It is in the ninth year of Zedekiah’s reign, on the tenth day of the tenth month, that the final siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar began (Ezek. 24:1–2). Probably out of despair for a solution, Zedekiah went to the temple, before the Lord (Jer. 34:15), and “made a covenant with all the people who were at Jerusalem to proclaim liberty to them: that every man should set free his male and female slave” (vv. 8–9). After they did so, Pharaoh went out against the Chaldeans, which momentarily ended the siege of Jerusalem. Thinking the Chaldeans were gone for good (37:9), and that all would be well, the people brought back the slaves they had just freed to subdue them again. The Lord pronounced a severe judgment against them. After having done that which is right in His sight, and in His house, they profaned His name by breaking their covenant (34:16). They did that which was right before the Lord, but then they said, “Meh, whatever,” thus profaning the name of the Lord.

Here is a good reminder for us that we Christians bear the name of Christ. In 2 Corinthians 3:3, the apostle Paul wrote, “You are an epistle of Christ.” We might be the only epistle or Bible that many people in this world will ever read. As members of the body of Christ, may our actions speak of His glorious and perfect Person to all around us. But not only that. Let us also remember that our Lord Jesus said, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word” (Jn. 14:23). Clearly, Zedekiah had no real fear of nor love for the Lord. But as for us, let us show the Lord our love to Him in keeping His word and walking faithfully according to it until He comes. The obedience of His people glorifies His name.