Jeremiah (1998) - full transcript

Jeremiah... Jeremiah!

Wake up! Wake up, Jeremiah!

Don't you remember what day it is?

We leave for Jerusalem immediately.
Your mother's waiting outside.

Jeremiah! Hurry!

Come. The king promises a Passover

they will remember throughout the ages.

Do you know why today
will be so memorable, son?

We're celebrating the restoration
of Solomon's Temple.

And King Josiah finding the laws of Moses.

Think of it.



The laws of our people
lost for a hundred years,

then the king finds them,

and gives them once again to the people.

It is as if God Himself
was giving us a second chance.

It's a great honor, for your father

to perform a sacrifice at the temple
on this day of all days.

As a descendant of Aaron-

a Kohen, a priest,

it will be your turn to have
such an honor one day, too.

Jeremiah, stay close to us.

Mother, I'm not going to get lost.

Look at the beauty
of these gates, Jeremiah.

Jerusalem is the glory of our people,

and a light for all
the inhabitants of the earth.



No one can destroy this city, son.

The Lord dwells in it.

I want to show Jeremiah
the inside of the temple.

I'll find a place in front.

Son, do you see the stairs at the back?

They lead up to the Holy of Holies.

You're standing only a few meters
from the actual stones

that God's own finger touched
to write His commandments.

They're the testimony of the covenant
between God and His people.

We must abide by His Law
if we wish to remain free.

I will teach my children His Laws.

And they, in turn, shall teach
their children, Jeremiah.

That is the covenant.

- Who's coming?
- It's our king,

the great King Josiah.

Look carefully, Jeremiah. What do you see?

Before I formed you in your mother's womb,

I consecrated you. You are a prophet.

You'll speak to whom I send you, Jeremiah,

and you will speak whatever I command you.

Oh, Lord... I do not know how to speak.

I'm only a boy.

Do not say, "I'm only a boy."

Now I have put My words into your mouth.

Today I appoint you...

over nations, and over kingdoms.

Do not fear them,
for I am with you to deliver you.

But I am only a boy!

Jeremiah...

Jeremiah!

Jeremiah, wake up!

- You were dreaming.
- Dreaming?

Crying out in the night.

"I'm only a boy," you were shouting.

Hail, Nebuchadnezzar,

Babylon's new king!

You have defeated the Egyptians.

Now, there's nothing left
to oppose your power.

Now...

the world is mine.

Let's go get...

what the gods have given to Babylon.

To Jerusalem!

"For this commandment
I command thee this day,

it is not hidden from thee,

but the word is in thy mouth
and in thy heart.

If you shalt hearken unto
the voice of the Lord thy God,

thou will turn unto Him

with all thine heart,
and with all thy soul,

the Lord will again
rejoice over thee for good,

as He rejoiced over thy fathers."

As it was spoken,

so shall it be according
to the Word of the Lord,

found by our beloved King Josiah,

may he rest in peace.

Thank you, my lord.

- May God be with you, my lord.
- And with you, my boys.

Tonight begins the Lord's day.

The day after the Sabbath begins yours.

What do you mean, Father?

We go to Jerusalem.

I've arranged a great honor for you.

Come, your mother has prepared
a feast to celebrate the Sabbath.

- Join us, Ephraim.
- Thank you,

- but my family awaits me.
- What is this honor, Father?

You both helped me well in the past

in preparing the ritual offering.

In two days' time,

you will each perform your own.

You will have an opportunity
to put your priesthood into practice

for the first time at the altar
in the Temple at Jerusalem.

For whom will you be making this offering?

- The Lord.
- Of course!

I meant, on whose behalf?

Let that be a secret until tomorrow,

but it should be enough
to say it will not be

a sandalmaker or a shepherd.

You've been watching me again, haven't you?

No... I was-

It's proper to announce
yourself when making a visit.

But...

I wish I had half the boldness you have.

That's why we make such a good couple.

You can rely upon my boldness,

and I can rely upon your sweetness.

I'm going to perform
my first offering at the Temple.

In Jerusalem.

Come tell my father. He'll be so proud.

No, no, I promised my father
I'd be home before sunset...

But you had to see me, huh?

I had to see you.

- I'm late.
- Come back later.

And next time let me know
when you get here!

Blessed is the Lord,

who has sanctified the day of the Sabbath.

- To our Lord.
- And the King of Judah.

At least, King Josiah stood up
to the Egyptians at Meggido,

God rest his soul.

Now his son, Jehoiakim, lays down for them.

Babylon arms itself on one side,
and Egypt on the other.

Instead of taking action, we spend our time

glorifying the past without
consideration for the future.

We'll be crushed, again.
Judah must remain independent!

It is the Sabbath!

God rested on this day. Can we not as well?

Father...

I'd like to take a bride.

Oh...

Does this bride have a name?

Judith.

- So that's why you were late?
- Yes.

Judith comes from a fine family, my son.

You have my blessing, if you seek it.

Speak to Judith's father and seek his.

Then we can all celebrate.

Our son has an announcement to make.

Get out of the way, fool!

- Come.
- Why are the king's men here?

Shhh! I just want to hear
what they're saying.

I know that in two days' time

the king will give you his judgment.

But I want to give you a chance;

I will pay the debt in your place,

but I want your daughter in return.

I prefer slavery-a hundred times over!

Think about it, old man.

Slavery for you and your entire family?

Get out!

Let's see how proud you are

when you are cleaning
Ezer's floor with your tongue.

Get out!

How long has your father been in trouble?

I don't know.

We'll have to find some way to help him.

My father is a very
important man, you know?

Anyone who could arrange
for his son to perform great acts

for the finest people in Jerusalem
must be very important.

I'm sure the king
will be just in his judgment

and allow your father the time
he needs to pay back his debt.

There's no need to worry.

After the king has expressed his judgment,

I will help Judith's family pay their debt,

and I will marry her.
You have friends who can help?

Of course. We will contact
whoever is necessary.

Understand, my son,
that if, and I said "if,"

things do not turn out as we would hope

for Judith and her family,
according to the law,

debtors only have to serve seven years...

- Seven years!
- Seven years...

for those to whom they are in debt,
and then they shall go free.

You're not suggesting this will happen?

I leave it to the prophets
to foretell the future.

I can only say what is happening today.

And today my son must prepare himself

for the most important moment in his life,

his first sacrifice for the one
true God in Jerusalem.

Jeremiah.

Look carefully, Jeremiah.

What do you see?

I see an almond tree.

What is its season?

It is ready to sprout.

You have seen well.

As this tree is in a hurry to sprout,

so God is in a hurry to carry out His Word.

It is time for you to speak.

Stand and tell them
everything as I command.

Who are you?

It is time, Jeremiah.

No.

Leave me be.

I'm just a simple man.

It is time.

No.

No...

No!

We will remain in the city
until tomorrow, in the Temple.

Today it is Ephraim's turn.
Tomorrow it will be yours,

but I want you to observe
today's sacrifice,

so that tomorrow you'll be more prepared.

Are you going to tell us now,
what great people we'll serve?

All I can say is there will be people
of consequence at the Temple.

Spices for everybody!

I'm going to hear the king's judgment.

I want to make sure everything
goes well for Judith and her family.

I'll be waiting for you at the Temple.

My son, it's very important to me
that you be properly prepared

to offer the sacrifice tomorrow.

- Please don't be late.
- I understand, Father.

Prepare well, Ephraim. You'll need it.

I'll come with you.

God knows you need protection.

Don't worry, my lord.
We'll be back in time.

Everything will be all right.
Justice will be served.

Do you know that man next to the king?

It is Mattaniah, the king's brother. Quiet.

This is a time of great prosperity
for our people,

a prosperity that comes
as a consequence of the trust

between those engaged in any transaction,

a simple trust that
what is borrowed will be replaced.

When that trust is violated,

the prosperity of our people is threatened.

He who violates that trust
must be punished.

It is our judgment that Eliakim,
in refusing to pay his debt,

should surrender his property and rights,

and both Eliakim and his family
will henceforth serve

and be subject to the demands
of Ezer, his creditor.

- Justice as promised!
- Thank you.

Let him take the men.
Spare the girl, that I may have her.

Come now.

Come, Jeremiah, we must get to the Temple.

Yes, I'll meet you there.

First, I must speak with Judith's father.

Be strong, very strong.

- Do you have relatives here?
- Yes, my father's cousins.

They traveled from Bahurim
to show us their support.

You must flee. She must go
with them at once. Come.

I can't leave my father, my family.
They need my help, especially now.

Take Judith with you.

If you hurry, you can get her
out of Jerusalem now.

We have enough difficulties.
Please, Jeremiah...

The Laws of God
will protect you, God be willing.

They may not hold enough weight
in this world to protect Judith.

There are those who will seize
upon your misfortune

and turn it to their advantage-
with Judith as their prize.

- How do you know this?
- You must trust me.

Father...

Let's go.

Come, Judith.

I must fulfill my father's wishes
at the Temple.

I cannot let him down...

nor will I let you down.

We must go.

Come along!

Into the cart!

All right, all right!

Come on!

Offering for the Lord!

There will always be peace in Jerusalem,

and prosperity for Judah,

for God has chosen us as His people.

That is why we gather
at this Temple of the Lord...

Offering for the Lord!

...from every country,

a god for every purpose...

You have seen well, Jeremiah.
You have seen well,

for My people are foolish.

They are skilled in doing evil,

but how to do good they know not.

Behold, I have put My words in your mouth.

You will speak for Me, Jeremiah.

Where have you been? We were expecting you.

I know, Father, I'm sorry.

Ephraim was brokenhearted
you weren't here for his offering.

Ephraim was brokenhearted
because his offering

was not before the king.

Jeremiah!

He told me about the judgment.

I tried to prepare you for what to expect.

I have compassion
for Judith and her family,

but God will watch over them.

How can He watch over you
if you don't help?

Let's get started.

Son...

come.

It's your turn, Jeremiah.

They have grown fat and sleek.

They know no bounds in deeds of wickedness.

They judge not with justice
the cause of the fatherless,

to make it prosper,

and they do not defend
the rights of the needy.

Shall I not punish them for these things?

Jeremiah...

I put My words into your mouth.

What are you doing?

Father...

Jehoiakim...

Mattaniah...

all of you.

Hear the Word of the Lord!

Thus says the Lord of Hosts,

the God of Israel,

"Amend your ways and your doings

and I will let you dwell in this place.

Do not trust in these deceptive words:

'This is the Temple of the Lord,

the Temple of the Lord...

Temple of the Lord.'

For if you truly execute
justice one with another,

and if you do not oppress the alien,

or shed innocent blood in this place,

I will let you dwell in this place,

in the land I gave of old
to your fathers forever.

You trust in deceptive words to no avail.

Will you steal, murder...

commit adultery, swear falsely,

burn incense to Baal,

and go after other gods
that you have not known,

and then come and stand before Me,

in this house which is called by My name,

and say, 'We are delivered, '

only to go on committing
all these abominations?

Behold,

I Myself have seen it,"

says the Lord.

He has prophesied.

Hilkiah,

you spoke well of this boy...

but to us it looks like
he's beside himself with emotion.

You served us well, and you may return,

but I do not want to see
your son here again.

Understood?

You shall not speak
in the name of the Lord,

- or you will die.
- Father!

Do not blaspheme again.

Father...

Father?

Why didn't you help me?

Jeremiah!

I hear you made quite
an impression yesterday.

I guess I did.

I told you I should have been
the one serving the king.

It would have been wiser.

- You're leaving.
- Yes.

- What can I do?
- Look after my parents for me,

and keep your heart as open
as that scheming brain of yours.

Ephraim...

I'm hearing these voices,

having these dreams.

I think God himself

is calling me to say these things,

do these things.

When I was at the altar

in Jerusalem, in front of the king,

I felt this fire in me,
as if God Himself...

was speaking through me.

I don't know how else
these words could have come.

It doesn't matter.

Whatever has happened has led me to do

what you've urged me to do-

take Judith as my wife.

And for that,

I thank you, my friend.

Go with God.

Look carefully, Jeremiah.

What do you see?

An overturned pot.

In what direction?

From north to south.

Out of the north,

evil shall break forth upon
all the inhabitants of the land.

And I will utter My judgments
against all the cities of Judah,

for all their wickedness in forsaking Me.

Please, Lord, leave me be.

Say to them everything that I command you.

They shall fight against you,

but they shall not prevail against you,

for I am with you to deliver you.

Not me, Lord, not me!

I served you in Jerusalem.

Please, now I beg you,
let me go my own way.

You shall not take a wife,

nor shall you have sons or daughters.

What?

Why?

For all the children and the mothers

shall die a grievous death in this land,

because their fathers have not kept My law.

Lord, you cannot burden me with this!

Go-

and proclaim it
in the hearing of Jerusalem.

You cannot ask me to return to Jerusalem.

They will stone me.

The king will have me banished.

Give me a sign, Lord, please,

so they will believe me.

Do not make me do this alone!

Lord...

do not make me do this alone.

Jeremiah?

Jeremiah?

I'm Baruch,

a scribe at the Temple.

I heard you were going to Bahurim.
I had to find you.

I heard you speak.

Those words were not your own.

No one can speak like that
unless they're inspired by God.

You are a prophet
and I want to stay with you.

I'm tired of the hypocrisy in Jerusalem.

It will be a hard life, Baruch.

The Lord has ordered me back to Jerusalem.

- To risk your life?
- To proclaim His Word.

If we can get the king and
the whole house of Judah to listen,

He will forgive them.

Come.

What have you brought?

- My scrolls.
- Let's write God's words.

You'll read them
in the Temple in Jerusalem.

This saith the Lord:
"Execute ye judgment...

and righteousness,

and deliver the spoils out
of the hand of the oppressor.

And do no wrong,
do no violence to the stranger,

the fatherless, the widow,

neither shed innocent blood in this place.

For if you do this thing indeed,

then shall there enter in
by the gates of this house

kings sitting upon the throne of David.

But if you will not hear these words,

I swear by Myself," saith the Lord,

"that the King of Babylon shall come

and he shall destroy this country..."

This is an outrage!

We must speak to the king.

What is your name?

Baruch.

Jeremiah dictated these words
to you, didn't he?

Yes.

Baruch, we believe that God
has spoken to Jeremiah.

We want you to give us this scroll

so that we may read it to the king,

and convince him Jeremiah speaks the truth.

But you must understand,

if we fail, there are those
who will want Jeremiah killed.

And maybe you, too.

He said the King of Babylon
will come and destroy us?

He said this would come to pass
only if we didn't mend our ways

in the eyes of the Lord.

Let me see this document he was reading.

Do you realize what he said?

"The King of Babylon
shall destroy this country!"

That's treason!

As long as the Egyptians protect us,

it'll be very difficult for that to happen.

Brother...

with the Babylonians threatening,
our people need to be reminded

of their strengths, not their weaknesses.

And Hilkiah's son, this Jeremiah,

claims to speak for the Lord? A prophet?

My lord-!

We must go.

They didn't listen.

The king burned the scroll.

We must try again.

Do you know what that would mean?

The Lord said He's with me, with us.

He will deliver us.

How can you be sure?

I have prophesied!

The Babylonians are here,
just as the Lord had said.

We must find a safe haven
until we've written a new scroll.

Then we can continue the work of the Lord.

It may be too late for the king,
but not for Jerusalem. Come!

Father...

Say your prayers at your uncle's bedside.

- Go comfort your cousin.
- Yes, Father.

The people of Judah need your help.

Jehoiakim is far too ill
to deal with the Babylonians.

Do you think the people
would have me as their king?

If not you, who?

Jehoiachin, your brother's son?

Nebuchadnezzar might just as well
proclaim himself as King of Judah.

My brother was born to be king.

I never thought he would go so soon.

It is a man's willingness
to answer God's calling

that tests the man.

I will send an embassy of submission
to King Nebuchadnezzar.

And you must persuade
your brother's son to turn himself in,

along with his mother
and all those of his family...

to save the city.

The Babylonians will deport them!

And they will surely proclaim you
as the new King of Judah.

Only after the old one's spirit departs us.

I'm sorry to hear
about your father's death,

but you have been wise
to turn yourself over to me.

You will benefit from this.

You will be my lifelong guest
at the court in Babylon.

Now, Mattaniah...

I thank you for your gifts,

and for the service you've done me.

You...

are the new King of Judah.

Your name will be...

Zedekiah.

Of course, to maintain our favor,

my ministers will determine
the gold tribute

we will expect as an expression
of your friendship...

each year.

One more thing...

I will take Jehoiakim's ministers
with me to Babylon,

together with many
of the authorities of Jerusalem,

with the exception of those you choose

to help you govern the city.

In exchange for that service,

we will expect another sign...
of friendship.

You have acted wisely, my king.

Peace has been restored
to the kingdom of Judah.

And the Babylonians
did not destroy our city.

Exactly.

See, you don't have to listen
to those madmen

that think of themselves as prophets.

- It's time to return to Jerusalem.
- Perhaps the new king will listen.

King Zedekiah should feel secure now,

it should be safe for us to go.

- I will go alone.
- But why?

Because it is my turn to take the risk,

and I don't want both of us to suffer
the same fate at the same time.

King, the tribute to Babylon is madness!

Our only hope,

the only hope for your people
is with Egypt!

No! My lord...

Don't you realize Egypt is finished?

The whole world is in the hands
of the King of Babylon.

I think we should send ambassadors

to beg for mercy,
and to reduce the tribute.

Forget the tribute, my lord.

If you want to be free,
you must join with Egypt.

Nebuchadnezzar is far away again.
He will not ask for tribute.

He will accept some territory,
where he can put up a garrison.

I...

think we will cease
paying tribute to Babylon.

We can take advantage of the fact
Babylon thinks we're its ally.

Tomorrow I will send
an ambassador to the pharaoh

to sound out whether they would help us.

So now you're a party with Egypt!

Well, we have to see if it's less risky

to trust Egypt or Babylon.

If you want to be free...

never mind about Egypt or Babylon;

turn to God!

Who are you?

It is Hilkiah's son.

Oh.

So you are the false prophet
I've been hearing about.

My name is Jeremiah.

And I speak only the truth
as God shows it to me.

God demands you make a fool
of yourself in front of this court?

To show that you must accept
the supremacy of Babylon,

or Jerusalem will be destroyed.

The yoke of slavery is upon you,

and you must concede.

I could kill you where you stand
for this message of treason.

Thus says the Lord:

"For lo,

I am calling all the tribes
of the kingdoms of the north,

and I will utter My judgments
against all the cities of Judah,

for all their wickedness in forsaking Me."

The army of Babylon approaches
to carry out God's plan.

Your army stands ready, my king.

Egypt is strong again
and will join our battle.

If you would turn to God
instead of your generals,

you would hear Him say:
"Deceive not yourselves.

Pharaoh's army,
which has come forth to help you,

shall return to Egypt.

And Babylon shall come again,
and fight against this city,

- and take it, and burn it."
- That's blasphemy!

God has turned His face against this city!

And He shall destroy it
with fire unless you repent!

I am Hananiah!

The Lord says:

"This is how I will break
the yoke of Babylon."

Thus says the Lord God of Israel:

"This is how I will break

the yoke of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon

from the neck of all nations,

within two years."

God has spoken through His prophet-

Hananiah!

The Lord has not sent you!

You have broken wooden bars...

only to forge iron bars in place of them.

You have made this people trust in a lie.

Within a year, you will be dead.

He has blasphemed! Blasphemer!

And you...

you will be a slave in Babylon.

Seize him!

Thus says the Lord:

"Behold,

I am bringing on Judah...

and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem

all the evil I have pronounced
against them,

because I've spoken to them
and they have not listened.

I have called to them,

and they have not answered."

You are a fool...

a fool.

Babylonians! Babylonians!

The Babylonian army is returning!

Babylonians!

The army of Babylon is returning!

Your prophesy was true.

The Babylonians are coming.

How far away is the Babylonian army?

- About five days away.
- There's no time to waste.

Spread the word.

When their army arrives,

everyone must go out and surrender to them.

It is God's will. Surrender to Him,

and their lives will be saved.

What can I do for you, Jeremiah?

Be careful.

It appears our pleas fall
on deaf ears and hardened hearts.

A hardened heart can become
a dangerous weapon.

He said it would come to pass, and it has.

The Egyptians are mounting a counterattack

that will deter the Babylonians.

But Jeremiah's words inflame
the people with false concerns.

All of what you say is based on your belief

that Jeremiah is a false prophet.

But if you are wrong...

Why would God send
a prophet from the wilderness

when you are surrounded
by schooled priests?

Why would He destroy His own people?

Why would He accuse you of injustices?

Elishama,

you believe this man, do you not?

I remain unsure, Your Majesty,

but there's a growing number
of citizens who...

don't share my doubts.

My king...

but you must not fight the Babylonians.

It is Jeremiah's prophecy.
You must lay down your swords,

you must open your hearts to Babylon,

for only by surrender
can we implement God's will.

If God finds my rule unjust,

then I must act to beg His mercy.

I am declaring all of the slaves of Israel

free as of this moment.

Your Majesty is making a grave mistake.

Many people depend upon the slaves...

I did not ask for your opinion,
General Shapan!

It shall be done,
and it shall be done immediately!

If the army of Babylon arrives,

God shall find an Israel without slaves.

Do you understand?

He finally makes a decision,
and this is the decision he makes.

A guard reports the king
freed Jeremiah this morning.

- What?
- He's shaken the king's confidence.

Imagine what he could do to our country.

That prophet does not work for-for God...

he works for Babylon.

- Jeremiah!
- Shhh!

The king has freed the slaves.

You're free to return
to your family, your home.

But what prompted this change of heart?

That is between God and the king.

There are those who would say
it's because of your preaching.

You see? Your words have even
reached us here in Bahurim.

We will leave tomorrow,
first thing in the morning.

I'm afraid...

I'm afraid I can't go with you.

Why?

I don't mean to doubt
your concerns in any way, but...

if you go to the king, and tell him
your mission is fulfilled...

It is God I serve, not the king.

Jeremiah, you have implemented God's will,

the king has freed the slaves.

Surely, this must make a difference.

All of Judah will celebrate,

and those who seek you harm
now will have no cause to do so.

We can still have a life together.

We've got so much to give to each other.

No! No!

No!

No!

- How did you?
- Shhh. Rest, rest.

My cousin was able to arrange this.

You must go.

Look, I've brought you something to eat.

- I will stay with you.
- No.

You must get your family out of Jerusalem.

The king's pride will incite
the Babylonians.

God is working through them
to destroy the city.

But why would He do such a thing?

He has to tear it down before
He can build it up once again.

Go. Gather your family.

Start your life over.

God will be with you,
and He will bless you.

I can't leave you. I love you, Jeremiah.

And I love you, too.

But God has taught me we cannot always have

what we desire in this world.

Why God has shown me your love,
and not allowed me to have it,

I don't know... but I know it is His will.

I can't go. I will stay.

- You must go.
- I'll stay.

Seize her.

Why?

The king has come to his senses.

He's reversed his decision about slavery.

Because Babylon's turned back?
They will return.

Do not interfere, Jeremiah.

The king has served his God,

now he has to serve his people.

He has always shown a particular
interest in the daughter of Eliakim.

I think he'll be glad when he hears

you have been kind enough
to bring her to him.

- No! Let her go!
- Stop him!

- Go back!
- Judith!

No!

Aaargh!

No-

no...

No, no!

Come.

No!

No!

No!

No!

No! No!

Guard!

Guard!

Guard!

Oh, Lord...

thou hast deceived me!

Thou art stronger than I,
and has prevailed!

I will not make mention of You,

or speak any more in Your name.

Where are your Egyptians now?

We have three or four months,

perhaps as much as a year.

It will give us time
to appeal to the pharaoh.

"The great Nebuchadnezzar will
be satisfied with some territory

where they can put up a garrison"?

My lord?

Drink.

My lord...

Who is there?

I must ask you...

if you have any word from the Lord.

Speak!

Don't test my patience.

What have I done to offend you...

that would cause you to put me in prison?

You said things that caused rancor
among my people.

I spoke the truth.

Where are your prophets now...

who said Babylon will not come
against you or this land?

I have not called you here to condemn me.

I have called you here
to speak to me of God's will.

I have nothing further to say.

What?!

You...

who predicted the Egyptians
would turn back, and they did?

You... who predicted the death of Hananiah

after he smashed the yoke from your neck,

and who died within a year,
just as you said?

You...

who prophesied the Babylonian
army would attack,

and lay siege to our city as they have

for the last two years?

You...

the "great prophet,"

have nothing further to say?

You had an opportunity
to please the Lord...

But you didn't have the courage

to stand by what you knew to be true.

What?!

Oh, forgive me, O Lord.

Is that all you have left?

The ability to grovel
at the feet of your king?

If you want answers,

turn to God.

Guard!

Take this... man,

this "prophet" out of my sight.

Go, leave!

Thus saith the Lord,

"I will give this city into the hand
of Nebuchadnezzar,

King of Babylon, and he shall take it.

And the Babylonians
shall set fire to this place,

for the children of Israel
have turned unto Me their back."

- This man must die.
- No!

He is a prophet, my lord.

He is a traitor, my lord. Traitors die.

Is there nothing else to talk about
other than this prophet?

What about the defense of Jerusalem?

This concerns the defense
of our city, Lord King.

He depresses the soldiers
left within the city walls.

More desert every night.

There was a time when I valued
your counsel, General Shapan.

And now, my lord?

Who will you choose
to hold off the Babylonians

who threaten our city from without?

Discontent amongst our people from within.

Do not give the people...

any cause to act foolishly, my lord.

"And I will gather them...

out of all the countries whither
I have driven them in Mine anger,

and I will bring them
again into this place,

and I will cause them to dwell safely."

Make way, make way!

You, come with me.

"And I will make an everlasting covenant,

and they shall be My people."

Speak this treason no more!

Thus saith the Lord:

"Behold, I will make thee a terror
to thyself and to all thy friends,

and they shall die
by the sword of their enemies

and thine eyes shall behold it."

God has promised that
you shall keep your life

if you go out to the Babylonians.

It is not treason
to follow the will of God!

It is sin not to!

Obey your God now!

Anyone else found
attempting to surrender...

will be killed.

Preach what you want down there...

"prophet."

Your Majesty?

- Yes, what is it?
- It's about the prophet Jeremiah.

What?

Even here?

Who are you?

I'm Ebed-Melech,
a lowly eunuch, Your Majesty.

"Ebed-Melech" means "servant to the king."

I serve you gladly, my lord.

You're one of the few who do.

What do you know of Jeremiah?

I followed the General and his men.

They lowered Jeremiah into the cistern.

He will die there.

Good.

If he dies, the wrath of God
will come upon us.

Has it not already?!

I could have you beheaded, yet you persist.

Why?

How is it that you, my eunuch,

hear the voice of God
to confirm your faith in this man,

while I, King of Judah,

implore the Lord for a sign-

one word-

yet hear nothing?

Pull him up.

Have him taken to the court of the guard.

And tell no one of this conversation...

or you will die.

Jeremiah,

are you all right?

Yes.

I need to ask you for one more favor.

I have granted you this audience,
but it will be your last.

What is of such importance
that you risk your life to see me?

Obey, I beseech thee, the voice
of the Lord which I speak unto thee

and your life will be saved.

And the city will not be burned.

So now you're speaking for the Lord again.

Well, never mind, our armies are prepared.

How can you continue to lie

to yourself as well as your people?

Truth is in the eye of the beholder.

The Word of the Lord which
I speak to thee is the truth.

The Word of the Lord which
you asked me to seek is silence!

If God has something to say to me,

why does He send you to tell me?

Why would the Lord speak to you...

unless you've committed your life to Him?

I have.

Then instead of erecting
monuments to false gods,

make your life a living monument
to the Word of God.

It is as my people desire.

You are king!
They look to you for leadership.

Your pursuit of your own pleasure,
wealth and power

have taught the people
to trust in false gods.

You have lead them to believe

that the one true God is not enough!

You have destroyed
the kingdom God has promised!

It is you who have scattered God's flock!

You have not attended to them,

so God will attend to you for your evil.

Save me, Jeremiah!

I cannot.

God will if you surrender to Babylon.

My people will turn on me if I do.

- They'll kill me.
- No, that will not happen.

You will live...

but as a slave.

I will never live as a slave.

You are a slave even now.

- Take him back to his cell.
- Yes, my lord.

Come.

See that he's not harmed!

It is time, my friend,

to prepare for the end of our work...

and a new beginning.

Jeremiah, you called for us?

I wish...

for you to witness a business transaction.

The city is under siege and starving,

and you're making business transactions?

This is Hanamel, my cousin.

I...

I had a dream-

God told me to say,

"Buy My field that is at Anathoth.

Buy it for yourself, Jeremiah."

You preach that the city
is about to fall and yet

you buy land as if nothing is happening?

Thus saith the Lord:

"I will gather the remnant of My flock

out of all the countries
whither I have driven them,

and behold,

I will make a new covenant
with the house of Israel.

But this one,
I shall write in their hearts,

and I shall be their God,

and they shall be My people."

My lord, the walls have
been breached. We must flee.

Bring my sons.

Thank you, Father.

- Go.
- Thank you.

Come! Come! My sons!

Wait, my lord!

Surround the king! Surround the king!

Lay down your arms!

You do not bow to your conqueror?

We bow only for the one true God.

Your God put you here!

So...

in order to please your God...

for I do not wish to anger any god,

no matter how minor,

I sentence you to death.

I'm sure that's what your God wants.

Do you have any final words?

You have to speak up.
We do things quickly here.

I understand there has been
a prophet in your country...

who told you this would come to pass.

Jeremiah.

Jeremiah, yes! That's the one.

What did he say of your future?

He said I would not die by your hand.

He did?

Well, we must keep your life, then.

Mustn't we?

And who are those handsome young men...

who tried to escape with you?

My sons.

No!

This is the last thing you will ever see.

Alive...

as your God told you.

Aaaargh!

Nebuchadnezzar! Nebuchadnezzar!

Guards!

Guards! Guards! Guards!

Help!

Come!

Are you Jeremiah?

Yes.

I am Nebuzaradan,
Captain of the Guard of Babylon.

How do you know me?

Every Babylonian soldier knows of Jeremiah.

My king, Nebuchadnezzar,
has commanded me to set you free.

Free?

The Temple shall be rebuilt...

and next time
it shall also be built in the hearts of men