A Matter of Fact

Jeremiah 39:1-2 KJV

In the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, came Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon and all his army against Jerusalem, and they besieged it.

And in the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, the ninth day of the month, the city was broken up.

The matter of fact nature of this passage is striking. After years of Jeremiah's preaching:After attacks on his person

• After charges against his character 
• After periods of imprisonment and even
• After Jeremiah's own bout with depression 

What he had preached would happen, did. 

Nobody had ever believed him. He was considered: 

• Radical
• Traitorous to Israel and a 
• Stirrer of sedition

It was impossible for them to think that, even if he was right, it was beneficial to do as he advised. Even if they did lose, shouldn't they put up a good fight first? The king even entertained his message for a time. (I think he likely wished he had the courage to heed it. But he did not and calamity ensued.) 

• The Chaldeans took the city
• The Kings children were killed before his eyes
• The Kings eyes were poked out and
• The city was leveled 

Just as God had said. 

We too wrestle with God's Word in many respects. We know it to be true. We want to hear from God. But we want to hear good things. When the message is contrary to our own logic something in us tells us we ought to take heed to it. But we often do not. “Surely we can get by on reason and a little faith behind it.” 

It didn't work for Jerusalem. 

It will not work for us. 

Only the Bible is true. Only God's Word is correct. If we heed it we head toward blessing. If we do not, we forsake it to our destruction.