How does Jeremiah 21:6 connect with God's justice in other scriptures? Jeremiah 21:6 in Focus “I will strike down the residents of this city, both man and beast. They will die in a terrible plague.” Justice Displayed in Covenant Terms • This announcement echoes the covenant warnings of Deuteronomy 28:21–22, where plague is promised for covenant violation. • God’s justice is not random; it is the fulfillment of His earlier, clearly-stated terms with Israel (Leviticus 26:14–25). • By executing the promised consequence, the Lord upholds His own Word, proving Himself truthful and righteous (Numbers 23:19). Holiness That Cannot Ignore Sin • Habakkuk 1:13 affirms, “Your eyes are too pure to look on evil.” God’s holy nature demands a response to persistent rebellion. • Jeremiah 21:6 shows holiness meeting sin in judgment, the same reality seen at the cross where wrath and mercy converge (Isaiah 53:5–6; 2 Corinthians 5:21). Consistency with Prophetic Warnings • Jeremiah 14:12 and Ezekiel 14:21 list sword, famine, and plague as God’s “four severe judgments.” Jeremiah 21:6 zeroes in on plague, demonstrating one facet of that multifaceted justice. • Amos 4:10 records similar plagues “yet you did not return to Me,” highlighting judgment’s redemptive aim—turning hearts back to God. Justice Paired with Patience • Jeremiah had preached repentance for decades (Jeremiah 3:12–14). Plague arrives only after long-sufferance, illustrating Romans 2:4: “the riches of His kindness, tolerance, and patience.” • God’s delayed judgment underscores 2 Peter 3:9—He is “patient…not wanting anyone to perish,” yet justice ultimately falls when mercy is spurned. Foreshadowing Final Judgment • Revelation 6:8 depicts plague as part of the end-times ride of the pale horse, linking Jeremiah’s historical event with the ultimate future outworking of divine justice. • Just as Jerusalem’s citizens faced real consequences, the world will face final judgment, fulfilling Acts 17:31. Justice That Drives Us to Grace • Jeremiah 21:8 places “the way of life and the way of death” before the people, paralleling Romans 6:23—“the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life.” • Justice magnifies grace: only when sin’s penalty is clear does the gospel shine brightest (John 3:36). Key Takeaways • God’s justice is covenant-faithful—He does exactly what He says He will do. • Holiness demands judgment; patience delays it; grace offers escape. • Jeremiah 21:6 stands in line with Scripture-wide affirmations that sin brings death, yet divine justice ultimately serves God’s redemptive purpose. |
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