were given fields and vineyards to work. Even in the midst of a devastating situation, basic needs were cared for. This may remind us that Jehovah knows the needs of humble people.

Jeremiah 39:12 — “Take him and look after him; do him no harm, and grant whatever he asks of you.”

Comment 6: Jeremiah had been treated unjustly, but he received protection. Jehovah can care for his servants in unexpected ways. Therefore, when we suffer for being faithful, we have reason to remain calm and trust in him.

Jeremiah 39:14 — and had Jeremiah taken out of the Courtyard of the Guard and handed him over to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan to be brought to his house. So he lived among the people.

Comment 7: After having been imprisoned, Jeremiah lived among the people. Jehovah did not abandon his prophet. His care assures us that he values the faithfulness of those who continue doing his will under difficult circumstances.

Jeremiah 39:16 — “Go and tell Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, ‘This is what Jehovah of armies, the God of Israel, says: “Here I am fulfilling my words on this city for calamity and not for good, and in that day you will see it happen.”’

Comment 8: Jehovah confirmed to Ebed-melech that his words of calamity would come true. He always fulfills what he says, both his warnings and his promises. This certainty motivates us to take his Word very seriously.

Jeremiah 39:17 — “‘But I will rescue you in that day,’ declares Jehovah, ‘and you will not be handed over to the men you fear.’

Comment 9: Ebed-melech may have felt intimidated by powerful men, but Jehovah promised to rescue him. When we do what is right, we do not need to let fear of people dominate us, because Jehovah can sustain us.

Jeremiah 39:18 — “‘For I will surely provide you with escape, and you will not fall by the sword. You will have your life as a spoil, because you trusted in me,’ declares Jehovah.”

Comment 10: Jehovah emphasized that Ebed-melech would be rescued because he had trusted in Him. His trust was evident from his acting in Jeremiah’s behalf. We too demonstrate our trust in Jehovah when we obey and courageously do what is good.