Jeremiah 27:3

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 Ierusalem vnto Zedekiah king of Iudah. Jeremiah 27:3 (KJV)

Jeremiah 27:3 is part of a larger passage in the book of Jeremiah where God instructs Jeremiah to take a yoke and put it on his neck as a symbolic gesture to convey a message to the surrounding nations. The yoke represented the servitude that these nations would come under, as they were facing the impending judgment and conquest by Babylon.

In this particular verse God commands Jeremiah to send messengers to various neighbouring kings: the king of Edom, the king of Moab, the king of the Ammonites, the king of Tyre, and the king of Sidon. These were nations that surrounded Judah and were in close proximity to Jerusalem.

The purpose of sending these messengers was to deliver a message from God to these kings, emphasising that they, too, were to submit to the yoke of Babylonian rule. By doing so they would avoid the destruction and devastation that would come upon them if they resisted Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon.

This verse highlights God’s sovereignty and control over the affairs of the nations. God was using Babylon as an instrument of judgment against His people and the surrounding nations. Through these messengers God communicated His will to the kings, giving them an opportunity to humble themselves and avoid unnecessary suffering.

Jeremiah’s obedience in delivering these messages, despite their difficult content, demonstrated his faithfulness as a prophet of God. He faithfully relayed the word of the Lord, even when it meant delivering unwelcome news to the kings and their nations.

Overall, Jeremiah 27:3 reminds us of God’s authority over all nations and His ability to use them for His purposes. It also underscores the importance of obedience to God’s commands, even when they may seem difficult or unpopular.