July 27

Jeremiah 52
Why does Jeremiah revisit the destruction of Jerusalem for the final chapter of his book? Why does he spend time mentioning the bronze sea, bulls, pillars and capitals that were broken up and carried away? Why does he mention the utensils of gold and bronze that were carried away? Why does he not mention any of the inner furniture of the temple, particularly the Ark of the Covenant and the Mercy Seat? Why does he not mention the destruction of the bronze altar? Why are these things so important?
Maybe the bronze altar was not mentioned because it had been replaced by Ahaz with a model of a pagan altar and then that altar was replaced with altars for Baal by Manasseh. Josiah destroyed the pagan altars. No mention is made of the remaking of an altar of bronze. The bronze furniture that Solomon made, the altar and the sea were types of judgment. The pillars marked the entrance into the holy place. The whole original typology was that entrance into the presence of a holy God is only accomplished through judgment where our sin punished. The Sea in particular signified the washing away of sin before entering His presence. The gold lampstand, table of presence, altar of incense, Ark of the Covenant and mercy seat (none of which are mentioned) all speak of the presence of God and communion with Him. The thrust of Jeremiah’s ministry was to call the people to repentance so that they might escape the judgment of God. They did not repent. Thus, judgment was carried out. The record of the breaking up of the bronze furniture signifies the accomplishment of judgment. No mention of the interior furniture implies that the path to the presence of and communion with God is temporarily closed. Jeremiah’s ministry is finished. He proclaimed the judgment of God. Yes, he introduced us to the New Covenant, but the New Covenant would not be inaugurated for 620 years.
Jeremiah closes with this final look at the judgment upon Judah for their forsaking the Lord. In less than 23 years following the death of one Judah’s most righteous kings, Josiah, the nation is judged and broken and hauled off to Babylon. How do we see the glory of God in this? He is indeed a God of judgment. The wicked do not go un-judged. Isaiah put it well, “Call out to her! Her warfare is ended! Her iniquity is removed! For she has received of the Lord, double for her sin! . . . Comfort my people!” There is a promise of mercy in the New Covenant. I consider myself to be dead with Him on the cross. Judgment has taken place. I have been raised with Him to walk in newness of life and His righteousness. Instead of having my eyes put out and my sons killed and being placed in chains of bondage, I have His spiritual sight. I have life! I have freedom because of Him! I will cling to this glory! Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today!
--Pastor john
P.S. What happened to the Ark? My seminary prof’s personal opinion was that it was melted down by Nebuchadnezzar. The Ethiopian Coptic church claims that Solomon gave it to their queen, so it was never present when the walls of Jerusalem were breeched. There are a few Rabbinical traditions that it was hidden by Jeremiah in the closing hours of Jerusalem’s life before the breeching of the walls. Some suggest that it is hidden in the Labyrinth of tunnels and cisterns underneath the temple mount. Some suggest other locations.