Jeremiah 40:3

Now the LORD hath brought [it], and done according as he hath said: because ye have sinned against the LORD, and have not obeyed his voice, therefore this thing is come upon you.

Now the LORD {H3068} hath brought {H935} it, and done {H6213} according as he hath said {H1696}: because ye have sinned {H2398} against the LORD {H3068}, and have not obeyed {H8085} his voice {H6963}, therefore this thing {H1697} is come upon you.

and ADONAI has brought it about; he has done what he said he would do, because you people sinned against ADONAI and did not listen to what he said; that is why this has come upon you.

and now the LORD has fulfilled it; He has done just as He said. Because you people have sinned against the LORD and have not obeyed His voice, this thing has happened to you.

and Jehovah hath brought it, and done according as he spake: because ye have sinned against Jehovah, and have not obeyed his voice, therefore this thing is come upon you.

Commentary on Jeremiah 40:3

Jeremiah 40:3 captures a pivotal moment in the aftermath of Jerusalem's destruction by Babylon. This verse is remarkable because it is spoken by Nebuzaradan, the captain of Nebuchadnezzar's guard, a pagan official, who acknowledges the hand of the LORD (Yahweh), the God of Israel, in the catastrophe that has befallen Judah.

Context

Following the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC and the Babylonian exile of its inhabitants, Jeremiah the prophet was found among the captives. However, because of his consistent prophecies advocating submission to Babylon as God's will, Nebuchadnezzar had given specific orders to Nebuzaradan to treat Jeremiah well and grant him freedom. In this passage, Nebuzaradan releases Jeremiah, allowing him to choose whether to go to Babylon or remain in the devastated land. His words in verse 3 serve as a profound, external validation of Jeremiah's prophetic message, confirming that the judgment was not mere happenstance or Babylonian might alone, but the direct result of God's righteous decree.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty in Judgment: The verse powerfully asserts that the destruction of Jerusalem was not a random act of war but a deliberate act of God. Nebuzaradan, an outsider, recognizes that "the LORD hath brought [it], and done according as he hath said," indicating God's ultimate control over human history and nations, even using foreign powers as instruments of His will.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: The core reason for the judgment is explicitly stated: "because ye have sinned against the LORD, and have not obeyed his voice." This highlights the direct correlation between Israel's persistent rebellion and the severe consequences they faced. It underscores the covenantal relationship where blessings were tied to obedience and curses to disobedience, as outlined in the Law (Deuteronomy 28:15ff).
  • Prophetic Fulfillment: This verse is a testament to the accuracy and fulfillment of God's prophetic warnings delivered through Jeremiah and other prophets. For decades, Jeremiah had warned Judah of impending doom if they did not repent, and Nebuzaradan's statement confirms that every word of the Lord came to pass.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "hath brought [it], and done according as he hath said" emphasizes God's active role and faithfulness to His word. The Hebrew verb for "brought" (hebi') implies a direct action, while "done" ('asah) reinforces the completion of His decree. The emphasis is on God's active execution of His declared judgment, not just a passive allowance of events.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 40:3 serves as a timeless reminder of several spiritual truths:

  • God is Sovereign: Even in the darkest of times, God is on His throne, orchestrating events according to His divine plan. His purposes cannot be thwarted.
  • Sin Has Consequences: This verse starkly illustrates that disobedience to God's revealed will leads to undesirable outcomes. It calls believers to serious introspection regarding their own obedience.
  • The Reliability of God's Word: Just as God fulfilled His warnings of judgment, so too will He fulfill His promises of salvation, restoration, and blessing for those who turn to Him. His word is always true and dependable.
  • Recognizing God's Hand: Sometimes, even those outside the faith can discern the spiritual forces at play in human affairs, acknowledging a higher power at work.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Romans 2:5

    But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;

  • Jeremiah 50:7

    All that found them have devoured them: and their adversaries said, We offend not, because they have sinned against the LORD, the habitation of justice, even the LORD, the hope of their fathers.

  • Daniel 9:11

    Yea, all Israel have transgressed thy law, even by departing, that they might not obey thy voice; therefore the curse is poured upon us, and the oath that [is] written in the law of Moses the servant of God, because we have sinned against him.

  • Daniel 9:12

    And he hath confirmed his words, which he spake against us, and against our judges that judged us, by bringing upon us a great evil: for under the whole heaven hath not been done as hath been done upon Jerusalem.

  • Nehemiah 9:33

    Howbeit thou [art] just in all that is brought upon us; for thou hast done right, but we have done wickedly:

  • Deuteronomy 29:25

    Then men shall say, Because they have forsaken the covenant of the LORD God of their fathers, which he made with them when he brought them forth out of the land of Egypt:

  • Romans 3:19

    ¶ Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

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