Today's first reading is part of a series of prophecies at the end of Jeremiah warning that God's judgment will not fall only on the chosen people. The other nations will also be punished in due course. Perhaps the most memorable prophecy is against the Babylonians, who ultimately defeated the Jews and destroyed Jerusalem. The exiled Jews will be saved and restored, while the powerful Babylonians will be utterly defeated. In fact, the ruins will cause people to marvel at how far they fell.
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The second reading is the conclusion of Jeremiah, which details the final capture and destruction of Jerusalem. The last king, a vassal of the Babylonians named Zedekiah, foolishly rebels. The armies of Nebuchadnezzar put down the revolt with a complete show of force. They again capture Jerusalem and completely destroy the city. They kill all of the king's children, gouge his eyes, and carry him into exile. Only after the death of Nebuchadnezzar do things look slightly better for the Jewish exiles. One of the Babylonian king's successors releases a previous Jewish king, Jehoiachin, from jail and recognizes his status as a king. (This brief ray of hope is the first step to the restoration of the Jewish kingdom.)
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Reading the Bible in Its Entirety
If you are planning to read the Bible in its entirety, you should read Jeremiah 48-52 today.
If you are planning to read the Bible in its entirety, you should read Jeremiah 48-52 today.
