Jeremiah 38: Group Study Handout

How to use: read Jeremiah 38 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

Leaders hear Jeremiah's prophecy that those who stay in the city will die, while those who surrender to the Chaldeans will live (vv. 1-3). They tell King Zedekiah that Jeremiah weakens the resolve of the people, asking for his death (vv.

Key verse

“So Zedekiah the king swore secretly to Jeremiah, saying, “As Yahweh lives, who made us this soul, I will not put you to death, neither will I give you into the hand of these men who seek your life.”
Jeremiah 38:16 (WEB)

Outline

Jeremiah 38:1–4 Jeremiah's Prophecy and Opposition
Jeremiah 38:5–6 Jeremiah Imprisoned
Jeremiah 38:7–13 Ebed-melech Advocates for Jeremiah
Jeremiah 38:14–20 Jeremiah's Warning to Zedekiah
Jeremiah 38:21–23 Consequences of Refusal
Jeremiah 38:24–27 Zedekiah's Caution
Jeremiah 38:28 Jeremiah's Continued Imprisonment

Discussion questions

In v6, what happens to Jeremiah when he is thrown into the dungeon?
What does Zedekiah promise Jeremiah in v16 regarding his fate?
In vv. 17-18, how does Jeremiah’s message about surrender contrast with Zedekiah’s fears?
Zedekiah's fear of the Jews in v19: how does this affect his response to Jeremiah?
When have you felt pressure to remain silent like Jeremiah did in v24?

Go deeper

Passages that echo Jeremiah 38: Jeremiah 37, Jeremiah 39, Jeremiah 21.

Before next time: read Jeremiah 39.