“Do not listen to the words of the prophets who are saying to you, 'You shall not serve the king of Babylon,' for it is a lie that they are prophesying to you” (v14). The leaders of Judah preferred the comforting fantasies of false prophets to Jeremiah’s uncomfortable truth. Jeremiah said that they needed to change their ways and to accept temporary Babylonian rule as part of God’s discipline, while the false prophets assured them that they could keep their independence (v9).

“Serve him and his people and live” (v12). God’s plan wasn’t to crush Israel, but to revive and restore them in Babylon. Submitted to Him, even difficult situations can become a source of life for us.