The chapter opens with a direct message from God to Jeremiah regarding King Zedekiah. God warns of the impending capture of Jerusalem by the Babylonians. This conveys a sense of urgency and forewarning, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation (Jeremiah 34:1-7).
God instructs the people to free their Hebrew slaves, and they initially obey. However, they soon go back on their word and re-enslave those they had freed. This evokes feelings of betrayal, disappointment, and the fickleness of human promises (Jeremiah 34:8-11).
God expresses His anger at the people for breaking their covenant and announces the severe consequences they will face, including sword, pestilence, and famine. This section conveys divine anger, judgment, and the seriousness of breaking covenants (Jeremiah 34:12-22).