Jeremiah 21: Group Study Handout

How to use: read Jeremiah 21 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

King Zedekiah sends Pashhur and Zephaniah to inquire of Yahweh as Nebuchadnezzar attacks Jerusalem (vv. 1-2). Jeremiah tells Zedekiah that Yahweh will fight against him. Yahweh will turn the weapons of war against the people (vv. 3-5). The city will suffer great pestilence, and many will die (vv. 6-7). Jeremiah warns the people that they have a choice between life and death (vv. 8-9). Those who stay in the city will die, but those who surrender to the Chaldeans will live (v. 10). Zedekiah is told to execute justice, or there will be severe consequences (vv. 11-12). Yahweh warns the inhabitants of the valley that He will punish them for their evil deeds (vv. 13-14). He will set their forest on fire.

Key verse

“You shall say to this people, ‘Yahweh says: “Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death.”
Jeremiah 21:8 (WEB)

Outline

Jeremiah 21:1–2 Zedekiah Seeks Jeremiah's Counsel
Jeremiah 21:3–7 God's Judgment Declared
Jeremiah 21:8–10 Life or Death Presented
Jeremiah 21:11–14 Call for Justice and Warning

Discussion questions

In v1, who sends Pashhur and Zephaniah to inquire of Yahweh?
What does Jeremiah say will happen to the inhabitants of the city in v6?
In vv. 9-10, what does the choice to go out to the Chaldeans signify for those in Jerusalem?
In v12, why does Yahweh emphasize 'execute justice in the morning' to the house of David?
When have you faced a difficult decision that reminded you of 'the way of life and the way of death' (v8)?

Go deeper

Passages that echo Jeremiah 21: Jeremiah 38, Jeremiah 37, Jeremiah 32.

Before next time: read Jeremiah 22.