Jérémie - Caput 38

Jérémie 38.1 audivit autem Saphatias filius Matthan et Gedelias filius Phassur et Iuchal filius Selemiae et Phassur filius Melchiae sermones quos Hieremias loquebatur ad omnem populum dicens Jérémie 38.2 haec dicit Dominus quicumque manserit in civitate hac morietur gladio et fame et peste qui autem profugerit ad Chaldeos vivet et erit anima eius sospes et vivens Jérémie 38.3 haec dicit Dominus tradenda tradetur civitas haec in manu exercitus regis Babylonis et capiet eam Jérémie 38.4 et dixerunt principes regi rogamus ut occidatur homo iste de industria enim dissolvit manus virorum bellantium qui remanserunt in civitate hac et manus universi populi loquens ad eos iuxta verba haec siquidem homo hic non quaerit pacem populi huius sed malum Jérémie 38.5 et dixit rex Sedecias ecce ipse in manibus vestris est nec enim fas est regem vobis quicquam negare Jérémie 38.6 tulerunt ergo Hieremiam et proiecerunt eum in lacu Melchiae filii Ammelech qui erat in vestibulo carceris et submiserunt Hieremiam in funibus et in lacum non erat aqua sed lutum descendit itaque Hieremias in caenum Jérémie 38.7 audivit autem Abdemelech Aethiops vir eunuchus qui erat in domo regis quod misissent Hieremiam in lacum porro rex sedebat in porta Beniamin Jérémie 38.8 et egressus est Abdemelech de domo regis et locutus est ad regem dicens Jérémie 38.9 domine mi rex malefecerunt viri isti omnia quaecumque perpetrarunt contra Hieremiam prophetam mittentes eum in lacum ut moriatur ibi fame non sunt enim panes ultra in civitate Jérémie 38.10 praecepit itaque rex Abdemelech Aethiopi dicens tolle tecum hinc triginta viros et leva Hieremiam prophetam de lacu antequam moriatur Jérémie 38.11 adsumptis ergo Abdemelech secum viris ingressus est domum regis quae erat sub cellario et tulit inde veteres pannos et antiqua quae conputruerant et submisit ea ad Hieremiam in lacum per funiculos Jérémie 38.12 dixitque Abdemelech Aethiops ad Hieremiam pone veteres pannos et haec scissa et putrida sub cubitu manuum tuarum et subter funes fecit ergo Hieremias sic Jérémie 38.13 et extraxerunt Hieremiam funibus et eduxerunt eum de lacu mansit autem Hieremias in vestibulo carceris Jérémie 38.14 et misit rex Sedecias et tulit ad se Hieremiam prophetam ad ostium tertium quod erat in domo Domini et dixit rex ad Hieremiam interrogo ego te sermonem ne abscondas a me aliquid Jérémie 38.15 dixit autem Hieremias ad Sedeciam si adnuntiavero tibi numquid non interficies me et si consilium tibi dedero non me audies Jérémie 38.16 iuravit ergo rex Sedecias Hieremiae clam dicens vivit Dominus qui fecit nobis animam hanc si occidero te et si tradidero te in manu virorum istorum qui quaerunt animam tuam Jérémie 38.17 et dixit Hieremias ad Sedeciam haec dicit Dominus exercituum Deus Israhel si profectus exieris ad principes regis Babylonis vivet anima tua et civitas haec non succendetur igni et salvus eris tu et domus tua Jérémie 38.18 si autem non exieris ad principes regis Babylonis tradetur civitas haec in manu Chaldeorum et succendent eam igni et tu non effugies de manu eorum Jérémie 38.19 et dixit rex Sedecias ad Hieremiam sollicitus sum propter Iudaeos qui transfugerunt ad Chaldeos ne forte tradar in manus eorum et inludant mihi Jérémie 38.20 respondit autem Hieremias non te tradent audi quaeso vocem Domini quam ego loquor ad te et bene tibi erit et vivet anima tua Jérémie 38.21 quod si nolueris egredi iste est sermo quem ostendit mihi Dominus Jérémie 38.22 ecce omnes mulieres quae remanserunt in domo regis Iuda educentur ad principes regis Babylonis et ipsae dicent seduxerunt te et praevaluerunt adversum te viri pacifici tui demerserunt in caeno et lubrico pedes tuos et recesserunt a te Jérémie 38.23 et omnes uxores tuae et filii tui educentur ad Chaldeos et non effugies manus eorum sed in manu regis Babylonis capieris et civitatem hanc conburet igni Jérémie 38.24 dixit ergo Sedecias ad Hieremiam nullus sciat verba haec et non morieris Jérémie 38.25 si autem audierint principes quia locutus sum tecum et venerint ad te et dixerint tibi indica nobis quid locutus sis cum rege ne celes nos et non te interficiemus et quid locutus est tecum rex Jérémie 38.26 dices ad eos prostravi ego preces meas coram rege ne me reduci iuberet in domum Ionathan et ibi morerer Jérémie 38.27 venerunt ergo omnes principes ad Hieremiam et interrogaverunt eum et locutus est eis iuxta omnia verba quae praeceperat ei rex et cessaverunt ab eo nihil enim fuerat auditum Jérémie 38.28 mansit vero Hieremias in vestibulo carceris usque ad diem quo capta est Hierusalem et factum est ut caperetur Hierusalem

Jérémie : Caput 38

The Conflict Between Prophetic Truth and Political Power

Chapter 38 of the book of Jeremiah exposes with striking intensity the conflict between prophetic truth and political power. This text invites us to reflect on the price Jeremiah pays for his faithfulness to God's word. He is subjected to a conspiracy, imprisoned in a muddy cistern, and then rescued by Ebed-melech. Through this story, we discover profound themes such as persecution, moral courage, and divine intervention.

Zedekiah's Last Chance for Obedience

Jeremiah 38 is not limited to the prophet's personal story. It also reveals the last chance for obedience of Zedekiah, the king of Judah. This critical moment teaches us the importance of choosing the path of faithfulness to God, even in the face of considerable pressure.

Five Enlightening Bible Passages

Let's consider together five Bible passages that highlight the enduring principles of this powerful chapter:

Psalm 88:6

"You have set me in the lowest pit, in the deep darkness. » This psalm resonates deeply with Jeremiah's situation when he was thrown into the pit, as described in Jeremiah 38:6.

Proverbs 29:25

"The fear of man is a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe." » This proverb illustrates Jeremiah's situation when faced with the threat of the king's officials, as we see in Jeremiah 38.

Acts 5:29

"Peter and the other apostles replied, 'We must obey God rather than men!' » » This statement by the apostles echoes Jeremiah's resolute attitude, as he continues to prophesy despite threats, as shown in Jeremiah 38.

Daniel 6:16

"Then the king gave the order, and Daniel was brought and thrown into the lions' den. The king said to Daniel, 'May your God, whom you continually serve, deliver you!'" » » Daniel's situation, thrown into the lions' den, recalls that of Jeremiah in the pit in Jeremiah 38.

Matthew 10:28

"Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell." This teaching of Jesus reflects Jeremiah's courage and determination in the face of death threats in Jeremiah 38.

As we meditate on these passages, we are called to remain firm in our faith, to seek the truth, and to be courageous, just as Jeremiah did in tragic circumstances. May these reflections nourish our spiritual life and our commitment to the Word of God.