A choice between life and Death

 Read Jeremiah 21.

There is a time gap of over 15 years between chapters 20 and 21.  The narrative jumps over the reign of several kings to the time of Zedekiah, the last of Judah's 20 kings.  The Babylonian army had laid siege to the city of Jerusalem (v.4) and the king wished to know God's will.  Though years had passed and the prophecy was unfolding, the king still held out hope that maybe God would intervene on their behalf.  So, he sent two of his trusted men to inquire of Jeremiah.  Note: this Pashhur is not the same man mentioned in chapter 20.

God had not changed His plans to punish Judah for their rebellion and sin.  In a step by step series of declarations, the LORD relayed through Jeremiah what was about to take place.   
1. "I will turn back the weapons of war that are in your hands." (v.4a)
Zedekiah prepared his people to fight against the enemy and try to save Jerusalem.  It was a foolish notion to think that they could overcome the world's most powerful army.  God told them that their weapons would be used against them.

2. "I will bring them together in the midst of the city." (v.4b)
God will cause the Babylonians to breach the walls of Jerusalem and assemble the enemy right in the heart of the city. 

3. "I myself will fight against you." (v.5)
The Babylonians were only pawns in the Hand of God to perform all that He wanted done.

4. "I will strike down the inhabitants of this city." (v.6)
The LORD sent a disease among the people that killed many even before the fighting began.

5. "I will give Zedekiah...into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar." (v.7)
As prophesied several times previously, all the people would experience one of four things.  They would either die by disease, sword, famine, or they would be taken captive back to Babylon.

6. "I set before you the way of life and the way of death." (v.8-9)
They had a choice.  By surrendering and going into captivity they would live.  If they chose to stay and fight, they would die.

7. "I have set my face against this city for harm." (v.10)
The day of judgment for their years of sin had come.  This was not the good news for which Zedekiah hoped.

In the same way, God offers to all a choice between the way of eternal life through Jesus or face the certainty of eternal punishment.  Like Zedekiah, many will try to put off the decision and hope for a last minute reprieve.  But God's plans will not be changed.  We need to respond in surrender to Him now and live.