Jeremiah 34  King Zedekiah was given another opportunity to obey the Lord and survive the Babylonians. He seemed to obey, by making a covenant with all the people in Jerusalem to release any Jewish slaves as required by the Law.  But, "afterward they turned around and took back the male servants and the female servants, whom they had set free, and brought them into subjection.." 

Disobedience brought severe judgement. "Therefore thus says the Lord, 'You have not obeyed Me in proclaiming the release each man to his brother, and each man to his neighbor.  Behold, I am proclaiming a release to you,' declares the Lord, 'to the sword, to the pestilence , and to the famine; and I will make you a terror to all the kingdoms of the earth .'"

Why would they make a covenant that they did not intend to keep?  Why would they make their fellow Jews their slaves.. at the price of their own lives?  I can think of several reasons:
1. Unbelief - they continually denied the authority of God's Word and did not believe that God would do what He said He would do.
2. Greed - without their servants they would not have all that they wanted -no one to plant or harvest food, no one to cook or care for them, no one to lord over and boast of their success.
They were so foolish!  For they were about to lose everything! Including their own lives.

 The people of Jeremiah's time forfeited everything for the sake of the "world".  Zedekiah in particular lost so much for his disobedience  - instead of living in Babylon and having an honorable funeral at his peaceful death - he watched his sons be killed in front of him and then had his eyes blinded.  He gained nothing and lost everything.   Do we also fall into these false ways of thinking?

Jesus spoke these words, " For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul?" ( Mark 8:36) He tells us to deny ourselves and take up our cross and follow Him.  He tells us that if we try to save ourselves we will lose.. but if we lose ourselves for His sake, for the gospel - then we will live.  What is our soul worth?   If we were in Zedekiah's place would we decide that having our own way is worth more than our souls? Do we understand that for ourselves?

What do we do?  First of all, we must make the decision to believe God's Word - to believe that He is who He says He is and He will do what He says He will do.  Second, we must obey His Word - following Jesus. Persevering.. overcoming.. surrendering all to Him.. Walking by His Spirit living in us.  Nothing in this world is worth losing Him! No amount of money or power or selfish wishes.. nothing!

Father in heaven, hallowed be Your Name.  You are worthy of all our praise and worship.  May we keep every covenant with You.  May we walk in Your paths and lean on Your understanding and not our own.  Fill us Spirit with spiritual wisdom and understanding so that we may live a life worthy of You, pleasing You and bearing fruit in every good work.  We pray this with great thanksgiving in our hearts for You are able to do all things and we belong to You.  amen.