New Light on the Age of Jeremiah - Lester L Grabbe - May 1976

Lester L Grabbe

The army of the king of Babylon was fighting against Jerusalem and against all the remaining cities of Judah, Lachish and Azeqah. For only these remained unconquered of the fortified cities of Judah." This record in Jeremiah 34:7 is likely to be passed over by the casual reader. Yet that verse suddenly took on new significance when the ancient city of Lachish was excavated. Among the rubble of centuries appeared letters from the time of Jeremiah the prophet. One of these letters, when translated, contained the following statement: "Let it be known that we are watching the fire signals of Lachish according to all the signs which my lord gave. But we do not see those of Azeqah" (all translations are the author's). A number of scholars related this statement to the last stand of Judah, speculating that Azeqah had already fallen to the Babylonians. This would explain why the fire signals were no longer visible. Too little information is preserved to know for certain. - Information Supplied By: Herbert W Armstrong Library