“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.
Jeremiah 21:8-9 NET
Jerusalem was under siege by the Babylonian army. Life in the city was hard. But surrender looked even worse.
Jeremiah’s message to those locked up in Jerusalem was not popular. In fact, it had him thrown into prison. His message from God was that Jerusalem was going to fall and be destroyed by Babylon. There was no escape.
But even in the face of the coming destruction, there was hope. Those who would leave the doomed city and surrender to Babylon would live. But for those who choose to remain in Jerusalem, death awaited them.
This same choice is offered to all people today. But rather than escaping a doomed Jerusalem, it is the opportunity to escape the judgment coming on this world and those who live in it. Surrender to the Lord and live. Or stay in the world and face death.
Just as surrendering to Babylon would have been scary, surrendering to the Lord can be frightening. Surrendering and losing control is not something most of us want to do. But it is the way to life. Not just life for a few years. But life eternal.
The alternative is to ignore the call of Jesus and continue in this life for a few years. This may be the more comfortable choice. But it is a choice that ends in destruction.
Which choice will you make?
