Under the type of bonds and yokes, he prophesieth the subduing of the neighbour kings unto Nebuchadnezzar: he exhorteth them to yield, and not to believe the false prophets: the like he doeth to Zedekiah: he foretelleth that the remnant of the vessels shall be carried to Babylon, and there continue until the day of visitation.
Before Christ 598.
THE prophesies contained both in this chapter, and in that which follows next, belong to the fourth year of Zedekiah's reign. About this time ambassadors came to Zedekiah from the kings of Edom, Moab, and other neighbouring nations, to solicit him, as it should seem, to join with them in a confederacy against the king of Babylon. On this occasion Jeremiah is ordered to put bands and yokes about his neck, and to send them afterwards to the before-mentioned kings, declaring the sovereignty of Nebuchadnezzar and his successors to be of divine appointment, and promising peace and protection to such as submitted quietly, but menacing evil in case of resistance, Jeremiah 26:1-11. A like admonition is delivered to Zedekiah, advising him not to expose himself and his people to certain ruin by listening to the suggestions of false prophets, and revolting from the service of the king of Babylon; Jeremiah 26:12-15. The priests and all the people are also warned not to give credit to the false prophets, who taught them to expect a speedy restoration of the vessels, which had been carried to Babylon together with Jeconiah. Instead of which it is foretold, that the remaining vessels in the house of God, and in the king's house at Jerusalem, should be carried after the other, and should not return till the appointed period of Judah's captivity was at an end; Jeremiah 26:16.—to the end.