Before Reading.
- Centering prayer— Pray for illumination, “Lord, open my heart and mind by the power of the Holy Spirit,” and remain in silence.
Reading.
- Read slowly, keeping any words or phrase that come to your mind, and mark on them.
- Close eyes and meditate on what you read.
- Take a note if you have question, inspiration.
Read Jeremiah 38
Jeremiah was thrown into a muddy cistern.
Overview.
A group of pro-Egyptian officials of King Zedekiah accused Jeremiah of prophesizing surrender to the King of Babylonia. They thought Jeremiah intended to harm rather than the welfare of the people. King Zedekiah handed Jeremiah to the officials, and they put him into muddy cistern.
Jeremiah was rescued by a foreign court official from Cushite, upper Nile region. And King Zedekiah, uncertain and fearful, called Jeremiah for a private conversation. Asking the King for his safety, Jeremiah assured the King Zedekiah of safety from Judean deserters (v.19), if he surrender to Babylonia. King Zedekiah ordered Jeremiah to keep their conversation secret. But the King put Jeremiah custody in the courtyard of the guard
This episode happened before the fall of Jerusalem by Babylonia. The fall of the city resulted in the release of Jeremiah and the fulfillment of his prophetic word.
Reflection.
1. What does this passage tell you about God?
2. What does this passage tell you about people.?
3. What does this passage tell you about yourself and God’s will for you?
