The chapter begins with King Zedekiah sending Pashur and Zephaniah to Jeremiah, urgently seeking guidance from God as the Babylonians besiege Jerusalem. This request reflects a sense of desperation and urgency in the face of imminent danger (Jeremiah 21:1-2).
Jeremiah delivers a message from God that conveys divine judgment and wrath. The prophecy declares that God will turn against Jerusalem, bringing calamity and destruction upon the city and its inhabitants. This evokes a sense of fear and inevitability (Jeremiah 21:3-7).
God, through Jeremiah, presents a stark choice to the people: surrender to the Babylonians and live, or resist and face certain death. This ultimatum underscores the gravity of their situation and the dire consequences of their actions, creating a sense of anxiety and urgency (Jeremiah 21:8-10).
The chapter condemns the house of David for their failure to execute justice and righteousness. The stern rebuke and the promise of punishment evoke a sense of hopelessness and condemnation for their persistent disobedience (Jeremiah 21:11-14).