Jeremiah was standing in the court of the Lord’s house. The Lord instructed him to say to all the people, “’This is what the Lord says: If you do not listen to Me and follow my law, which I have set before you, and if you do not listen to the words of My servants the prophets, whom I have sent to you again and again (though you have not listened), then I will make this house like Shiloh and this city a curse among all the nations of the earth.’" [1]
Jeremiah announced an ultimatum from God to his people.
…As soon as Jeremiah finished telling all the people everything the Lord had commanded him to say, the priests, the prophets and all the people seized him and said, ‘You must die!’ [2]
Jeremiah did not get an honorarium for his message. His religious peers grabbed him and told him that he must die. He spoke the truth. His reward was condemnation from his fellow priests and prophets.
“Then Jeremiah said to all the officials and all the people: ‘The Lord sent me to prophesy against this house and this city all the things you have heard. Now reform your ways and your actions and obey the Lord your God. Then the Lord will relent and not bring the disaster he has pronounced against you.” [3]
Jeremiah did not change his tune. He pressed them to change their ways to avoid the disaster that God had pronounced upon them.
“As for me, I am in your hands; do with me whatever you think is good and right. Be assured, however, that if you put me to death, you will bring the guilt of innocent blood on yourselves and on this city and on those who live in it, for in truth the Lord has sent me to you to speak all these words in your hearing.’” [4]
Jeremiah warned his peers that if they killed him, that they would have to face God for it. By the grace of God, government officials intervened and stopped the false priests and prophets from carrying out their assassination plans against him.
“Then the officials and all the people said to the priests and the prophets, ‘This man should not be sentenced to death! He has spoken to us in the name of the Lord our God.’” [5] Two fellow priests also stood up for Jeremiah, “Furthermore, Ahikam son of Shaphan supported Jeremiah, and so he was not handed over to the people to be put to death.” [6]
[1] Jeremiah 26:4-6
[2] Jeremiah 26:8
[3] Jeremiah 26:12-13
[4] Jeremiah 26:14-15
[5] Jeremiah 26:16
[6] Jeremiah 26:24
No comments:
Post a Comment