The Bible Recap — Day 230: Jeremiah 38–40, Psalm 74, 79 (Year 7)

Host: Tara-Leigh Cobble
Date: August 18, 2025
Podcast Focus: Chronological Bible reading plan with daily recaps and insights

Episode Overview

In this episode, Tara-Leigh Cobble walks listeners through Jeremiah chapters 38–40 and Psalms 74 and 79. The main focus is on Jeremiah’s suffering and deliverance as Jerusalem’s fall approaches, the notable rescue by an outsider, and lessons from the psalms that frame the destruction of Jerusalem as both tragic and deserved. Tara-Leigh draws connections to earlier biblical stories, reflects on human fear and divine deliverance, and shares personal prayers inspired by the readings.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jeremiah in the Cistern: Parallels to Joseph

• Throwback to Joseph (00:21): Tara-Leigh draws parallels between Jeremiah’s ordeal and Joseph in Genesis 37: both are unjustly imprisoned but ultimately favored by kings, partially due to their humility.
  • “Did this give you flashbacks to Joseph's story in Genesis 37?... Both wrongly imprisoned, but earned favor with the king through their humble service.” (00:21)
• Opposition to Jeremiah: The officials are angered by Jeremiah's “pro-Babylon” prophecies, seeking his death for demoralizing the people. King Zedekiah, although friendly toward Jeremiah, is too afraid to protect him.
• Cistern Description: Vivid explanation of the cistern to highlight Jeremiah’s hopelessness:
  • “If you've never seen a cistern, imagine a huge milk jug buried in the ground... These details make it clear that this situation was designed to kill Jeremiah.” (02:07)

2. Biblical Echoes: Pilate & Jesus

• Tara-Leigh explicitly links Zedekiah’s actions to Pontius Pilate’s role in Jesus’ trial, referencing Luke 23.
  • “Does this remind you of that scenario? ... see how similar it seems to you.” (01:41)

3. Rescue by Outsider: The Ethiopian Eunuch

• Daring Rescue: Jeremiah is saved not by an Israelite, but by a compassionate Ethiopian eunuch—a striking example of an outsider displaying more righteousness than God’s own people.
  • “It's telling that Jeremiah, prophet to Israel, is rescued by a non-Israelite... An Ethiopian is the only one brave enough and compassionate enough to act on his behalf.” (03:11)
• Means of Rescue:
  • “The Ethiopian raises Jeremiah out of the cistern using the old bed sheets out the window trick. Except in reverse.” (03:30)

4. Zedekiah’s Fear and Compromise

• Private Conversation: Zedekiah fears repercussions from his own people if he surrenders as Jeremiah advises. He and Jeremiah conspire to mislead others about their conversation, which Tara-Leigh notes as a “technical loophole” that God appears to tolerate given the high stakes.
  • “It's definitely misleading, but God doesn't seem to punish him for it. Perhaps because it's one of those times where a human life is at stake and that's of greater value.” (05:26)

5. Jerusalem’s Fall & Aftermath

• Fulfillment of Prophecy: Jerusalem falls after 1.5 years under siege, as God foretold. Zedekiah is captured and punished; most people are exiled except some poor citizens left behind.
• Nebuchadnezzar’s Kindness to Jeremiah: Jeremiah is singled out by Babylon’s king for protection.
  • “Jeremiah gets treated better by his country's enemies than by his own king.” (07:04)
• “No honor in his own hometown”: Drawing on Mark 6, Tara-Leigh notes how prophets are often rejected by their own people.

6. Blessing for the Ethiopian Eunuch

• Jeremiah delivers God’s message: the selfless outsider who saved him will be spared during judgment.
  • “Once again, the outsider is welcomed into God's family.” (08:02)

7. Jeremiah’s Freedom & Judah’s Restoration

• Jeremiah is almost exiled by mistake, but the Babylonian captain frees him, offering a choice to remain in Judah or leave.
• The new governor, Gedaliah, sees exiles returning and Judah beginning to rebuild, but imminent threat remains as plots against Gedaliah are dismissed.

8. Psalms 74 & 79: Lament & Plea for Mercy

• Psalm 74: Uncertain if written before/after Jerusalem’s destruction—captures the catastrophic context.
• Psalm 79: Distinct for holding Jacob’s people accountable for the disaster; the psalmist pleads for mercy “for your name’s sake.”
• “But the psalmist begs for mercy and relief, appealing to God on the basis of his name and his power.” (10:28)

Memorable Quotes & Reflections

• On God's Faithfulness:
  “Way back in chapter 1, verse 19, God had promised Jeremiah: ‘They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, declares the Lord, to deliver you.’ He's done it before and he'll do it again.” (02:51)
• On Human Worth:
  “This isn't prison. There's no way he can climb up smooth plaster walls for two stories to escape. And as if that situation's not bad enough, he sinks into the muddy bottom of the cistern. He's quite literally stuck. This is a desperate situation.” (02:37)
• On Interceding for Others (Psalm 79:9, 11):
  “Deliver us and atone for our sins for your name's sake. This plea was answered with a yes when Christ died for the sins of God's people, past, present and future.” (12:07)
  • Tara-Leigh shares her personal habit of writing names by Psalm 79:11 for those far from God:
    • “Beside this verse in my Bible, I've written the names of people I love who don't know Yahweh. I'm begging him to give them hearts that fear him, to draw them to Himself.” (12:42)
    • “According to your great power, preserve those doomed to die. The greatest death is to never know him, to be separated from him now and forever, because he's the way, the truth, and the life.” (13:12)

Notable Timestamps

• 00:21 — Parallels between Jeremiah and Joseph
• 01:41 — Zedekiah’s dilemma paralleled with Jesus & Pilate
• 02:07 — Description of the cistern and Jeremiah’s plight
• 03:11 — The Ethiopian eunuch’s rescue
• 05:26 — Zedekiah’s deception and God’s apparent tolerance
• 07:04 — Babylonians’ protection of Jeremiah
• 08:02 — God’s promise to the Ethiopian eunuch
• 10:28 — Distinction of Psalm 79 and its plea for mercy
• 12:07-13:12 — Godshot: Reflection on Psalm 79 and intercessory prayer

Closing Thought & Invitation

• Anticipation for the New Testament:
  “You and I are a little over a month away from starting the New Testament together. Can you believe it?... Invite your friends to join us in October for the New Testament.” (13:41)

Summary

Tara-Leigh masterfully weaves together Jeremiah’s intense suffering, the unexpected kindness of outsiders, and the historical tragedy depicted in the Psalms. The episode highlights God’s sovereign care, the call to intercede for others, and the recurring biblical pattern of outsiders demonstrating faith. Listeners are encouraged to reflect on both God’s judgment and mercy—ultimately pointing to Christ’s atonement—while anticipating the journey ahead into the New Testament.