Jeremiah 38:20

But Ieremiah said, They shall not deliuer thee: obey, I beseech thee, the voyce of the Lord, which I speake vnto thee: so it shall be well vnto thee, and thy soule shall liue. Jeremiah 38:20 (KJV)

In this verse the prophet Jeremiah is speaking during the desperate siege of Jerusalem by the Babylonian army. He addresses King Zedekiah and the officials who had placed him in a cistern, warning them that no rescue will come if they refuse to obey the Lord’s command.

“​But Jeremiah said, They shall not deliver thee.” Jeremiah responds to the king’s plea for divine intervention, declaring plainly that the city will not be saved unless the people submit to God’s will. The statement underscores the certainty of judgment when the people persist in rebellion.

“Obey, I beseech thee, the voice of the LORD, which speak unto thee.” Jeremiah urges his listeners to heed the Lord’s message. Throughout his ministry he faithfully proclaimed God’s call to repentance and urged submission to divine judgment as the only path to mercy and life.

“So it shall be well unto thee, and thy soul shall live.” He promises that obedience to God’s voice brings preservation and wellbeing. The implication is that ignoring the prophetic warning would lead to severe consequences, including death and destruction.

This passage teaches several important lessons. First, the importance of obedience to God: listening to and obeying the Lord’s voice is essential for the wellbeing and preservation of one’s life. Second, the seriousness of sin and its consequences: sin separates people from God and leads to destruction if left unrepented. Third, the need for repentance: the call to obedience inherently calls for a humble turning away from wrongdoing and submission to God’s judgment.

In summary, Jeremiah 38:20 conveys a clear message of obedience, repentance, and the consequences of disobedience. It reminds believers to heed God’s voice, turn away from sin, and submit to His will in order to find true life and wellbeing.