How can lasting change happen? (Jeremiah 34)
Jer 34:1-22
A Christian woman I know was looking after her ailing mother who was extremely controlling and tried to arrange her daughter’s life for her. While the daughter felt that her mother needed her, she could not cope with living with her and decided to move out. When confronted with her behaviour, the mother (also a Christian) acknowledged that she did wrong even though it arose from her desire to see her daughter happy. She repented and promised not to interfere in her daughter’s life and in turn, the daughter decided to stay. For a few months the relationship improved, but then the manipulation, the control, the tears and tantrums re-started. Why is it that some people are able to make a clear and lasting change and others are not? What does it take to break with past forms of behaviour?
Change that is only skin-deep
The incident in our reading has a similar pattern. King Zedekiah takes a radical step of obedience to have all Hebrew slaves released (Jer 34:8-10). These would have been impoverished people who sold themselves to cover unpaid debt. The law required such to be freed after six years (Exod 21:1-11; Deut 15:1-18) and it was a reminder that God had likewise released Israel from bondage (Jer 34:13; Deut 15:15). A sacred covenant was made in the temple where the covenanters walked between the cut-up pieces of a calf thereby taking on themselves a self-curse that the same fate may overtake them if they broke the covenant (Jer 34:15, 18-19 cf. Gen 15:7-21). However, shortly after, the released people were enslaved by their former owners again (Jer 34:11, 16). The chapter does not tell us the reason either for the release nor the retraction of the promise, but our reading gives us some clues.
A desperate situation and relief
The Babylonian siege tactic was to blockade the capital and take out the fortified cities around it, one by one. There were only two of those left, Azekah and Lachish (Jer 34:7; about 27 and 55km south-west of Jerusalem respectively). Among the ruins of Lachish, archaeologists found letters written on broken pottery from lookout posts to the garrison commander in Lachish. Letter IV mentions Azekah: ‘And let (my lord) know that we are watching for the signals of Lachish, according to all the indications which my lord hath given, for we cannot see Azekah.’[1] By the time of this letter, Azekah has likely fallen. Lachish Letter III mentions that the army commander, Coniah son of Elnathan, was sent to Egypt (likely to ask for help against Babylon).[2] Indeed, Jeremiah 37:11 mentions a brief lifting of the siege when the Babylonians went to meet Pharaoh’s army (implied in Jer 34:22). With this background in mind, we can reflect on the people’s motivation further.
Motivation for change
Given the people’s short-lived commitment, they probably agreed to the release of debt-slaves because they hoped to pacify God and avoid a terrible end. However, when the situation eased with the lifting of the siege they reneged on their promise. God’s punishment will fit their crime. In an ironic reversal, they who failed to release their brothers and sisters from slavery will be released into disaster (Jer 34:17, 20-22).[3] The changes they made were only skin-deep because it was motivated by the fear of consequences. Of course, desperate situations can bring about true repentance but only if we genuinely recognise how wrong our actions are. When we seek change in our lives, what motivates us? Would we still want to stop sinning even if God did not take away the consequences? Consider, for instance, the Ninevites who understood that the punishment was deserved, and God was not obligated to remove it even if they wished He might (Jonah 3:9). Likewise, the prodigal son returned to the father even though he did not expect to be restored to his former status (Luke 15:17-19). Ultimately true change is not simply the result of a negative (the rejection of sin as wrong) but a positive (a desire for God). We who have been redeemed from the bondage of sin and called into fellowship with God know the Lord’s love. Jesus changed places with us and died on the cross that we might be released. May His love ignite our love and lead to true change.
[1] James B. Pritchard, ed., Ancient Near Eastern Texts Relating to the Old Testament, 3rd ed. (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1969), 322.
[2] Ibid.
[3] At the beginning of the chapter Zedekiah is promised a peaceful end in captivity where his death is to be mourned according to proper custom (Jer 34:4-5; cf. 2 Chron 16:14 describes King Asa’s funeral, which included spices placed on the bier and a great fire made). By the end of the chapter, the language is much harsher describing death and devastation and the desecration of bodies without burial as well as the Babylonians seeking the king and his officials’ life (Jer 34:20-22). Although the exile could not be avoided in either case, there may have been a possibility for mitigating the judgment had Zedekiah sought God in genuine repentance.
If you enjoyed this post, please share it with others.