Jeremiah 27:12-22
Jeremiah then speaks first to the king of Judah, then to the priests. Nebuchadnezzar had already taken away in two stages some of the vessels from the temple. Far from returning them, he organises a third and final looting when Zedekiah and the remainder of his people are taken away (2 Chronicles 36:7; 2 Chronicles 36:10; 2 Chronicles 36:18). It may be thought that these objects were held dear in the hearts of the people more out of national pride than as a means of offering worship to the LORD. It is no different today. Many people are very fond of the forms of a so-called Christian religion, whilst caring very little about serving God when observing them.
Jeremiah never stops preaching about submitting to the authority which the LORD has established, in this case that of the king of Babylon. "For there is no power but of God . . . whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God" (Romans 13:1-2). Whether it be those in Government, magistrates, parents or bosses (even if they are hard and unfair: 1 Peter 2:18), this message still applies to us today.
The prophecy in this chapter does not end without God announcing that one day He will personally take charge of the vessels of the temple and bring them back. This is accomplished in Ezra 1:7; Ezra 7:19.