The book of Jeremiah finishes with a final account of the destruction of Jerusalem (v1-11) and the temple (v12-23). These things had to happen because the people of God had made Jerusalem and the temple into superstitious idols, thinking that as long as they had them they would be okay, no matter how they conducted themselves. This reminds us how our faith has always to be in the Lord alone and not in the trappings of worship or religion. Subtly the focus of our faith can be diverted and we need to be watchful.

Jeremiah recounts the story of those taken into exile (v24-31). Jeremiah is known as the weeping prophet and in this final chapter up until now he lives up to that title. But that’s not the end, the book finishes with a note of hope in the form of King Jehoiachin of Judah who was graciously freed from prison (v31). He was given a seat at the King’s table (v32), he took off his prison clothes (v33) and given a regular allowance to meet all his needs (v34).

The book of Jeremiah (like the book of 2 Kings) finishes with this story of Jehoiachin because from his family line would come great hope in the future. It would be his descendant Zerubbabel who would lead the exiles back to Jerusalem. And it would be his even greater descendant Jesus who would come to be the King of kings and Saviour of the world (see Matt. 1 v11).