From the first, Jeremiah had followed a consistent course in counseling submission to the Babylonians. This counsel was given not only to Judah, but to many of the surrounding 443 nations. In the earlier portion of Zedekiah's reign, ambassadors from the rulers of Edom, Moab, Tyre, and other nations visited the king of Judah to learn whether in his judgment the time was opportune for a united revolt and whether he would join them in battling against the king of Babylon. While these ambassadors were awaiting a response, the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah, saying, "Make thee bonds and yokes, and put them upon thy neck, and send them to the king of Edom, and to the king of Moab, and to the king of the Ammonites, and to the king of Tyrus, and to the king of Zidon, by the hand of the messengers which come to Jerusalem unto Zedekiah king of Judah." Jeremiah 27:2,3.

Jeremias havde fra første færd konsekvent rådet til, at folket skulle underkaste sig babylonerne. Dette var ikke blot hans råd til Juda, men også til mange af nabofolkene. I begyndelsen af Zedekias regeringstid blev Judas konge opsøgt af udsendinge fra Edom, Moab, Tyrus og andre lande, som ønskede at forhøre sig, om han mente, at tiden var inde til et forenet oprør, og om han ville slutte sig til dem i kampen mod Babylons konge. Mens disse udsendinge ventede på svar, kom Herrens ord til Jeremias således: "Gør dig reb og ågstænger og læg dem på din hals og send Edoms, Moabs, ammonitternes, Tyrus og Zidons konger bud ved deres sendemænd, som er kommet til kong Zedekias af Juda i Jerusalem." Jer. 27,2-3.