Jeremiah 22:25
And I will give thee into the hand of them that seek thy life, and into the hand of them whose face thou fearest, even into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of the Chaldeans.
Jeremiah 22:25
This verse presents God’s judgment in concrete terms: “And I will give thee into the hand of them that seek thy life, and into the hand of them whose face thou fearest.” It emphasizes fear-driven enemies and those who actively threaten the king’s life. The chief message is the consequence of unfaithfulness: danger and exposure to enemies. The language reinforces the certainty of Babylonian conquest as God’s instrument of discipline. It situates Jehoiakim’s fate within the broader arc of exile and destruction that will befall Jerusalem.
Theologically, it underscores divine sovereignty in world affairs and the idea that fear and mistreatment of others lead to reciprocal danger. It also highlights God’s use of foreign powers to correct a wayward people, while warning against placing ultimate trust in human guardians.
Today, the verse speaks to leadership under pressure and the danger of trusting malign forces for protection. Practical steps: cultivate prudent, ethical security measures; avoid colluding with fearful, violent actors; and seek alliances grounded in justice and mercy. On a personal level, consider what you fear that drives harmful decisions, asking for God’s help to respond with courage rooted in trust rather than fear.
Cross-References: Psalm 27:1; Isaiah 41:10; 2 Kings 17:20-21; Romans 8:31