I am setting before you the way of life and the way of death

Jeremiah 21:1-10

They said: “Inquire now of the Lord for us because Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon is attacking us. Perhaps the Lord will perform wonders for us as in times past so that he will withdraw from us.”

But Jeremiah answered them, “Tell Zedekiah, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: I am about to turn against you the weapons of war that are in your hands, which you are using to fight the king of Babylon and the Babylonians who are outside the wall besieging you. And I will gather them inside this city. I myself will fight against you with an outstretched hand and a mighty arm in furious anger and in great wrath. I will strike down those who live in this city—both man and beast—and they will die of a terrible plague. After that, declares the Lord, I will give Zedekiah king of Judah, his officials and the people in this city who survive the plague, sword and famine, into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and to their enemies who want to kill them. He will put them to the sword; he will show them no mercy or pity or compassion.’

“Furthermore, tell the people, ‘This is what the Lord says: See, I am setting before you the way of life and the way of death. Whoever stays in this city will die by the sword, famine or plague. But whoever goes out and surrenders to the Babylonians who are besieging you will live; they will escape with their lives. I have determined to do this city harm and not good, declares the Lord. It will be given into the hands of the king of Babylon, and he will destroy it with fire.

Why?

Jeremiah did not listen to king Zedekiah and the priest's request to ask the Lord, for they did not turn away from the evil. Only when they felt the dead was closer they wanted Jeremiah to pray to the Lord for them.

Those people did not sense the evil and what they have done. So the punishment from the Lord came upon them. Even Jeremiah had announced these messages and warnings many times.

But Jeremiah still gives them the way of life and the way of death to choose, showing them the ways, but they still did not listen.

How?

The sad thing is their heart is dead, they didn't know what is the right way. So as we have to closer to the Lord and know the truth in Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.