Jeremiah 21

“See, I am setting before you the way of life and the way of death” (v8). Jeremiah told Jerusalem’s citizens that their city was going to be invaded and burnt down by the Babylonians. God was permitting this disaster because of their years of unfaithfulness to Him. However, God still offered mercy: if they would listen to Him and surrender to the Babylonians (v11), they would lose their homes but keep their lives. They couldn’t avoid painful consequences, but God promised to still give them a future.

“Administer justice every morning …” (v12). God didn’t want to hear empty words of repentance from Jerusalem’s people. He desires a true change of heart that is reflected in our actions.