Embracing God’s Will: A Coptic Orthodox Commentary on Jeremiah 27 and Submission to Babylon
✨ Executive Summary
Jeremiah 27 delivers a powerful message of submission to the Babylonian yoke as God’s ordained judgment against Judah. This seemingly harsh decree isn’t about blind obedience but about recognizing God’s sovereignty and His purposes even in suffering. The prophet Jeremiah dramatically embodies this message by wearing a yoke himself, urging kings and nations to bow before Nebuchadnezzar. The chapter exposes false prophets who offer false hope, contrasting their lies with Jeremiah’s difficult truth. This is a profound call to discernment, urging us to distinguish between comforting lies and the often-challenging truth of God’s will. The chapter reminds us that true faith involves obedience, humility, and trust in God’s plan, even when it doesn’t align with our desires. We are called to cultivate inner submission, resisting the temptation to rebel against the challenges life brings, and trust in God’s ultimate redemption. Let us delve into understanding how obedience, even under hardship, aligns us with God’s divine plan and prepares us for future glory.
Jeremiah 27 presents a challenging yet crucial lesson: accepting God’s will, even when it involves submission to hardship. This chapter, focused on submission to Babylon, offers deep insights into divine judgment, the dangers of false prophecy, and the importance of discerning God’s voice amidst chaos. We shall explore the historical context, the theological implications, and the practical applications for our lives today, drawing from the wisdom of the Holy Fathers and the rich traditions of the Coptic Orthodox Church. Understanding Jeremiah’s message demands acknowledging God’s power and the potential for redemption through obedience.
📜 Commentary: Jeremiah 27 Verse by Verse
Jeremiah 27:1
Hebrew: הַדָּבָר אֲשֶׁר הָיָה אֶל־יִרְמְיָהוּ מֵאֵת יְהוָה בִּתְחִלַּת מַמְלֶכֶת יְהוֹיָקִים בֶּן־יֹאשִׁיָּהוּ מֶלֶךְ יְהוּדָה לֵאמֹר
KJV: In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah came this word unto Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,
NKJV: In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, this word came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying,
This verse sets the stage. The prophecy arrives at the commencement of Jehoiakim’s reign, a period marked by political instability and spiritual decline. Jehoiakim rejected the reforms of his righteous father, Josiah, leading the nation further into idolatry and injustice. This backdrop highlights the urgency and gravity of Jeremiah’s message. It’s crucial to remember that God speaks into specific historical moments, addressing the sins and needs of His people within their unique context.
💡 Spiritual Application: We, too, must listen attentively to God’s word in our own times, discerning His voice amidst the noise and chaos of the world. Just as God spoke to Jeremiah in a time of national crisis, He speaks to us through Scripture, the Church Fathers, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Are we attentive and receptive to His message?
Jeremiah 27:2-3
Hebrew: כֹּה אָמַר יְהוָה אֵלַי עֲשֵׂה לְךָ מוֹטֹת וּמֹטוֹת וּנְתַתָּם עַל־צַוָּארֶךָ׃ וְשִׁלַּחְתָּם אֶל־מַלְכֵי אֱדוֹם וְאֶל־מַלְכֵי מוֹאָב וְאֶל־מַלְכֵי בְנֵי עַמּוֹן וְאֶל־מַלְכֵי־צֹר וְאֶל־מַלְכֵי צִידוֹן בְּיַד מַלְאָכִים הַבָּאִים יְרוּשָׁלִַם אֶל־צִדְקִיָּהוּ מֶלֶךְ־יְהוּדָה
KJV: Thus saith the LORD to me; Make thee bonds and yokes, and put them upon thy neck, And send them to the king of Edom, and to the king of Moab, and to the king of the Ammonites, and to the king of Tyrus, and to the king of Zidon, by the hand of the messengers which come to Jerusalem unto Zedekiah king of Judah;
NKJV: Thus says the Lord to me: “Make for yourselves bonds and yokes, and put them on your neck, and send them to the king of Edom, the king of Moab, the king of the Ammonites, the king of Tyre, and the king of Sidon, by the hand of the messengers who come to Jerusalem to Zedekiah king of Judah.
Here, Jeremiah is commanded to create yokes and send them to the surrounding nations, a symbolic act illustrating their impending subjugation under Babylon. The yoke represents servitude and hardship. This is not merely a visual aid; it’s a prophetic performance meant to drive home the reality of God’s judgment. The selection of these specific nations highlights the extent of Babylonian influence and the widespread nature of the impending captivity.
As St. Cyril of Alexandria writes, “Οὐ γὰρ ἁπλῶς ἔδειξεν, ἀλλὰ καὶ ἐποίησεν, ἵνα βεβαιότερον πιστεύσωσι τοῖς λεγομένοις.” (Commentary on Jeremiah). “For he did not simply show, but also did, so that they might more firmly believe what was said.” This illustrates the power of prophetic action in conveying God’s message.
🕊️ Spiritual Application: God often calls us to unconventional actions to demonstrate our faith and obedience. This could involve acts of service, sacrifice, or even bearing burdens that seem unfair. Are we willing to embrace these yokes, trusting that God has a purpose in them? Are we willing to accept things we have no power to change, using the energy instead on things we can, like using a service like DoHost website builder to build up God’s kingdom?
Jeremiah 27:4-8
Hebrew: וְצִוִּיתָה אוֹתָם אֶל־אֲדֹנֵיהֶם לֵאמֹר כֹּה אָמַר יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל כֹּה תֹאמְרוּ אֶל־אֲדֹנֵיכֶם׃ אָנֹכִי עָשִׂיתִי אֶת־הָאָרֶץ אֶת־הָאָדָם וְאֶת־הַבְּהֵמָה אֲשֶׁר עַל־פְּנֵי הָאָרֶץ בְּכֹחִי הַגָּדוֹל וּבִזְרֹעִי הַנְּטוּיָה וּנְתַתִּיהָ לַאֲשֶׁר יָשַׁר בְּעֵינָי׃ וְעַתָּה אָנֹכִי נָתַתִּי אֶת־כָּל־הָאֲרָצוֹת הָאֵלֶּה בְּיַד נְבוּכַדְנֶאצַּר מֶלֶךְ־בָּבֶל עַבְדִּי וְגַם אֶת־חַיַּת הַשָּׂדֶה נָתַתִּי לוֹ לְעָבְדוֹ׃ וְעָבְדוּ אֹתוֹ כָּל־הַגּוֹיִם וְאֶת־בְּנוֹ וְאֶת־בֶּן־בְּנוֹ עַד־בֹּא עֵת־אַרְצוֹ גַּם־הוּא וְעָבְדוּ בוֹ גּוֹיִם רַבִּים וּמְלָכִים גְּדֹלִים׃ וְהָיָה הַגּוֹי וְהַמַּמְלָכָה אֲשֶׁר לֹא־יַעַבְדוּ אֹתוֹ אֶת־נְבוּכַדְנֶאצַּר מֶלֶךְ־בָּבֶל וְאֵת אֲשֶׁר לֹא־יִתֵּן אֶת־צַוָּארוֹ בְּעֹל מֶלֶךְ־בָּבֶל בַּחֶרֶב וּבָרָעָב וּבַדֶּבֶר אֶפְקֹד עַל־הַגּוֹי הַהוּא נְאֻם־יְהוָה עַד־תֻּמִּי אֹתָם בְּיָדוֹ׃
KJV: And command them to their masters, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Thus shall ye say unto your masters; I have made the earth, the man and the beast that are upon the ground, by my great power and by my outstretched arm, and have given it unto whom it seemed meet unto me. And now have I given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, my servant; and the beasts of the field have I given him also to serve him. And all nations shall serve him, and his son, and his son’s son, until the very time of his land come: and then many nations and great kings shall serve themselves of him. And it shall come to pass, that the nation and kingdom which will not serve the same Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, and that will not put their neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon, that nation will I punish, saith the LORD, with the sword, with the famine, and with the pestilence, until I have consumed them by his hand.
NKJV: and give them a message to their masters, saying, “Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel—thus you shall say to your masters: ‘I have made the earth, the man, and the beast that are on the ground, by My great power and by My outstretched arm, and have given it to whom it seemed proper to Me. And now I have given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, My servant; and the beasts of the field I have also given him to serve him. So all nations shall serve him and his son and his son’s son, until the time of his own land comes; then many nations and great kings shall make him serve them. And it shall be that the nation and kingdom which will not serve Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, and which will not put its neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon, that nation I will punish,’ says the Lord, ‘with the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, until I have consumed them by his hand.
This is the core of the message: God has sovereignly given authority to Nebuchadnezzar. The Lord, Creator of all, has chosen Babylon as His instrument of judgment. Nebuchadnezzar is even called God’s “servant.” This isn’t an endorsement of Nebuchadnezzar’s personal righteousness, but a recognition of God’s use of him for His purposes. Resistance is not only futile but also rebellion against God’s plan.
Origen writes: “Θεοῦ ἡ βουλὴ ἐν παντὶ κρατεῖ, καὶ οὐδὲν γίνεται παρὰ τὴν αὐτοῦ πρόνοιαν.” (De Principiis, Book III, Chapter 2). “The will of God prevails in everything, and nothing happens apart from His providence.” This underscores the idea that even seemingly negative events occur within God’s sovereign plan.
📖 Spiritual Application: Accepting God’s sovereignty means acknowledging His control even when circumstances are difficult or undesirable. It means trusting that He is working all things together for good, even when we cannot see the bigger picture. This requires humility and a willingness to submit to His will, even when it contradicts our own desires. True freedom is found in complete surrender to God’s providence.
Jeremiah 27:9-11
Hebrew: וְאַתֶּם אַל־תִּשְׁמְעוּ אֶל־נְבִיאֵיכֶם וְאֶל־קֹסְמֵיכֶם וְאֶל־חֲלֹמֹתֵיכֶם וְאֶל־עֹנְנֵיכֶם וְאֶל־כֹּשְׁפֵיכֶם אֲשֶׁר הֵם אֹמְרִים אֲלֵיכֶם לֵאמֹר לֹא תַעַבְדוּ אֶת־מֶלֶךְ בָּבֶל׃ כִּי־שֶׁקֶר הֵם נִבְּאִים לָכֶם לְמַעַן הַרְחִיק אֶתְכֶם מֵעַל אַדְמַתְכֶם וְהִדַּחְתִּי אֶתְכֶם וַאֲבַדְתֶּם׃ וְהַגּוֹי אֲשֶׁר־יָבִיא אֶת־צַוָּארוֹ בְּעֹל מֶלֶךְ־בָּבֶל וַעֲבָדוֹ וְהִנַּחְתִּיו עַל־אַדְמָתוֹ נְאֻם־יְהוָה וַעֲבָדָהּ וְיָשַׁב בָּהּ׃
KJV: Therefore hearken not ye to your prophets, nor to your diviners, nor to your dreamers, nor to your enchanters, nor to your sorcerers, which speak unto you, saying, Ye shall not serve the king of Babylon: For they prophesy a lie unto you, to remove you far from your land; and that I should drive you out, and ye should perish. But the nations that bring their neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon, and serve him, those will I let remain still in their own land, saith the LORD; and they shall till it, and dwell therein.
NKJV: Therefore do not listen to your prophets, your diviners, your dreamers, your soothsayers, or your sorcerers, who speak to you, saying, “You shall not serve the king of Babylon.” For they prophesy a lie to you, to remove you far from your land; and I will drive you out, and you will perish. But the nations that bring their necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon and serve him, I will let remain in their own land,’ says the Lord, ‘and they shall till it and dwell in it.’”
This section warns against listening to false prophets who promise deliverance from Babylon. These prophets offer comforting lies that appeal to national pride and the desire for freedom, but their prophecies are deceitful and will lead to destruction. Jeremiah emphasizes the importance of discerning true prophecy from false prophecy, a crucial skill in navigating spiritual truth.
St. Ignatius of Antioch warns against those who teach differently, “Εἴ τις ἑτεροδιδασκαλεῖ, χωρὶς τοῦ σταυροῦ τοῦ Χριστοῦ, χωρὶς τοῦ πάθους αὐτοῦ, χωρὶς τῆς ἀναστάσεως αὐτοῦ, διάβολος ἐστί.” (Epistle to the Trallians, 9). “If anyone teaches differently, apart from the cross of Christ, apart from His passion, apart from His resurrection, he is of the devil.” This illustrates the danger of doctrines that deviate from the core message of Christ.
✨ Spiritual Application: We must be discerning in the voices we listen to, testing every teaching against the Word of God and the teachings of the Church. False prophets often appeal to our desires for comfort and ease, while true prophets may deliver difficult truths that challenge us to change. Cultivating spiritual discernment requires prayer, study, and a willingness to submit to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Consider finding a domain name and starting a blog to share what you learn.
Jeremiah 27:12-15
Hebrew: וְאֶל־צִדְקִיָּהוּ מֶלֶךְ־יְהוּדָה דִּבַּרְתִּי כְּכָל־הַדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה לֵאמֹר הָבִיאוּ צַוַּארְכֶם בְּעֹל מֶלֶךְ־בָּבֶל וְעִבְדוּ אֹתוֹ וְאֶת־עַמּוֹ וִחְיוּ׃ לָמָּה תָמוּתוּ אַתָּה וְעַמְּךָ בַּחֶרֶב בָּרָעָב וּבַדָּבֶר כַּאֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר יְהוָה אֶל־הַגּוֹי אֲשֶׁר לֹא־יַעֲבֹד אֶת־מֶלֶךְ בָּבֶל׃ וְאַל־תִּשְׁמְעוּ אֶל־דִּבְרֵי הַנְּבִיאִים הָאֹמְרִים אֲלֵיכֶם לֵאמֹר לֹא תַעַבְדוּ אֶת־מֶלֶךְ בָּבֶל כִּי־שֶׁקֶר הֵם נִבְּאִים לָכֶם׃ כִּי לֹא־שְׁלַחְתִּים נְאֻם־יְהוָה וְהֵם נִבְּאִים לָכֶם בַּשָּׁקֶר לְמַעַן הַדִּיחִי אֶתְכֶם וְהַאֲבַדְתִּי אֶתְכֶם וְאֶת־הַנְּבִיאִים הַנִּבְּאִים לָכֶם׃
KJV: I spake also to Zedekiah king of Judah according to all these words, saying, Bring your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon, and serve him and his people, and live. Why will ye die, thou and thy people, by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence, as the LORD hath spoken against the nation that will not serve the king of Babylon? Therefore hearken not unto the words of the prophets that speak unto you, saying, Ye shall not serve the king of Babylon: for they prophesy a lie unto you. For I have not sent them, saith the LORD, yet they prophesy a lie unto you; that I might drive you out, and that ye might perish, ye, and the prophets that prophesy unto you.
NKJV: I also spoke to Zedekiah king of Judah according to all these words, saying, “Bring your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon, and serve him and his people, and live! Why should you die, you and your people, by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence, as the Lord has spoken against the nation that will not serve the king of Babylon? Therefore do not listen to the words of the prophets who speak to you, saying, ‘You shall not serve the king of Babylon,’ for they prophesy a lie to you; for I have not sent them,” says the Lord, “yet they prophesy a lie to you, that I might drive you out and that you might perish, you and the prophets who prophesy to you.”
Jeremiah directly addresses King Zedekiah, urging him to submit to Babylon. He frames submission as a choice between life and death. This highlights the severe consequences of rejecting God’s will. Zedekiah, caught between the counsel of Jeremiah and the pressure from nationalist factions, faces a difficult decision. This demonstrates the weight of leadership and the importance of seeking God’s guidance above popular opinion.
📖 Spiritual Application: We often face choices between following God’s will and pursuing our own desires or the expectations of others. Just as Zedekiah had to choose between life and death, we must choose between obedience and disobedience. Are we willing to prioritize God’s will, even when it is unpopular or difficult? Are we seeking His guidance in every decision we make?
Jeremiah 27:16-22
Hebrew: וְאֶל־הַכֹּהֲנִים וְאֶל־כָּל־הָעָם דִּבַּרְתִּי לֵאמֹר כֹּה אָמַר יְהוָה אַל־תִּשְׁמְעוּ אֶל־דִּבְרֵי נְבִיאֵיכֶם הַנִּבְּאִים לָכֶם לֵאמֹר הִנֵּה כְלֵי בֵית־יְהוָה מוּשָׁבִים מִבָּבֶל עַתָּה מְהֵרָה כִּי־שֶׁקֶר הֵם נִבְּאִים לָכֶם׃ אַל־תִּשְׁמְעוּ אֲלֵיהֶם עִבְדוּ אֶת־מֶלֶךְ בָּבֶל וִחְיוּ לָמָּה תִּהְיֶה הָעִיר הַזֹּאת חָרֵבָה׃ וְאִם־נְבִיאִים הֵם וְאִם־יֵשׁ דְּבַר־יְהוָה אִתָּם יִפְגְּעוּ־נָא אֶת־יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת לְבִלְתִּי־בֹא הַכֵּלִים הַנּוֹתָרִים בְּבֵית־יְהוָה וּבְבֵית מֶלֶךְ־יְהוּדָה וּבִירוּשָׁלִַם אֶל־בָּבֶל׃ כִּי־כֹה אָמַר יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת עַל־הַכֵּלִים הַנּוֹתָרִים אֶל־בֵּית־יְהוָה וְאֶל־בֵּית מֶלֶךְ־יְהוּדָה וְאֶל־יְרוּשָׁלִָם׃ בָּבֶלָה יוּבָאוּ וְשָׁם יִהְיוּ עַד־יוֹם פָּקְדִּי אֹתָם נְאֻם־יְהוָה וְהַעֲלִתִים וַהֲשִׁבֹתִים אֶל־הַמָּקוֹם הַזֶּה׃
KJV: Also I spake to the priests and to all this people, saying, Thus saith the LORD; Hearken not to the words of your prophets that prophesy unto you, saying, Behold, the vessels of the LORD’S house shall now shortly be brought again from Babylon: for they prophesy a lie unto you. Hearken not unto them; serve the king of Babylon, and live: wherefore should this city be laid waste? But if they be prophets, and if the word of the LORD be with them, let them now make intercession to the LORD of hosts, that the vessels which are left in the house of the LORD, and in the house of the king of Judah, and at Jerusalem, go not into Babylon. For thus saith the LORD of hosts concerning the vessels that remain in the house of the LORD, and in the house of the king of Judah, and in Jerusalem; They shall be carried into Babylon, and there shall they be until the day that I visit them, saith the LORD; then will I bring them up, and restore them to this place.
NKJV: Also I spoke to the priests and to all this people, saying, “Thus says the Lord: ‘Do not listen to the words of your prophets who prophesy to you, saying, “Behold, the vessels of the Lord’s house will now shortly be brought back from Babylon”; for they prophesy a lie to you. Do not listen to them; serve the king of Babylon, and live! Why should this city be laid waste? But if they are prophets, and if the word of the Lord is with them, let them now intercede with the Lord of hosts, that the vessels which are left in the house of the Lord, in the house of the king of Judah, and at Jerusalem, do not go to Babylon.’ For thus says the Lord of hosts concerning the vessels that remain in the house of the Lord, and in the house of the king of Judah, and in Jerusalem: ‘They shall be carried to Babylon, and there they shall be until the day that I visit them,’ says the Lord. ‘Then I will bring them up and restore them to this place.’”
Jeremiah addresses the priests and the people, rebuking the false prophets who claim the Temple vessels will soon be returned from Babylon. He challenges these prophets to intercede with God to prevent the remaining vessels from being taken away. This highlights the futility of their prophecies and the impending complete destruction. The promise of future restoration offers a glimmer of hope amidst the judgment, reminding them that God’s wrath is not eternal.
📖 Spiritual Application: We must be wary of false hopes and empty promises, especially when they contradict the clear teachings of Scripture and the Church. True hope is rooted in God’s faithfulness and His promise of ultimate redemption, even in the midst of suffering and hardship. We are called to persevere in faith, trusting that God will ultimately restore all things in His perfect timing.
❓ FAQ: Jeremiah 27 and Submission to Babylon
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Q: Why would God command His people to submit to a pagan king like Nebuchadnezzar?
A: God used Nebuchadnezzar as an instrument of judgment against Judah’s sin. This wasn’t an endorsement of Nebuchadnezzar’s wickedness but a demonstration of God’s sovereignty over all nations. Submitting was a call to humility and recognition of God’s authority, even in punishment. It shows that sometimes God uses uncomfortable situations for a greater plan.
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Q: How can we discern between true and false prophecy today?
A: True prophecy aligns with Scripture, the teachings of the Church Fathers, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. False prophets often appeal to our desires for comfort and ease, while true prophets may deliver difficult truths that challenge us to change. We must test every teaching against the established foundations of faith.
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Q: What does submission to Babylon teach us about our response to suffering?
A: Submission to Babylon teaches us to accept God’s will, even when it involves hardship and suffering. It reminds us that God is sovereign and that He is working all things together for good, even when we cannot see the bigger picture. This requires humility, trust, and a willingness to surrender our own desires to His perfect plan. This kind of trust can create peace during chaotic situations.
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Q: How does the promise of future restoration relate to our hope in Christ?
A: The promise of future restoration in Jeremiah 27 foreshadows the ultimate restoration we find in Christ. Just as God promised to bring His people back from exile, He has promised to redeem us from sin and death through the sacrifice of His Son. Our hope in Christ is a hope of complete and eternal restoration, a new creation where all things are made new. This is the ultimate promise that sustains us through trials and tribulations.
💡 Conclusion
Jeremiah 27, with its stark message of submission to Babylon, is a potent reminder of God’s sovereignty and our need for obedience, even in the face of adversity. The chapter urges us to discern truth from falsehood, to resist the allure of comforting lies, and to embrace the often-difficult path of submission to God’s will. By trusting in God’s plan, even when it involves hardship, we align ourselves with His divine purpose and prepare ourselves for future glory. The call to submission is not a call to passive resignation but a call to active trust in God’s unfailing love and ultimate redemption. Let us embrace the “yokes” of life, trusting that God is working all things for our good and His glory.