Jeremiah 38-40

“He who stays in this city shall die by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence, but he who goes out to the Chaldeans [Babylonians] shall live” (38:2). Jeremiah’s prophesy wasn’t what anyone wanted to hear. The people of Judah wanted to be told to fight against their Babylonian enemies, and that God would fight on their side and give victory. Instead, Jeremiah told them to surrender and live. He was thrown into a muddy well for his prophesy, yet his words about Jerusalem’s fate came true (39:1).

“Obey now the voice of the Lord ... and it shall be well with you” (38:20). Real victory comes when we cooperate with the Lord’s call to humility and repentance, and live.