Book of Jeremiah - Chapter 21 - Verse 1

Jeremiah 21:1 begins with the king of Judah, Zedekiah, sending messengers to Jeremiah seeking his guidance during a time of crisis. Pashur, the son of Melchiah, and Zephaniah, the son of Maaseiah, were sent to inquire of the prophet on behalf of the king. This verse sets the stage for a series of messages and prophecies that Jeremiah will deliver to the king and the people of Judah during a tumultuous period in their history.

As the chosen prophet of the Lord, Jeremiah's words were considered to be divinely inspired and held great weight among the people. In this particular instance, Zedekiah turns to Jeremiah for guidance in the midst of political turmoil and military threat. The presence of both a government official (Pashur) and a religious leader (Zephaniah) in the delegation sent to Jeremiah highlights the recognition of Jeremiah's prophetic authority across different spheres of society.

The verse underscores the importance of seeking spiritual counsel and guidance in times of crisis. By turning to the prophet Jeremiah, Zedekiah acknowledges the need for divine wisdom and direction in navigating the challenges facing the kingdom of Judah. This verse serves as a reminder of the significance of seeking God's guidance through his chosen messengers, especially during times of uncertainty and difficulty.

In this verse from the book of Jeremiah, we see the prophet receiving a message from the Lord in response to a message sent to him by King Zedekiah's officials. This interaction between Jeremiah and the officials serves as a crucial moment in Jeremiah's ministry, highlighting the political challenges he faced in delivering God's word to the people of Judah. The mention of specific individuals, such as Pashur the son of Melchiah and Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah, gives us insight into the context in which Jeremiah operated and the opposition he encountered. The theological interpretation of this verse emphasizes the prophet's role as a messenger of God, called to speak truth to power even in the face of resistance from those in authority. Through word studies, we can delve deeper into the meanings of the names mentioned, uncovering layers of significance that shed light on the political and spiritual dynamics at play in this passage.