Why Submission Was So Important

God wanted them to submit and make their servitude as pleasant as possible. His counsel was: “Build houses, and dwell in them; plant gardens. ... Seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the Lord for it; for in its peace you shall have peace.” Verses 5-7.RR 156.5

Among the false teachers in Babylon were two men whose lives were corrupt. Jeremiah had warned them of their danger. Angered by reproof, they tried to stir up the people to act contrary to the counsel of God concerning submitting to the king of Babylon. The Lord testified through Jeremiah that these false prophets would be delivered to Nebuchadnezzar and executed. Not long afterward, this prediction was fulfilled.RR 156.6

To the end of time, people will arise to create confusion and rebellion among those who claim to be representatives of God. Those who prophesy lies will encourage people to look on sin as a light thing. They will seek to make the one who has warned them responsible for their difficulties, even as the Jews charged Jeremiah with their evil fortunes. But, as anciently, God’s messages will prove to be certain today.RR 157.1

Jeremiah had followed a consistent course in counseling submission to the Babylonians. Ambassadors from Edom, Moab, Tyre, and other nations visited Zedekiah to learn whether he would join them in a united revolt against Babylon. While these ambassadors were awaiting a response, the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah: “Make yourself a yoke of straps and bars, and put them on your neck. Send word to the [neighboring kings] ... by the hand of the envoys who have come to Jerusalem.” Jeremiah 27:2, 3, NRSV. God had given them all into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar, and they were to “serve him and his son and his grandson, until the time of his own land comes.” Verse 7, NRSV.RR 157.2

The ambassadors were further instructed that if they refused to serve the Babylonian king, they would be punished “with the sword, with famine, and with pestilence.” “You, therefore, must not listen to your prophets,” the Lord declared, “your diviners, your dreamers. ... For they are prophesying a lie to you, with the result that you will be removed far from your land. ... But any nation that will bring its neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon and serve him, I will leave on its own land, says the Lord, to till it and live there.” Verses 8-11, NRSV. The lightest punishment a merciful God could inflict on so rebellious a people was submission to the rule of Babylon, but if they warred against this they were to feel the full strength of His punishment. The amazement of the assembled council of nations knew no limits when Jeremiah made known the will of God.RR 157.3