Jeremiah 26
-In the beginning of the reign of
Jehoiakim, when there apparently was still time for repentance, the LORD sent Jeremiah,
His prophet, to the court of the Temple (The LORD’s House) with an important
message that no word was to omitted (Jeremiah 26:1-2). God told His servant
that there was a chance they would listen and turn, which would allow Him to
repent (relent, take pity, change His mind, to be sorry, grieve) of the
calamity, which He was planning to do to them because of their evil deeds
(Jeremiah 26:3). This gives us a clear glimpse into the true heart of God,
which is total compassion when people align with His righteous ways. On the
flip side, His promise is to make them like Shiloh if they would not listen to
His message as to walk in His law, which He set before them by the mouth of the
prophets again and again (Jeremiah 26:4-6). Shiloh was where the tabernacle had
been originally set up after the conquest of the Promised Land (Joshua 18:1).
It was destroyed in approximately 1050 B.C. by the Philistines. This reality
helps us make sense to the intense reaction by the priests and prophets to
Jeremiah’s message in the next section. *Application* God is continually giving
us chances to come into Divine alignment with Him and His purposes. Don’t
reject the opportunities God has set before you to live a righteous life by the
Holy Spirit He puts in you when you receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and
Savior. He makes an offer you should never refuse, but you do have a choice in
the matter. Meditate on the consequences of destruction if you deny Christ and
then be wise in accepting Him.
-The priests, prophets, and all the
people seized Jeremiah upon hearing this threatening message given from God. He
was in serious danger of being killed at this point as we see in the text.
Jeremiah boldly defends his position as being directly from the LORD, every
word of it. He reiterates they should amend their ways, their deeds, and obey
the Voice of the LORD their God so that He would change His mind about their
misfortune, which He pronounced (Jeremiah 26:7-13). The prophet tells them that
indeed he is in their hands and they can do with him as they desire. But he
warned, “Only know for certain that if you put me to death, you will bring
innocent blood on yourselves, and on this city and on its inhabitants; for
truly the LORD has sent me to you to speak all these words in your hearing
(Jeremiah 26:15).” This word gave the officials a pause, and they relented in
his death sentence. Some of the elders, at this point, arose and remembered
Micah’s prophecy (Micah 3:12) and the LORD’s relenting at that time to spare
them (Jeremiah 26:17-19). Also, the incident of Uriah was recounted, who was
tracked down and murdered by King Jehoiakim after fleeing to Egypt for
delivering a harsh word from the LORD (Jeremiah 26:20-23). Sanity prevailed
with regard to Jeremiah’s life primarily through a man by the name of Ahikam,
and he was not given into the hands of the people who wanted to put him to
death (Jeremiah 26:24). *Application* What if God asks you to do something that
you know will bring ridicule, disfavor, and persecution? Obedience is better
than sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22). Do what God commands you to do and leave the
consequences to Him like Jeremiah did. There may not be repentance from the
people, just as we see in this historical narrative, but be a faithful servant of
God in giving His warning of pending judgment if, and only if, the LORD speaks
clearly to you on a matter.
Verse to Memorize: Jeremiah 26:13
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