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주석[매튜 헨리] — 예레미야 38장 · 구덩이에서 건짐

요약
매튜 헨리 주석 · 섹션 3개 · 한국어 번역 있음(한국어 우선) · 본문 보기
아래 주석은 원문(및 번역문) 그대로입니다.

1~13절 카드 ↗

Jeremiah Put into the Dungeon; Ebed-melech's Care of Jeremiah. . 1 Then Shephatiah the son of Mattan, and Gedaliah the son of Pashur, and Jucal the son of Shelemiah, and Pashur the son of Malchiah, heard the words that Jeremiah had spoken unto all the people, saying, 2 Thus saith the LORD , He that remaineth in this city shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence: but he that goeth forth to the Chaldeans shall live; for he shall have his life for a prey, and shall live. 3 Thus saith the LORD , This city shall surely be given into the hand of the king of Babylon's army, which shall take it. 4 Therefore the princes said unto the king, We beseech thee, let this man be put to death: for thus he weakeneth the hands of the men of war that remain in this city, and the hands of all the people, in speaking such words unto them: for this man seeketh not the welfare of this people, but the hurt. 5 Then Zedekiah the king said, Behold, he is in your hand: for the king is not he that can do any thing against you. 6 Then took they Jeremiah, and cast him into the dungeon of Malchiah the son of Hammelech, that was in the court of the prison: and they let down Jeremiah with cords. And in the dungeon there was no water, but mire: so Jeremiah sunk in the mire. 7 Now when Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, one of the eunuchs which was in the king's house, heard that they had put Jeremiah in the dungeon; the king then sitting in the gate of Benjamin; 8 Ebed-melech went forth out of the king's house, and spake to the king, saying, 9 My lord the king, these men have done evil in all that they have done to Jeremiah the prophet, whom they have cast into the dungeon; and he is like to die for hunger in the place where he is: for there is no more bread in the city. 10 Then the king commanded Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, saying, Take from hence thirty men with thee, and take up Jeremiah the prophet out of the dungeon, before he die. 11 So Ebed-melech took the men with him, and went into the house of the king under the treasury, and took thence old cast clouts and old rotten rags, and let them down by cords into the dungeon to Jeremiah. 12 And Ebed-melech the Ethiopian said unto Jeremiah, Put now these old cast clouts and rotten rags under thine armholes under the cords. And Jeremiah did so. 13 So they drew up Jeremiah with cords, and took him up out of the dungeon: and Jeremiah remained in the court of the prison. Here, 1. Jeremiah persists in his plain preaching; what he had many a time said, he still says ( Jeremiah 38:3 ; Jeremiah 38:3 ): This city shall be given into the hand of the king of Babylon; though it hold out long, it will taken at last. Nor would he have so often repeated this unwelcome message but that he could put them in a certain way, though not to save the city, yet to save themselves; so that every man might have his own life given him for a prey if he would be advised, Jeremiah 38:2 ; Jeremiah 38:2 . Let him not stay in the city, in hopes to defend that, for it will be to no purpose, but let him go forth to the Chaldeans, and throw himself upon their mercy, before things come to extremity, and then he shall live; they will not put him to the sword, but give him quarter ( satis est prostrasse leoni--it suffices the lion to lay his antagonist prostrate ) and he shall escape the famine and pestilence, which will be the death of multitudes within the city. Note, Those do better for themselves who patiently submit to the rebukes of Providence than those who contend with them. And, if we cannot have our liberty, we must reckon it a mercy to have our lives, and not foolishly throw them away upon a point of honour; they may be reserved for better times. 2. The princes persist in their malice against Jeremiah. He was faithful to his country and to his trust as a prophet, though he had suffered many a time for his faithfulness; and, though at this time he ate the king's bread, yet that did not stop his mouth. But his persecutors were still bitter against him, and complained that he abused the liberty he had of walking in the court of the prison; for, though he could not go to the temple to preach, yet he vented the same things in private conversation to those that came to visit him, and therefore ( Jeremiah 38:4 ; Jeremiah 38:4 ) they represented him to the king as a dangerous man, disaffected to his country and to the government he lived under: He seeks not the welfare of this people, but the hurt --an unjust insinuation, for no man had laid out himself more for the good of Jerusalem than he had done. They represent his preaching as having a bad tendency. The design of it was plainly to bring men to repent and turn to God, which would have been as much as any thing a strengthening to the hands both the soldiery and of the burghers, and yet they represented it as weakening their hands and discouraging them; and, if it did this, it was their own fault. Note, It is common for wicked people to look upon God's faithful ministers as their enemies, only because they show them what enemies they are to themselves while they continue impenitent. 3. Jeremiah hereupon, by the king's permission, is put into a dungeon, with a view to his destruction there. Zedekiah, though he felt a conviction that Jeremiah was a prophet, sent of God, had not courage to own it, but yielded to the violence of his persecutors ( Jeremiah 38:5 ; Jeremiah 38:5 ): He is in your hand; and a worse sentence he could not have passed upon him. We found in Jehoiakim's reign that the princes were better affected to the prophet than the king was ( Jeremiah 36:25 ; Jeremiah 36:25 ); but now they were more violent against him, a sign that they were ripening apace for ruin. Had it been in a cause that concerned his own honour or profit, he would have let them know that the king is he who can do what he pleases, whether they will or no; but in the cause of God and his prophet, which he was very cool in, he basely sneaks, and truckles to them: The king is not he that can do any thing against you. Note, Those will have a great deal to answer for who, though they have a secret kindness for good people, dare not own it in a time of need, nor will do what they might do to prevent mischief designed them. The princes, having this general warrant from the king, immediately put poor Jeremiah into the dungeon of Malchiah, that was in the court of the prison ( Jeremiah 38:6 ; Jeremiah 38:6 ), a deep dungeon, for they let him down into it with cords, and a dirty one, for there was no water in it, but mire; and he sunk in the mire, up to the neck, says Josephus. Those that put him here doubtless designed that he should die here, die for hunger, die for cold, and so die miserably, die obscurely, fearing, if they should put him to death openly, the people might be affected with what he would say and be incensed against them. Many of God's faithful witnesses have thus been privately made away, and starved to death, in prisons, whose blood will be brought to account in the day of discovery. We are not here told what Jeremiah did in this distress, but he tells us himself ( Lamentations 3:55 ; Lamentations 3:57 ), I called upon thy name, O Lord! out of the low dungeon, and thou drewest near, saying, Fear not. 4. Application is made to the king by an honest courtier, Ebed-melech, one of the gentlemen of the bed-chamber, in behalf of the poor sufferer. Though the princes carried on the matter as privately as they could, yet it came to the ear of this good man, who probably sought opportunities to do good. It may be he came to the knowledge of it by hearing Jeremiah's moans out of the dungeon, for it was in the king's house, Jeremiah 38:7 ; Jeremiah 38:7 . Ebed-melech was an Ethiopian, a stranger to the commonwealth of Israel, and yet had in him more humanity, and more divinity too, than native Israelites had. Christ found more faith among Gentiles than among Jews. Ebed-melech lived in a wicked court and in a very corrupt degenerate age, and yet had a great sense both of equity and piety. God has his remnant in all places, among all sorts. There were saints even in Cæsar's household. The king was now sitting in the gate of Benjamin, to try causes and receive appeals and petitions, or perhaps holding a council of war there. Thither Ebed-melech went immediately to him, for the case would not admit delay; the prophet might have perished if he had trifled or put it off till he had an opportunity of speaking to the king in private. Not time must be lost when life is in danger, especially so valuable a life. He boldly asserts the Jeremiah had a great deal of wrong done him, and is not afraid to tell the king so, though they were princes that did it, though they were now present in court, and though they had the king's warrant for what they did. Whither should oppressed innocency flee for protection but to the throne, especially when great men are its oppressors? Ebed-melech appears truly brave in this matter. He does not mince the matter; though he had a place at court, which he would be in danger of losing for his plain dealing, yet he tells the king faithfully, let him take it as he will, These men have done ill in all that they have done to Jeremiah. They had dealt unjustly with him, for he had not deserved any punishment at all; and they had dealt barbarously with him, so as they used not to deal with the vilest malefactors. And they needed not to have put him to this miserable death; for, if they had let him alone where he was, he was likely to die for hunger in the place where he was, in the court of the prison to which he was confined, for there was not more bread in the city: the stores out of which he was to have his allowance ( Jeremiah 37:21 ; Jeremiah 37:21 ) were in a manner spent. See how God can raise up friends for his people in distress where they little thought of them, and animate men for his service even beyond expectation. 5. Orders are immediately given for his release, and Ebed-melech takes care to see them executed. The king, who but now durst do nothing against the princes, had his heart wonderfully changed on a sudden, and will now have Jeremiah released in defiance of the princes, for therefore he orders no less than thirty men, and those of the lifeguard, to be employed in fetching him out of the dungeon, lest the princes should raise a party to oppose it, Jeremiah 38:10 ; Jeremiah 38:10 . Let this encourage us to appear boldly for God--we may succeed better that we could have thought, for the hearts of kings are in the hand of God. Ebed-melech gained his point, and soon brought Jeremiah the good news; and it is observable how particularly the manner of his drawing him out of the dungeon is related (for God is not unrighteous to forget any work or labour of love which is shown to his people or ministers, no, nor any circumstance of it, Hebrews 6:10 ); special notice is taken of his great tenderness in providing old soft rags for Jeremiah to put under his arm-holes, to keep the cords wherewith he was to be drawn up from hurting him, his arm-holes being probably galled by the cords wherewith he was let down. Nor did he throw the rags down to him, lest they should be lost in the mire, but carefully let them down, Jeremiah 38:11 ; Jeremiah 38:12 . Note, Those that are in distress should not only be relieved, but relieved with compassion and marks of respect, all which shall be placed to account and abound to a good account in the day of recompence. See what a good use even old rotten rags may be put to, which therefore should not be made waste of, any more than broken meat: even in the king's house, and under the treasury too, these were carefully preserved for the use of the poor or sick. Jeremiah is brought up out of the dungeon, and is now where he was, in the court of the prison, Jeremiah 38:13 ; Jeremiah 38:13 . Perhaps Ebed-melech could have made interest with the king to get him his discharge thence also, now that he had the king's ear; but he though him safer and better provided for there than he would be any where else. God can, when he pleases, make a prison to become a refuge and hiding-place to his people in distress and danger. return to ' Top of Page ' <a name="verses-14-28" class="com-number"

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bible-text/jer-38-1, bible-text/jer-38-2, bible-text/jer-38-3, bible-text/jer-38-4, bible-text/jer-38-5, bible-text/jer-38-6, bible-text/jer-38-7, bible-text/jer-38-8, bible-text/jer-38-9, bible-text/jer-38-10, bible-text/jer-38-11, bible-text/jer-38-12, bible-text/jer-38-13

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**예레미야가 구덩이에 갇히다 — 에벳멜렉의 도움**

**첫째, 예레미야는 담대한 설교를 멈추지 않는다.** 그는 이미 여러 차례 말했던 내용을 이 자리에서도 거듭 선포한다(3절). "이 성읍은 반드시 바벨론 왕의 군대 손에 넘겨질 것이다. 오래 버텨도 결국 함락된다." 그렇다고 이 반갑지 않은 메시지를 이토록 되풀이한 것이 고집 때문만은 아니었다. 그는 성읍을 구하지는 못하더라도 사람 하나하나를 구할 수 있는 확실한 길을 안내할 수 있었기 때문이다. 2절의 내용이 그것이다. "이 성읍에 남아 있는 자는 칼과 기근과 전염병으로 죽을 것이지만, 갈대아인들에게 항복하는 자는 살 것이다. 목숨을 전리품으로 얻을 것이다." 극한 상황이 되기 전에 성읍을 빠져나가 갈대아인들에게 몸을 맡기라는 것이다. 그러면 칼에 죽지도, 성읍 안에서 수없이 쓰러지는 기근과 전염병에 죽지도 않을 것이었다.

[참고] 하나님의 징계에 잠잠히 순복하는 사람이 그것에 맞서는 사람보다 결국 더 잘된다. 자유를 누릴 수 없다면 목숨이라도 보전하는 것이 은혜인 줄 알아야 하며, 어리석은 명예심으로 그마저 내던져서는 안 된다. 더 나은 때를 위해 목숨은 아껴두어야 한다.

**둘째, 방백들은 예레미야에 대한 적개심을 포기하지 않는다.** 예레미야는 나라와 선지자로서의 직무에 충실했다. 감옥의 뜰에서 자유롭게 걸어 다닐 수 있게 된 뒤로, 성전에 나가 설교는 못 하더라도, 자신을 찾아오는 이들과 사적인 대화를 통해 같은 메시지를 전하고 있었다. 그래서 방백들은 다시 그를 왕에게 고발한다(4절). "이 사람을 죽여야 합니다. 그가 이 성읍에 남은 병사들과 온 백성의 손을 약하게 하여 전쟁 의지를 꺾고 있습니다. 그는 이 백성의 유익이 아닌 해를 구하는 자입니다." 이것은 터무니없는 중상이었다. 예루살렘을 위해 예레미야만큼 힘을 쏟은 사람이 없었기 때문이다. 그들은 예레미야의 설교가 나쁜 결과를 낳는다고 주장했다. 하지만 설교의 목적은 분명히 사람들이 회개하고 하나님께 돌아오도록 촉구하는 것이었으며, 그것이야말로 병사들과 주민들 모두의 사기를 실질적으로 북돋는 길이었다. 만약 설교가 그들의 손을 약하게 했다면, 그것은 설교 자체의 문제가 아니라 그들 자신의 잘못이었다.

[참고] 악한 사람들이 하나님의 신실한 종들을 원수로 여기는 것은 드문 일이 아니다. 바로 그 종들이 그들 자신이 자기 자신의 원수임을 드러내 보여주기 때문이다.

**셋째, 예레미야는 왕의 허가 아래 방백들에 의해 구덩이에 던져지고, 그곳에서 죽어갈 처지가 된다.** 시드기야는 예레미야가 하나님이 보내신 선지자라는 확신이 마음 깊은 곳에 있었지만, 방백들 앞에서 그것을 감히 드러내지 못했다. 도리어 그들의 폭력 앞에 굴복한다(5절). "그는 당신들 손 안에 있소. 왕이라도 당신들의 뜻에 맞설 수 없소." 그보다 나쁜 판결이 없었다. 여호야김 시대에는 방백들이 예레미야에게 오히려 우호적이었던 반면(렘 36:25), 지금 방백들은 그를 향해 더욱 거칠게 달려들었다. 이는 그들이 멸망으로 빠르게 치닫고 있다는 징표였다. 왕이 자신의 명예나 이익과 관련된 일이었다면 "왕이 못 할 것이 없다"고 단호히 말했을 것이다. 하지만 하나님과 그분의 선지자의 일에 있어서는 비굴하게 물러서며 방백들에게 굴복한다.

[참고] 어려운 순간 선한 사람들을 향한 은밀한 호감을 가지면서도 그것을 공개적으로 인정하지 못하고, 마땅히 할 수 있는 선을 행하지 않는 사람들은 결국 무거운 책임을 지게 된다.

방백들은 왕의 포괄적인 허가를 받아 즉시 예레미야를 왕자 말기야의 구덩이에 던진다. 그 구덩이는 시위대 뜰 안에 있었다(6절). 깊은 구덩이였기에 그들은 밧줄로 예레미야를 내려보냈고, 구덩이 안에는 물은 없고 진흙뿐이었다. 요세푸스에 따르면 예레미야는 목까지 진흙에 잠겼다고 한다. 방백들은 분명히 예레미야가 거기서 죽기를, 굶어 죽고 얼어 죽어 비참하게 아무도 모르게 사라지기를 바랐다. 공개 처형을 하면 백성들이 격분할까 두려웠기 때문이다. 하나님의 신실한 증인들이 이처럼 은밀하게 감옥에서 굶겨 죽임을 당한 일이 여럿이며, 그 피의 값은 심판의 날에 반드시 물어지게 될 것이다. 예레미야가 이 위기 속에서 무엇을 했는지 이 본문에는 기록이 없지만, 그 자신이 우리에게 전해준다. 애가 3:55-57에서 그는 이렇게 말한다. "여호와여, 내가 깊은 구덩이에서 주의 이름을 불렀습니다. 주께서 가까이 오시며 '두려워하지 말라' 하셨습니다."

**넷째, 한 정직한 신하가 왕에게 청원하고, 에벳멜렉은 직접 구조를 챙긴다.** 방백들이 이 일을 최대한 비밀리에 처리하려 했지만, 이 소식은 선을 행할 기회를 늘 찾아다니던 선한 사람 에벳멜렉의 귀에 들어간다. 어쩌면 그는 에벳멜렉이 왕궁에 있었고 구덩이가 왕궁 안에 있었으므로, 예레미야의 신음 소리를 직접 들었을지도 모른다(7절). 에벳멜렉은 에티오피아 사람, 곧 이스라엘 공동체에 속하지 않은 이방인이었다. 그런데도 이스라엘 원주민들보다 더 많은 인간적 품위와 경건함을 지녔다. 그리스도께서도 유대인들 중에서보다 이방인들 사이에서 더 큰 믿음을 발견하셨다. 에벳멜렉은 부패하고 타락한 궁중에서, 극도로 악한 시대에 살면서도 공의와 경건에 대한 깊은 감각을 잃지 않았다. 하나님은 어디에나, 어떤 부류 사람들 사이에도 자신의 남은 자들을 두신다. 가이사의 집에도 성도들이 있었다.

왕은 마침 베냐민 문에서 재판을 열고 탄원을 받으며, 아마도 군사 회의를 주재하고 있었다. 에벳멜렉은 지체 없이 왕 앞으로 나아갔다. 선지자가 죽어가고 있었으니, 왕과의 단독 면담 기회를 기다리다가는 너무 늦을 수 있었다. 귀한 생명이 위태로울 때는 한순간도 낭비해서는 안 된다. 그는 예레미야가 큰 불의를 당하고 있다고 담대하게 왕에게 고하며, 그 일을 저지른 자들이 방백들임에도, 왕이 지켜보는 앞에서도 전혀 주눅 들지 않는다. 억압당한 무고한 자가 강한 자들에게 짓밟힐 때, 그보호를 구할 곳은 왕좌 말고 어디이겠는가? 에벳멜렉은 진정한 용기를 보였다. 그는 말을 돌려 말하지 않는다. 벼슬 자리를 잃을 위험을 무릅쓰고, 왕에게 솔직하게 고한다. "이 사람들이 예레미야 선지자에게 한 모든 일은 악한 짓입니다." 그들은 그에게 아무 형벌도 받을 일을 하지 않은 사람에게 불의를 행했을 뿐 아니라, 가장 흉악한 범죄자에게도 그렇게 하지 않을 방식으로 잔인하게 대했다. 더욱이 그를 저렇게 비참한 죽음으로 몰아갈 필요조차 없었다. 그가 있던 시위대 뜰에 그냥 두었더라도, 빵이 성읍에 다 떨어지고 있었으므로(렘 37:21) 어차피 굶어 죽을 판이었다. 하나님이 고난받는 자신의 백성을 위해 생각지 못했던 곳에서 친구를 어떻게 일으키시는지, 기대 이상으로 사람들을 일으켜 그분의 일을 하게 하시는지를 보라.

**다섯째, 구조 명령이 즉시 내려지고, 에벳멜렉은 직접 그 일을 수행한다.** 조금 전만 해도 방백들의 뜻에 아무것도 맞설 수 없다고 했던 왕이 갑자기 마음이 바뀌어, 방백들에게 맞서면서 예레미야를 구하라고 명령한다. 왕은 방백들이 방해할 경우를 대비해, 왕의 경호대에서 무려 서른 명을 동원해 구덩이에서 예레미야를 꺼내라고 지시한다(10절). 하나님을 위해 담대하게 나설 때 우리가 기대하는 것 이상의 성과를 거둘 수도 있다고 생각하면 용기가 솟는다. 왕들의 마음도 하나님의 손 안에 있기 때문이다. 에벳멜렉은 뜻을 이루었고 곧 예레미야에게 기쁜 소식을 전한다. 그가 구덩이에서 예레미야를 꺼내는 방식이 세세하게 기록되어 있다는 사실이 주목할 만하다. 하나님은 자기 백성과 종들을 향해 베풀어진 어떤 수고와 사랑도, 그 어떤 사소한 정황도 잊지 않으시는 분이기 때문이다(히 6:10). 에벳멜렉이 낡은 헝겊 조각들을 구해 예레미야의 겨드랑이에 받쳐 밧줄로 인한 상처를 막아준 세심한 배려가 특별히 기록되어 있다. 내려보낼 때 사용한 밧줄에 겨드랑이가 이미 쓸려 있었을 것이다. 그는 진흙 속에서 헝겊이 묻혀버릴까 봐 그냥 던져 주지 않고, 조심스럽게 줄로 내려주었다(11-12절).

[참고] 고통받는 이를 도울 때는 그저 돕는 것만이 아니라, 따뜻한 마음과 존중을 담아 도와야 한다. 그 모든 것이 셈해지고 다가올 상급의 날에 좋은 결과로 돌아온다. 또한 낡고 닳은 헝겊 조각도 이처럼 요긴하게 쓰일 수 있으니, 쓸 수 있는 것을 함부로 버려서는 안 된다. 왕궁에서도, 곳간 창고 밑에서도 이런 것들이 가난한 자나 병든 자를 위해 소중히 보관되고 있었다.

예레미야는 구덩이에서 건져져 이전과 같이 시위대 뜰로 돌아온다(13절). 에벳멜렉이 왕의 신임을 얻고 있던 그 기회에 아예 석방을 청했더라면 그것도 가능했을지 모른다. 그러나 그는 예레미야가 다른 어느 곳보다 그 감옥이 더 안전하고 더 잘 보호받을 수 있다고 판단했을 것이다. 하나님은 뜻하실 때 감옥을 자기 백성에게 피난처와 은신처로 삼으실 수 있다.

원주석

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J E R E M I A H. CHAP. XXXVIII. In this chapter, just as in the former, we have Jeremiah greatly debased under the frowns of the princes, and yet greatly honoured by the favour of the king. They used him as a criminal; he used him as a privy-counsellor. Here, I. Jeremiah for his faithfulness is put into the dungeon by the princes, Jeremiah 38:1-6 . II. At the intercession of Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, by special order from the king, he is taken up out of the dungeon and confined only to the court of the prison, Jeremiah 38:7-13 . III. He has a private conference with the king upon the present conjuncture of affairs, Jeremiah 38:14-22 . IV. Care is taken to keep that conference private, Jeremiah 38:24-28 . return to ' Top of Page ' <a name="verses-1-13" class="com-number"

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예레미야 38장은 앞 장과 마찬가지로, 방백들의 냉대 속에서 예레미야가 철저히 짓밟히면서도 왕의 호의로 높임을 받는 두 가지 상황이 교차하는 장이다. 방백들은 그를 죄수처럼 다루었고, 왕은 그를 은밀한 조언자처럼 대했다.

이 장의 네 가지 주요 흐름은 다음과 같다. 첫째, 예레미야는 신실함 때문에 방백들에 의해 구덩이에 던져진다(1-6절). 둘째, 에티오피아 사람 에벳멜렉이 왕에게 간청하여, 왕의 특명으로 예레미야가 구덩이에서 건져져 시위대 뜰에만 갇히게 된다(7-13절). 셋째, 예레미야는 당면한 정세에 관해 왕과 밀담을 나눈다(14-22절). 넷째, 그 밀담이 외부에 누설되지 않도록 조치가 취해진다(24-28절).

원주석

14~28절 카드 ↗

Zedekiah's Conference with Jeremiah. . 14 Then Zedekiah the king sent, and took Jeremiah the prophet unto him into the third entry that is in the house of the LORD : and the king said unto Jeremiah, I will ask thee a thing; hide nothing from me. 15 Then Jeremiah said unto Zedekiah, If I declare it unto thee, wilt thou not surely put me to death? and if I give thee counsel, wilt thou not hearken unto me? 16 So Zedekiah the king sware secretly unto Jeremiah, saying, As the LORD liveth, that made us this soul, I will not put thee to death, neither will I give thee into the hand of these men that seek thy life. 17 Then said Jeremiah unto Zedekiah, Thus saith the LORD , the God of hosts, the God of Israel; If thou wilt assuredly go forth unto the king of Babylon's princes, then thy soul shall live, and this city shall not be burned with fire; and thou shalt live, and thine house: 18 But if thou wilt not go forth to the king of Babylon's princes, then shall this city be given into the hand of the Chaldeans, and they shall burn it with fire, and thou shalt not escape out of their hand. 19 And Zedekiah the king said unto Jeremiah, I am afraid of the Jews that are fallen to the Chaldeans, lest they deliver me into their hand, and they mock me. 20 But Jeremiah said, They shall not deliver thee. Obey, I beseech thee, the voice of the LORD , which I speak unto thee: so it shall be well unto thee, and thy soul shall live. 21 But if thou refuse to go forth, this is the word that the LORD hath shewed me: 22 And, behold, all the women that are left in the king of Judah's house shall be brought forth to the king of Babylon's princes, and those women shall say, Thy friends have set thee on, and have prevailed against thee: thy feet are sunk in the mire, and they are turned away back. 23 So they shall bring out all thy wives and thy children to the Chaldeans: and thou shalt not escape out of their hand, but shalt be taken by the hand of the king of Babylon: and thou shalt cause this city to be burned with fire. 24 Then said Zedekiah unto Jeremiah, Let no man know of these words, and thou shalt not die. 25 But if the princes hear that I have talked with thee, and they come unto thee, and say unto thee, Declare unto us now what thou hast said unto the king, hide it not from us, and we will not put thee to death; also what the king said unto thee: 26 Then thou shalt say unto them, I presented my supplication before the king, that he would not cause me to return to Jonathan's house, to die there. 27 Then came all the princes unto Jeremiah, and asked him: and he told them according to all these words that the king had commanded. So they left off speaking with him; for the matter was not perceived. 28 So Jeremiah abode in the court of the prison until the day that Jerusalem was taken: and he was there when Jerusalem was taken. In the foregoing chapter we had the king in close conference with Jeremiah, and here again, though ( Jeremiah 38:5 ; Jeremiah 38:5 ) he had given him up into the hands of his enemies; such a struggle there was in the breast of this unhappy prince between his convictions and his corruptions. Observe, I. The honour that Zedekiah did to the prophet. When he was newly fetched out of the dungeon he sent for him to advise with him privately. He met him in the third entry, or (as the margin reads it) the principal entry, that is in, or leads towards, or adjoins to, the house of the Lord, Jeremiah 38:14 ; Jeremiah 38:14 . In appointing this place of interview with the prophet perhaps he intended to show a respect and reverence for the house of God, which was proper enough now that he was desiring to hear the word of God. Zedekiah would ask Jeremiah a thing; it should rather be rendered, a word. "I am here asking thee for a word of prediction, of counsel, of comfort, a word from the Lord, Jeremiah 37:17 ; Jeremiah 37:17 . Whatever word thou has for me hide it not from me; let me know the worst." He had been told plainly what things would come to in the foregoing chapter, but, like Balaam, he asks again, in hopes to get a more pleasing answer, as if God, who is in one mind, were altogether such a one as himself, who was in many minds. II. The bargain that Jeremiah made with him before he would give him his advice, Jeremiah 38:15 ; Jeremiah 38:15 . He would stipulate, 1. For his own safety. Zedekiah would have him deal faithfully with him: "And if I do," says Jeremiah, " wilt thou not put me to death? I am afraid thou wilt " (so some take it); "what else can I expect when thou art led blindfold by the princes?" Not that Jeremiah was backward to seal the doctrine he preached with his blood, when he was called to do so; but, in doing our duty, we ought to use all lawful means for our own preservation; even the apostles of Christ did so. 2. He would answer for the success of his advice, being no less concerned for Zedekiah's welfare than for his own. He is willing to give him wholesome advice, and does not upbraid him with his unkindness in suffering him to be put into the dungeon, nor bid him go and consult with his princes, whose judgments he had such a value for. Ministers must with meekness instruct even those that oppose themselves, and render good for evil. He is desirous that he should hear counsel and receive instruction: "Wilt thou not hearken unto me? Surely thou wilt; I am in hopes to find thee pliable at last, and now in this thy day willing to know the things that belong to thy peace. " Note, Then, and then only, there is hope of sinners, when they are willing to hearken to good counsel. Some read it as spoken despairingly: " If I give thee counsel, thou wilt not hearken unto me; I have reason to fear thou wilt not, and then I might as well keep my counsel to myself." Note, Ministers have little heart to speak to those who have long and often turned a deaf ear to them. Now, as to this latter concern of Jeremiah's, Zedekiah makes him no answer, will not promise to hearken to his advice: though he desires to know what is the mind of God, yet he will reserve himself a liberty, when he does know it, to do as he things fit; as if it were the prerogative of a prince not to have his ruin prevented by good counsel. But, as to the prophet's safety, he promises him, upon the word of a king, and confirms his promise with an oath, that, whatever he should say to him, no advantage should be taken against him for it: I will neither put thee to death nor deliver thee into the hands of those that will, Jeremiah 38:16 ; Jeremiah 38:16 . This, he thought, was a mighty favour, and yet Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar, when Daniel read their doom, not only protected him, but preferred and rewarded him, Daniel 2:48 ; Jeremiah 38:29 . Zedekiah's oath on this occasion is solemn, and very observable: " As the Lord liveth, who made us this soul, who gave me my life and thee thine, I dare not take away thy life unjustly, knowing that then I should forfeit my own to him that is the Lord of life." Note, God is the Father of spirits; souls are his workmanship, and they are more fearfully and wonderfully made than bodies are. The soul both of the greatest prince and of the poorest prisoner is of God's making. He fashioneth their hearts alike easily. In all our appeals to God, and in all our dealings both with ourselves and others, we ought to consider this, that the living God made us these souls. III. The good advice that Jeremiah gave him, with good reasons why he should take it, not from any prudence or politics of his own, but in the name of the Lord, the God of hosts and God of Israel. Not as a statesman, but as a prophet, he advises him by all means to surrender himself and his city to the king of Babylon's princes: "Go forth to them, and make the best terms thou canst with them," Jeremiah 38:17 ; Jeremiah 38:17 . This was the advice he had given to the people ( Jeremiah 38:2 ; Jeremiah 38:2 , and before, Jeremiah 21:9 ; Jeremiah 21:9 ), to submit to divine judgments, and not think of contending with them. Note, In dealing with God, that which is good counsel to the meanest is so to the greatest, for there is no respect of persons with him. To persuade him to take this counsel, he sets before him good and evil, life and death. 1. If he will tamely yield, he shall save his children from the sword and Jerusalem from the flames. The white flag is yet hung out; if he will be acknowledge God's justice, he shall experience his mercy: The city shall not be burnt, and thou shalt live and thy house. But, 2. If he will obstinately stand it out, it will be the ruin both of his house and Jerusalem ( Jeremiah 38:18 ; Jeremiah 38:18 ); for when God judges he will overcome. This is the case of sinners with God; let them humbly submit to his grace and government and they shall live; let them take hold on his strength, that they may make peace, and they shall make peace; but, if they harden their hearts against his proposals, it will certainly be to their destruction: they must either bend or break. IV. The objection which Zedekiah made against the prophet's advice, Jeremiah 38:19 ; Jeremiah 38:19 . Jeremiah spoke to him by prophecy, in the name of God, and therefore if he had had a due regard to the divine authority, wisdom, and goodness, as soon as he understood what the mind of God was he would immediately have acquiesced in it and resolved to observe it, without disputing; but, as if it had been the dictate only of Jeremiah's prudence, he advances against it some prudential considerations of his own: but human wisdom is folly when it contradicts the divine counsel. All he suggests is, " I am afraid, not of the Chaldeans; their princes are men of honour, but of the Jews, that have already gone over to the Chaldeans; when they see me follow them, and who had so much opposed their going, they will laugh at me, and say, Hast thou also become weak as water? " Isaiah 14:10 . Now, 1. It was not at all likely that he should be thus exposed and ridiculed, that the Chaldeans should so far gratify the Jews, or trample upon him, as to deliver him into their hands; nor that the Jews, who were themselves captives, should be in such a gay humour as to make a jest of the misery of their prince. Note, We often frighten ourselves from our duty by foolish, causeless, groundless, fears, that are merely the creatures of our own fancy and imagination. 2. If he should be taunted at a little by the Jews, could he not despise it and make light of it? What harm would it do him? Note, Those have very weak and fretful spirits indeed that cannot bear to be laughed at for that which is both their duty and their interest. 3. Though it had been really the greatest personal mischief that he could imagine it to be, yet he ought to have ventured it, in obedience to God, and for the preservation of his family and city. He thought it would be looked upon as a piece of cowardice to surrender; whereas it would be really an instance of true courage cheerfully to bear a less evil, the mocking of the Jews, for the avoiding of a greater, the ruin of his family and kingdom. V. The pressing importunity with which Jeremiah followed the advice he had given the king. He assures him that, if he would comply with the will of God herein, the thing he feared should not come upon him ( Jeremiah 38:20 ; Jeremiah 38:20 ): They shall not deliver thee up, but treat thee as becomes thy character. He begs of him, after all the foolish games he had played, to manage wisely the last stake, and now at length to do well for himself: Obey, I beseech thee, the voice of the Lord, because it is his voice, so it shall be well unto thee. But he tells him what would be the consequence if he would not obey. 1. He himself would fall into the hands of the Chaldeans, as implacable enemies, whom he might now make his friends by throwing himself into their hands. If he must fall, he should contrive how to fall easily: " Thou shalt not escape, as thou hopest to do," Jeremiah 38:23 ; Jeremiah 38:23 . 2. He would himself be chargeable with the destruction of Jerusalem, which he pretended a concern for the preservation of: "Thou shalt cause this city to be burnt with fire, for by a little submission and self-denial thou mightest have prevented it." Thus subjects often suffer for the pride and wilfulness of their rulers, who should be their protectors, but prove their destroyers. 3. Whereas he causelessly feared an unjust reproach for surrendering, he should certainly fall under a just reproach for standing it out, and that from women too, Jeremiah 38:22 ; Jeremiah 38:22 . The court ladies who were left when Jehoiakim and Jeconiah were carried away will now at length fall into the hands of the enemy, and they shall say, " The men of thy peace, whom thou didst consult with and confide in, and who promised thee peace if thou wouldst be ruled by them, have set thee on, have encouraged thee to be bold and brace and hold out to the last extremity; and see what comes of it? They, by prevailing upon thee, have prevailed against thee, and thou findest those thy real enemies that would be thought thy only friends. Now thy feet are sunk in the mire, thou art embarrassed, and hast noway to help thyself; thy feet cannot get forward, but are turned away back. " Thus will Zedekiah be bantered by the women, when all his wives and children shall be made a prey to the conquerors, Jeremiah 38:23 ; Jeremiah 38:23 . Note, What we seek to avoid by sin will be justly brought upon us by the righteousness of God. And those that decline the way of duty for fear of reproach will certainly meet with much greater reproach in the way of disobedience. The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him, Proverbs 10:24 . VI. The care which Zedekiah took to keep this conference private ( Jeremiah 38:24 ; Jeremiah 38:24 ): Let no man know of these words. he does not at all incline to take God's counsel, nor so much as promise to consider of it; for so obstinate has he been to the calls of God, and so wilful in the ways of sin, that though he has good counsel given him he seems to be given up to walk in his own counsels. He has nothing to object against Jeremiah's advice, and yet he will not follow it. Many hear God's words, but will not do them. 1. Jeremiah is charged to let no man know of what had passed between the king and him. Zedekiah is concerned to keep it private, not so much for Jeremiah's safety (for he knew the princes could do him no hurt without his permission), but for his own reputation. Note, Many have really a better affection to good men and good things than they are willing to own. God's prophets are manifest in their consciences ( 2 Corinthians 5:11 ), but they care not for manifesting that to the world; they would rather do them a kindness than have it known that they do: such, it is to be feared, love the praise of men more than the praise of God. 2. He is instructed what to say to the princes if they should examine him about it. He must tell them that he was petitioning the king not to remand him back to the house of Jonathan the scribe ( Jeremiah 38:25 ; Jeremiah 38:26 ), and he did tell them so ( Jeremiah 38:27 ; Jeremiah 38:27 ), and no doubt it was true: he would not let slip so fair an opportunity of engaging the king's favour; so that this was no lie or equivocation, but a part of the truth, which it was lawful for him to put them off with when he was under no obligation at all to tell them the whole truth. Note, Though we must be harmless as doves, so as never to tell a wilful lie, yet we must be wise as serpents, so as not needlessly to expose ourselves to danger by telling all we know. return to ' Top of Page ' Jeremiah Jer 37 Jeremiah Jer Jeremiah Jer 39 Footnotes: Copyright Statement These files are public domain and are a derivative of an electronic edition that is available on the Christian Classics Ethereal Library Website. Bibliographical Information Henry, Matthew. "Complete Commentary on Jeremiah 38". 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keys=t.split(',');keys.forEach(function(key){if(key==='com'){_ts_loadCom();}if(key==='bib'){_ts_loadBib();}});} function _ts_loadCom(){var commEl=document.querySelector('.commentary');comsec=commEl?commEl.getAttribute('data-com-sec'):'';comlang=commEl?commEl.getAttribute('data-com-lang'):'';comabbr=commEl?commEl.getAttribute('data-com-abbr'):'';var qs='bk='+encodeURIComponent(cur_com_bn)+'&ch='+encodeURIComponent(cur_com_cn)+'&vs='+encodeURIComponent(cur_com_vs)+'&cs='+encodeURIComponent(comsec)+'&cl='+encodeURIComponent(comlang)+'&ca='+encodeURIComponent(comabbr);fetch('/cgi-bin/bible/getBible_data.cgi?'+qs).then(function(r){return r.text();}).then(function(text){var doc=new DOMParser().parseFromString(text,'text/xml');var sn=_ts_xmlSplit(doc,'sn');var sa=_ts_xmlSplit(doc,'sa');var sf=_ts_xmlSplit(doc,'sf');for(var i=0;i u?o(n,r,t,e,u+1):0:0==i?1:-1}(o,n,r,t,0)})} var TS_PARENT_MODE={commentary:'section',translation:'language',chapter:'book',verse:'chapter'}; function _ts_isPerVerseUrl(path){var slash=path.lastIndexOf('/');if(slash =stem.length-1){return false;}return _ts_isAllDigits(stem.substring(0,dash))&&_ts_isAllDigits(stem.substring(dash+1));} function _ts_isAllDigits(s){if(!s||!s.length){return false;}for(var i=0;i 57){return false;}}return true;} function _ts_buildOverlay(){document.documentElement.style.overflowY='hidden';document.body.style.overflowY='hidden';updateSizes('470','650');var overlay=_ts_el('div',{cls:'overlayMaster',style:{top:curTop+'px',left:curLeft+'px',width:'100%',height:'100%'}});document.body.appendChild(overlay);var popup=_ts_el('div',{cls:'popupDiv noselect',style:{left:popLeft+'px',top:popTop+'px',width:popWidth+'px',height:popHeight+'px'}});overlay.appendChild(popup);} function _ts_buildHeader(mode){var parent=TS_PARENT_MODE[mode];var popup=document.querySelector('.popupDiv');var titleBar=_ts_el('div',{cls:'popupDiv-title'});popup.appendChild(titleBar);var prevBtn=_ts_el('span',{cls:'popupDiv-title-prev clickable',html:'❮',click:function(){if(parent){translationSelector_menu(parent);}}});titleBar.appendChild(prevBtn);if(!parent){prevBtn.style.visibility='hidden';}titleBar.appendChild(_ts_el('span',{html:mode.charAt(0).toUpperCase()+mode.slice(1)+' Selector'}));titleBar.appendChild(_ts_el('span',{cls:'popupDiv-title-closer clickable',html:'✖',click:function(){_ts_removeOverlay();translationSelector_menu('close');}}));} function _ts_removeOverlay(){var ov=document.querySelector('.overlayMaster');if(ov&&ov.parentNode){ov.parentNode.removeChild(ov);}} function _ts_buildChoices(mode){var items,count,start=0;if(mode==='section'){items=sections;count=items.length;}else if(mode==='commentary'){items=sortByColumn(commentaries.filter(function(c){return c.sec===comsec;}),['pop'],['ASC']);count=items.length;}else if(mode==='language'){items=languages;count=items.length;}else if(mode==='book'||mode==='chapter'){items=book_data.filter(function(b){return translation_scope==='1'?b.num 38:b.num 0);}else{takesVerse=(parseInt(verse,10)>0);}if(takesVerse){translationSelector_menu('verse');}else{_ts_sendThemBack('reference-noverse');}}});}if(mode==='verse'){return _ts_el('div',{cls:'popupDiv-item clickable selector-chapter',data:{number:o},html:o,click:function(){_ts_removeOverlay();verse=parseInt(this.getAttribute('data-number'),10);_ts_sendThemBack('reference-verse');}});}if(mode==='language'){return _ts_el('div',{cls:'popupDiv-item clickable selector-languages',data:{'trans-lang':items[o].abbr},html:items[o].name,click:function(){_ts_removeOverlay();translang=this.getAttribute('data-trans-lang');translationSelector_menu('translation');}});}if(mode==='translation'){return _ts_el('div',{cls:'popupDiv-item clickable selector-translation',data:{'trans-abbr':items[o].trans},html:items[o].name,click:function(){_ts_removeOverlay();transabbr=this.getAttribute('data-trans-abbr');_ts_sendThemBack('translation');}});}} function _ts_sendThemBack(reason){var origPath=window.location.pathname;var parts=origPath.split('/');var noVerse=(reason==='reference-noverse');var inputIsPerVerse=_ts_isPerVerseUrl(origPath);if(parts[1]==='interlinear-study-bible'){parts=parts.slice(0,5);parts[3]=book_data[book].url;parts[4]=noVerse?(chapter+'.html'):(chapter+'-'+verse+'.html');}else if(parts[1]==='commentary'){parts=parts.slice(0,4);parts[2]=book_data[book].url;parts[3]=noVerse?(chapter+'.html'):(chapter+'-'+verse+'.html');}else if(parts[1]==='commentaries'){parts[2]=comlang;parts[3]=comabbr;if(inputIsPerVerse){parts=parts.slice(0,6);parts[4]=book_data[book].url;parts[5]=noVerse?(chapter+'.html'):(chapter+'-'+verse+'.html');}else{parts=parts.slice(0,5);parts[4]=book_data[book].url+'-'+chapter+'.html';}}else if(parts[1]==='bible'){parts=parts.slice(0,6);parts[2]=translang;parts[3]=transabbr;parts[4]=book_data[book].url;parts[5]=(verse duction ","Verses 1-13","Verses 14-28"]; function

Pericope (part_of)

절 (explains)

bible-text/jer-38-14, bible-text/jer-38-15, bible-text/jer-38-16, bible-text/jer-38-17, bible-text/jer-38-18, bible-text/jer-38-19, bible-text/jer-38-20, bible-text/jer-38-21, bible-text/jer-38-22, bible-text/jer-38-23, bible-text/jer-38-24, bible-text/jer-38-25, bible-text/jer-38-26, bible-text/jer-38-27, bible-text/jer-38-28

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**시드기야 왕과 예레미야의 밀담**

앞 장에서도 왕이 예레미야와 비밀 담화를 나눈 바 있다. 5절에서 왕이 예레미야를 원수들의 손에 내준 이후에도 다시 그를 불러 이야기를 나누는 것을 보면, 이 불운한 왕의 가슴 속에서 확신과 타락한 본성 사이의 갈등이 얼마나 치열했는지 알 수 있다.

**I. 왕이 예레미야에게 보이는 예우.** 구덩이에서 막 건져 나온 예레미야를 왕은 곧바로 불러 밀담을 청한다. 만남의 장소는 여호와의 성전으로 향하는, 혹은 그 입구 쪽에 있는 세 번째 출입구였다(14절). 이 장소를 택한 것은 하나님의 말씀을 구하면서 하나님의 집을 향한 존경심을 나타내려 한 것일 수 있다. 왕은 예레미야에게 "한 말씀을 묻겠다. 나에게 아무것도 숨기지 말라"고 한다. 이전 장에서도 이미 분명히 어떻게 될지 들었지만, 발람처럼 더 좋은 대답을 얻기를 바라며 다시 묻는 것이었다. 마치 하나님은 변하지 않으시는 분인데, 자신처럼 마음이 오락가락하는 것과 같은 분으로 여기는 듯하다.

**II. 예레미야가 조언하기 전에 왕과 맺는 조건(15절).** 예레미야는 두 가지를 확인하려 한다. 첫째는 자신의 안전이다. "내가 사실대로 말씀드리면 당신은 나를 죽이지 않겠습니까?" 예레미야가 죽음을 두려워해서 사역을 피하려 한 것이 아니다. 주어진 사명을 감당하면서도 목숨을 보전하기 위한 모든 합당한 수단을 취하는 것은 옳은 일이다. 예수님의 사도들도 그렇게 했다. 둘째는 자신이 전할 조언이 실질적인 효과를 낼 것인지다. 예레미야는 왕의 상황을 진심으로 걱정하며, 구덩이에 던진 것에 대해 원망하지 않고, 방백들의 의견이나 들으라고 돌려보내지도 않는다. 목사는 온유함으로 반항하는 자들도 교훈해야 하며, 악을 선으로 갚아야 한다. 예레미야는 왕이 결국 좋은 조언을 받아들이기를 간절히 바란다. "당신이 내 말을 듣겠습니까? 이제 마침내 당신의 평화에 속한 것들을 알 때가 된 것 같으니 말입니다."

그런데 후자에 관해 시드기야는 아무 대답도 하지 않는다. 하나님의 뜻을 알고 싶다면서도, 막상 그것을 알게 되면 왕으로서 스스로 판단하여 따를지 말지를 결정하겠다는 것이다. 마치 왕의 특권이 좋은 조언으로 인한 자신의 파멸을 막지 못하도록 하는 것인 양 행동한다. 반면 예레미야의 안전에 관해서는 왕으로서의 맹세로 약속한다. "나는 너를 죽이지 않겠고, 네 목숨을 노리는 자들의 손에 넘기지도 않겠다"(16절). 이것이 대단한 은혜인 양 여겼지만, 느부갓네살과 벨사살은 다니엘이 자기들의 운명을 선고했을 때 그를 보호했을 뿐만 아니라 상을 주고 높였다(단 2:48). 이 자리에서 왕의 맹세는 엄숙하고 주목할 만하다. "나를 이 혼을 만드신 여호와께서 살아 계심을 두고 맹세한다." 내가 생명을 부당하게 빼앗는다면, 생명의 주이신 그분께 내 생명을 내놓아야 한다는 뜻이다.

[참고] 하나님은 영들의 아버지이시다. 혼은 하나님의 작품이며, 우리 몸보다 훨씬 더 경이롭고 놀랍게 만들어졌다. 가장 위대한 왕의 혼도, 가장 가난한 죄수의 혼도 하나님이 만드신 것이다. 하나님은 그 마음을 하나같이 지으신다. 하나님을 향한 모든 호소에서, 우리 자신과 다른 사람들을 대하는 모든 관계에서, 우리는 살아 계신 하나님이 우리에게 이 혼을 주셨다는 사실을 늘 기억해야 한다.

**III. 예레미야가 왕에게 주는 조언과 그 이유들.** 예레미야는 만군의 여호와, 이스라엘의 하나님의 이름으로 명확하게 권한다. 정치가로서가 아니라 선지자로서, 바벨론 왕의 신하들에게 나가서 항복하라고 권면한다(17절). 이것은 이미 백성들에게 권한 것이기도 했다(2절, 렘 21:9 참조). 하나님의 심판에는 잠잠히 복종하는 것이 맞다고, 그 심판에 맞서려 하지 말라고. 왕에게든 백성에게든 같은 조언이 좋은 조언이 된다. 하나님 앞에서는 사람을 외모로 취하지 않으시기 때문이다.

예레미야는 왕이 이 조언을 따르도록 선과 악, 생명과 죽음을 눈앞에 펼쳐 보인다. 첫째, 순순히 항복한다면 자녀들을 칼에서 구하고 예루살렘을 불에서 구할 것이다. 아직 흰 기를 내걸 시간이 있다. 하나님의 공의를 인정한다면 하나님의 자비를 경험할 것이다. "성읍이 불에 타지 않고, 너도 살고 네 집도 살 것이다." 그러나 둘째, 고집스럽게 버텨낸다면 집안과 예루살렘이 함께 멸망한다(18절). 하나님이 심판하실 때는 반드시 이기신다. 죄인들의 처지가 이와 같다. 하나님의 은혜와 다스림에 겸손히 순복하면 살 것이다. 주의 힘을 붙잡아 화목을 이루면 화목을 이룰 수 있다. 그러나 마음을 굳게 한다면 반드시 파멸이 온다. 굽히지 않으면 부러질 것이다.

**IV. 시드기야가 예레미야의 조언에 제기하는 이의(19절).** 예레미야는 하나님의 권위와 예언으로 그에게 말했다. 신적 권위와 지혜와 선하심에 합당한 존중이 있었다면, 하나님의 뜻이 무엇인지 파악하는 즉시 그것에 순복하기로 결단했어야 한다. 그러나 왕은 마치 그것이 단순히 예레미야 개인의 지혜에서 나온 조언이기라도 한 것처럼, 자신의 세상적인 계산으로 반박한다. 인간의 지혜는 하나님의 뜻을 거스를 때 어리석음이 된다. 왕이 내세우는 이유는 오직 하나다. "나는 갈대아인들에게 이미 넘어간 유대인들이 두렵습니다. 그들이 나를 그들의 손에 넘기고 조롱할까 봐 말입니다." 이에 대해 다음 세 가지를 생각해볼 수 있다.

첫째, 갈대아인들이 넘어간 유대인들 손에 왕을 넘기거나, 유대인 포로들이 자기 왕의 불행을 비웃을 가능성은 거의 없었다. 이것은 전혀 근거 없는 두려움이다.

[참고] 우리는 스스로 만들어낸 어리석고 근거 없는 두려움 때문에 의무를 저버리는 경우가 많다. 그것은 오직 우리 자신의 상상력이 만들어낸 것일 뿐이다.

둘째, 설령 유대인들에게 조금 조롱을 받는다 한들, 그것을 감수하지 못할까? 의무와 이익이 되는 일을 한다고 조롱당하는 것을 감당하지 못하는 사람은 정신이 너무 약한 것이다.

셋째, 설령 왕이 상상하는 가장 큰 개인적 불이익이 실제로 닥친다 해도, 가족과 도성의 파멸이라는 더 큰 재앙을 피하기 위해서라면 하나님께 순종하며 그것을 감수해야 했다. 항복이 비겁함으로 보일 것을 염려했지만, 덜한 악인 유대인들의 조롱을 감수하면서 더 큰 악인 가족과 나라의 파멸을 막는 것이야말로 진정한 용기였다.

**V. 예레미야가 자신의 조언을 강력하게 거듭 촉구하다.** 그는 왕이 순종한다면 두려워하는 그 일이 일어나지 않을 것이라고 보장한다(20절). "그들이 너를 넘기지 않고 네 신분에 합당하게 대우할 것이다." 그는 왕에게 어리석은 처신들로 날린 마지막 패를 현명하게 쓰라고, 그리고 마침내 자신을 위한 선한 길을 택하라고 간청한다. "여호와의 음성을 들어라. 그것이 그분의 음성이기 때문에 들어라. 그리하면 네게 좋을 것이다." 그러나 왕이 따르지 않는다면 어떤 결과가 오는지도 말해준다.

첫째, 왕 자신이 지금 친구로 삼을 수 있는 갈대아인들의 손에 포로로 넘어갈 것이다. 어차피 넘어갈 바에야 쉽게 넘어갈 방법을 찾아야 한다. "너는 그들의 손에서 빠져나가지 못할 것이다"(23절).

둘째, 성읍의 파멸이 왕 자신의 책임이 된다. 조금만 굴복하고 자기부인을 했더라면 막을 수 있었으므로. "네가 이 성읍이 불에 타게 할 것이다." 이처럼 백성들이 보호자가 되어야 할 통치자들의 교만과 완고함 때문에 고통받는 일이 자주 일어난다.

셋째, 왕이 근거 없이 두려워했던 불명예스러운 비난은 실제로는 오지 않겠지만, 버텨냈다는 이유로 당연히 받아야 할 비난은 여자들에게서까지 받게 될 것이다(22절). 여호야김과 여호야긴이 잡혀갈 때 남겨진 궁녀들이 이제 적의 손에 넘어가게 되는데, 그녀들이 말할 것이다. "당신이 믿고 따르던 신하들이 당신을 부추겨 끝까지 버티라 했고, 결국 당신을 이겼습니다. 당신의 진정한 원수는 다름 아닌 당신의 친구인 척했던 그들이었습니다. 당신의 발이 진흙에 빠졌고, 그들은 등을 돌려 물러갔습니다." 그렇게 시드기야는 모든 아내들과 자녀들이 정복자들의 전리품이 될 때, 여자들에게도 비웃음을 당하게 된다(23절).

[참고] 죄를 통해 피하려 했던 것들을 하나님의 공의가 반드시 우리에게 가져올 것이다. 불명예가 두려워 의무를 저버리는 자는 불순종의 길에서 반드시 훨씬 더 큰 불명예를 만나게 된다. 악인이 두려워하는 것이 그에게 임하리라(잠 10:24).

**VI. 시드기야가 이 밀담을 비밀에 부치려는 조치(24절).** "이 말을 아무도 알게 하지 마라." 왕은 하나님의 뜻을 따르겠다는 기색조차 보이지 않고, 그것을 고려조차 하지 않는다. 오랫동안 하나님의 부르심에 완고하게 저항하고 죄의 길에서 제멋대로 살아온 탓에, 좋은 조언을 들어도 그것을 따르기는커녕 자신의 뜻대로만 행하려 하는 채로 넘겨진 것처럼 보인다.

많은 사람들이 하나님의 말씀을 듣고도 그대로 행하지 않는다.

첫째, 예레미야는 왕과 나눈 대화를 누구에게도 알리지 말라는 지시를 받는다. 왕이 이것을 비밀로 하고 싶었던 것은 예레미야의 안전을 위해서라기보다는 자신의 체면 때문이었다. 방백들이 자기 허락 없이는 예레미야에게 해를 끼칠 수 없다는 것을 알면서도 그랬다.

[참고] 많은 사람들이 실제로 선한 사람들과 선한 것들에 더 호감을 가지면서도 기꺼이 인정하려 들지 않는다. 하나님의 선지자들이 그들의 양심 앞에서 분명히 드러나지만(고후 5:11), 그것이 세상에 알려지는 것을 원하지 않는다. 그들에게 호의를 베풀기보다 그것이 알려지는 것을 더 꺼린다. 이런 자들은 하나님의 칭찬보다 사람의 칭찬을 더 사랑하는 자들이다.

둘째, 예레미야는 방백들이 왕과 나눈 대화 내용을 캐물을 경우 어떻게 대답할지 지시를 받는다. 요나단의 집으로 돌려보내지 말아 달라고 왕에게 청원했다고 말하라는 것이었다(25-26절). 예레미야는 실제로 그렇게 말했고(27절), 그것은 분명히 사실이었다. 그는 그 기회에 왕의 은혜를 구했을 것이 틀림없다. 따라서 이것은 거짓말이나 애매한 말이 아니었다. 그는 방백들이 자기에게 강요할 아무 의무가 없는 상황에서, 자신을 위험에 빠뜨리지 않기 위해 진실의 일부를 말한 것이었다.

[참고] 비둘기처럼 순결하게 결코 의도적인 거짓말을 해서는 안 되지만, 뱀처럼 슬기롭게 스스로를 위험에 빠뜨리는 말을 함부로 하지 않아야 한다.

예레미야는 왕이 명한 대로 방백들에게 말했고, 방백들은 그 말을 듣고 더 이상 캐묻지 않았다(27절). 예레미야는 예루살렘이 함락되는 날까지 시위대 뜰에 머물렀다(28절).

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