Jeremiah 39:12
"Take him, look after him, and do not let any harm come to him; do for him whatever he says."
Take him
The phrase "Take him" indicates a command given with authority. In the context of Jeremiah 39, this command is issued by Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, concerning the prophet Jeremiah. The Hebrew root for "take" is "לָקַח" (laqach), which often implies a deliberate action of receiving or fetching. This reflects the divine providence and protection over Jeremiah, as God uses even foreign rulers to ensure the safety of His prophet. It underscores the theme of God's sovereignty and His ability to orchestrate events for the fulfillment of His purposes.

and look after him
The instruction to "look after him" suggests a level of care and protection. The Hebrew word "שָׁמַר" (shamar) is used here, which means to guard, keep, or preserve. This is significant as it highlights God's faithfulness in preserving His servants. Despite the chaos and destruction surrounding the fall of Jerusalem, God ensures that Jeremiah is not only spared but also cared for. This serves as a reminder of God's personal care for His people, even in times of judgment and upheaval.

do not let any harm come to him
This phrase emphasizes the protective measures to be taken for Jeremiah's safety. The Hebrew word for "harm" is "רָעָה" (ra'ah), which can mean evil, distress, or injury. The command to prevent harm reflects God's protective hand over Jeremiah, ensuring that no evil befalls him. It is a testament to God's promise to protect those who are faithful to Him, reinforcing the idea that God is a refuge and fortress for His people.

but do for him whatever he says
The phrase "but do for him whatever he says" indicates a level of respect and autonomy granted to Jeremiah. This is remarkable considering the context of captivity and the usual treatment of conquered peoples. The Hebrew word "עָשָׂה" (asah) means to do, make, or accomplish. This command shows that Jeremiah is not only to be protected but also to be given freedom and respect. It highlights the honor and authority that God bestows upon His faithful servants, even in the eyes of their captors. This serves as an encouragement that God can elevate His people and grant them favor, regardless of their circumstances.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jeremiah
A prophet of God who warned Judah of impending judgment and was often persecuted for his messages.

2. Nebuchadnezzar
The king of Babylon who conquered Jerusalem and issued the command to protect Jeremiah.

3. Nebuzaradan
The captain of the guard under Nebuchadnezzar, tasked with ensuring Jeremiah's safety.

4. Babylon
The empire that conquered Judah and Jerusalem, fulfilling Jeremiah's prophecies of judgment.

5. Jerusalem
The city under siege and eventual conquest by Babylon, marking a pivotal moment in Judah's history.
Teaching Points
Divine Protection
God's protection is evident in Jeremiah's life, reminding us that He is sovereign over all circumstances.

Faithfulness in Adversity
Jeremiah's steadfastness in delivering God's message, despite opposition, encourages us to remain faithful in our own trials.

God's Sovereignty
The command from Nebuchadnezzar to protect Jeremiah demonstrates God's control over nations and leaders.

Favor in Unlikely Places
Just as Jeremiah found favor in Babylon, we can trust God to provide for us in unexpected ways and places.

Obedience to God's Call
Jeremiah's life exemplifies the importance of obedience to God's call, regardless of the challenges we face.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Jeremiah 39:12 demonstrate God's faithfulness to His promises, and how can this encourage us in our own lives?

2. In what ways does the protection of Jeremiah by a foreign king illustrate God's sovereignty over all nations and leaders?

3. How can we apply Jeremiah's example of faithfulness and obedience in the face of adversity to our current challenges?

4. What other biblical figures experienced divine favor in foreign lands, and what can we learn from their accounts?

5. How does understanding God's protection and provision in Jeremiah's life help us trust Him more fully in our own circumstances?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Jeremiah 1:8
God's promise to protect Jeremiah, showing His faithfulness in fulfilling His word.

Daniel 1:9
Similar divine favor shown to Daniel in Babylon, highlighting God's sovereignty in foreign lands.

Psalm 91:11
Assurance of God's protection over His faithful servants, as seen in Jeremiah's life.

Acts 23:11
God's reassurance to Paul of His protection and purpose, paralleling Jeremiah's experience.

Proverbs 21:1
The heart of a king is in the Lord's hand, illustrating how God can use even foreign rulers to accomplish His will.
ChurchwardensS. Conway Jeremiah 39:11-14
God's Servant Delivered from the Judgment of TransgressorsA.F. Muir Jeremiah 39:11-14
The Safety of God's ProphetD. Young Jeremiah 39:11-14
People
Ahikam, Ebedmelech, Gedaliah, Jeremiah, Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadrezzar, Nebushasban, Nebuzaradan, Nergalsharezer, Rabmag, Rabsaris, Samgarnebo, Sarsechim, Shaphan, Sharezer, Zedekiah
Places
Arabah, Babylon, Hamath, Jericho, Jerusalem, Riblah
Topics
Asks, Deal, Evil, Eye, Harm, Harmful, Nothing, Rather, Says, Speaketh, Tells, Whatever
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Jeremiah 39:10

     5448   poverty, attitudes to
     7145   remnant

Jeremiah 39:1-10

     4215   Babylon
     5529   sieges

Jeremiah 39:5-10

     8795   persecution, nature of

Jeremiah 39:8-10

     5508   ruins

Jeremiah 39:9-10

     4538   vineyard

Library
Ebedmelech the Ethiopian
'For I will surely deliver thee, and thou shalt not fall by the sword, but thy life shall be for a prey unto thee: because thou hast put thy trust in Me, saith the Lord.'--JER. xxxix. 18. Ebedmelech is a singular anticipation of that other Ethiopian eunuch whom Philip met on the desert road to Gaza. It is prophetic that on the eve of the fall of the nation, a heathen man should be entering into union with God. It is a picture in little of the rejection of Israel and the ingathering of the Gentiles.
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Last Agony
'In the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and all his army against Jerusalem, and they besieged it. 2. And in the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, the ninth day of the month, the city was broken up. 3. And all the princes of the king of Babylon came in, and sat in the middle gate, even Nergal-sharezer, Samgar-nebo, Sarse-chim, Rab-saris, Nergal-sharezer, Rab-mag, with all the residue of the princes of the king of Babylon.
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Eastern Wise-Men, or Magi, visit Jesus, the New-Born King.
(Jerusalem and Bethlehem, b.c. 4.) ^A Matt. II. 1-12. ^a 1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem [It lies five miles south by west of Jerusalem, a little to the east of the road to Hebron. It occupies part of the summit and sides of a narrow limestone ridge which shoots out eastward from the central chains of the Judæan mountains, and breaks down abruptly into deep valleys on the north, south, and east. Its old name, Ephrath, meant "the fruitful." Bethlehem means "house of bread." Its modern
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

How those who Use Food Intemperately and those who Use it Sparingly are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 20.) Differently to be admonished are the gluttonous and the abstinent. For superfluity of speech, levity of conduct, and lechery accompany the former; but the latter often the sin of impatience, and often that of pride. For were it not the case that immoderate loquacity carries away the gluttonous, that rich man who is said to have fared sumptuously every day would not burn more sorely than elsewhere in his tongue, saying, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

'As Sodom'
'Zedekiah was one and twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Hamutal the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah. 2. And he did that which was evil in the eyes of the Lord, according to all that Jehoiakim had done. 3. For through the anger of the Lord it came to pass in Jerusalem and Judah, till he had cast them out from his presence, that Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon. 4. And it came to pass, in the ninth year of his reign,
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Jeremiah
The interest of the book of Jeremiah is unique. On the one hand, it is our most reliable and elaborate source for the long period of history which it covers; on the other, it presents us with prophecy in its most intensely human phase, manifesting itself through a strangely attractive personality that was subject to like doubts and passions with ourselves. At his call, in 626 B.C., he was young and inexperienced, i. 6, so that he cannot have been born earlier than 650. The political and religious
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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