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The Prophet Threatened

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Jeremiah 26:1 - 28:17

In the New Testament a member of the Sanhedrin court named Gamaliel came to the rescue of some of the apostles after their arrest by religious authorities. They were guilty of defying a court command not to speak about Jesus. The court leaders wanted them executed, but Gamaliel stepped in, telling the Jews that if the apostles' message was not of God, it would fail, but if it was of God, killing the prisoners would make the court guilty of fighting against God (Acts 5:33-39). The apostles were freed.

In today's reading we see a similar plight for Jeremiah. The religious leaders wanted to have him killed for two "crimes": speaking doom for Jerusalem, and claiming to speak for God. They still refused to believe God would allow Jerusalem's destruction. Some present, who believed Jeremiah, countered that he should not be killed. They pointed to Hezekiah's actions after being warned by the prophet Micah, and how God had relented.

Beginning in verse 20 and through 23, however, Jeremiah or his scribe insert another story to explain that the kings had not always reacted properly regarding God's prophets.

Chapter 27 explains that Babylon is God's tool of punishment against the sin-filled rebellion of the entire area. Fighting Babylon was futile because this was fighting God. Judah and the other nations should go into captivity peacefully, avoiding certain death and destruction at Babylon's hand.

Chapter 28 takes place early in the reign of Zedekiah (about 597 B.C.), after his nephew, King Jehoiachin, and others had been taken to Babylon.

The immediate scene is the temple where Jeremiah is speaking or performing priestly duties. The false prophet, Hananiah, interrupts the proceedings and challenges Jeremiah, arrogantly proclaiming that in two years Babylon would be gone and the king and temple treasure restored. Actually, Babylon's most crushing defeat of Judah would come in a decade, but the people surely loved to hear that Jeremiah was wrong, and that restored peace and power were just around the corner. Jeremiah, acting by faith, took the attack calmly and waited for God's instructive word. It came and Hananiah was dead within a year.

Next time: Jeremiah's Letter

Babylon Closes In

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Jeremiah 24:1 - 25:38

A little background gleaned from John Bright's "A History of Israel": This vision concerns Jehoiakim, son of Josiah. Jehoiakim unwillingly submitted Judah as a vassal of Babylon around 603 B.C. Later, Babylon marched to the south of Judah to attack Egypt, but apparently the battle was a draw. That encouraged Jehoiakim to attempt to pull away from Babylon's control.

Babylon was busy warring elsewhere and let Jehoiakim enjoy his "success" for about five years. Then Babylon showed up at the door. Bright thinks that the king was assassinated by his own supporters hoping to escape punishment from Babylon. Three months after the king's son, Jehoiachin, took power, Nebuchadnezzar entered Jerusalem and deported to Babylon most of the royal family along with court officials and other leaders (10,000 in number plus the wealth of the temple—2 Kings 24:13-14). Only Zedekiah, Jehoiachin's uncle, was left. Babylon installed him as the Judean king. But Zedekiah (who was never accepted by Judah or Babylon) and his surviving officials still rejected Jeremiah's instruction, still not believing that God would really let Jerusalem fall. They still ridiculed the prophets and plotted treason against Babylon, developing political alliances and depending on false gods.

True to God's prophecy, Babylon treated King Jehoiachin well, even giving him a royal pension. The Babylonian records list his title as "King of Judah."

As chapter 25 begins Jeremiah says that he has been prophesying for twenty-three years, without any positive response from the people (vs.3).

In verse 9, Nebuchadnezzar does not believe himself a servant of God, nor does he acknowledge God. However, God is in control of every nation and leader—they could do nothing that did not somehow fit into God's plan.

Beginning in verse 15 Jeremiah describes a vision. The vision was a comfort of sorts to the people of Jerusalem (those who listened). Yes, they would suffer for their sins, but the Lord would not let His enemies triumph forever. This Judgment was sure for the nations around Judah, and for all nations in all the earth. This is a prophecy from God that no evil will triumph forever. Evil will fail.

Next time: The Prophet Threatened

The Last Kings

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Jeremiah 22:1 – 23:40

The events in the books of the prophets are not in perfect chronological order. The kings listed in chapter 22 reigned before Zedekiah, who was placed on the throne by Babylon. He was the uncle of King Jehoiachin. (Link to a List of all the kings of Judah, highlights of their reigns, where their stories are found.) Shallum (Jehoahaz), son of Josiah the reformer, was carried off by Pharaoh Necco who had killed his father (vs.11). Jehoiakim was made puppet-king by Egypt and killed by his own people (vs.19), perhaps to placate Babylon which was approaching the city in 598 B.C. And the deterioration of Judah's kings continued.

Jeremiah's warnings were ignored in his own time, but as the exile progressed and freedom neared they would serve the people as reminders of God's purpose and love and their call to obedience.

Chapter 23 begins with another accusation of corrupt leadership.

Then Jeremiah delivers a prophecy that came to pass in Christ (verses 5 and 6). The next "King of the Jews" would be from David's descendants. Both Mary and Joseph were descended from David. The King would be "the Lord Our Righteousness" indicating His being and authority.

The rest of chapter 23 is a lengthy denunciation of the many false prophets of the time. Today there are still many who falsely define Jesus and His Father; who attribute false ideas while claiming that they are supported in God's word. There is one way to know them for what they are—know God's word, not only in its detail, but in its whole message of Jesus' love, grace, death and resurrection for our salvation, and His call to us to be His servants in the world.

While reading the prophets, one rule of thumb helps determine who is speaking. This can be difficult, since at times it seems that the verses are jumbled together. However, the writers had purpose in what they said and in what order they set it down. Anyway, watch for phrases like, "Thus says the Lord" or "The Lord said to me" or "This is what the Lord says" in order to keep the prayers of the prophet distinct from God's directives.    

Next time: Babylon Closes In

Pashhur

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Jeremiah 20:1 – 21:14

Chapter 20 begins with Jeremiah being beaten for prophesying punishment for Jerusalem (probably made to lie down and receive 40 lashes) and placed in stocks for public view. When released, he turned to Pashhur who had ordered his beating and humiliation and gave him the same message, only personalized. The prophets of God were gifted with courage by the Holy Spirit. Many of them were killed. Mourning over Jerusalem, Jesus cited the city's history of even killing God's prophets (Luke 13:34).

Surely any person called by God to be a messenger hopes that God will guarantee that all will go well; that the Holy Spirit will prepare hearts to hear; that the message will not be rejected.

Jeremiah was discouraged because everyone had rejected him and his continual drone of doom. Why give the message if no one would listen? Why did God put him in such a position? In verses 11-13 Jeremiah says what he knows in his mind and in his faith, but in verses 14-18 he expresses what he feels emotionally. We all have times in our lives when we know in our minds and through our faith that God is in control, but our emotions push and strain to make their fears known. Because we are humans with a sin nature we constantly struggle between faith and doubt. We are like the man who said to Jesus, "Lord, I do believe. Help me overcome my unbelief" (Mark 9:24).

In chapter 21 King Zedekiah sends messengers to Jeremiah, hoping that he will tell them that God will deliver the city from Babylon—now in the midst of besieging Jerusalem. "Pashhur" (vs.1) is not the same priest who attacked Jeremiah in chapter 20. God's answer to the messengers is that the only way to escape death is to go out and surrender to the enemy.

The events in this chapter occurred during the reign of the last king of Judah. Babylon had already deported many leaders to the city of Babylon and less than two years remained until the final destruction of Jerusalem.

Next time: The Last Kings

The Potter

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Jeremiah 18:1 - 19:15

Again God speaks, through the story of a potter and his clay creations (see also Romans 9:21). God is the Creator. They (and we) are His creation. God is not unpredictable; He makes His will known. His demand for obedience is not heartless, but the people are defiant, running toward destruction.

Through His prophets God frequently said that nations would look upon Jerusalem's destruction shaking their heads (verse 16). Even unbelieving nations would recognize the faithlessness of Judah and Israel toward their God.

Some historians say Judah's last years were suicidal. The days of David and Solomon and the glory of Jerusalem were over, yet the people persistently rebelled against her masters, Assyria, Babylon, and especially against God. It was their rebellion against Him that allowed their enemies to win. Neither Judah nor Israel would have been great without God. It was He who rescued them from slavery in Egypt; it was He who delivered the land of promise; it was He who defeated His enemies to clear the way for His people. When their pride displaced God in their hearts, when they changed their allegiance to idols and political alliances, they were doomed.

Beginning in verse 18, Jeremiah really loses it (to use a phrase from today).

The site of chapter 19 is just outside of the city gates. It was here that broken and ruined pots were thrown. It was also where children were sacrificed to the god Moloch.

There is a contrast between this visual message and that at the potter's shed. When Jeremiah cast his pot into the pile of trash and scene of sacrifice, it was too late to repent.

Next time: Pashhur

But Restoration will Come

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Jeremiah 16:14 - 17:27    

How many of us would restore a people who had treated us as Israel treated God? Actually, there is a situation in which we would do so. How many parents would not restore their relationship to a rebellious child if they had the opportunity and the ability? Perhaps that thought helps us understand God's love for His people a little better. Lest they take His promise as a relenting of punishment, God restates that Israel's enemies will pull them from their hiding places as hunters and fishermen take their game.

Verse 5 of chapter 15 is a contemporary thought. How many in the world count on themselves or on their leaders, or their governments for strength and hope? How many of these have never turned to God for strength, or allow other so-called givers of strength to supplant their God?

On the other hand, the one who trusts in God for strength (vs.7) will not fear, because he has the assurance that God is in control of his destiny and the destiny of the world.    

Later in the chapter Jeremiah quotes his detractors (verse 15). They taunt him, challenging God to do His worst. The prophet again asks God to grant him the protection and strength to go on. What else could he do? Jeremiah knew what God was about to do. God Himself had called him to go to an unyielding people with a message He knew they would not accept. Again God sends him to stand in the gate of Jerusalem to proclaim the truth.

Not honoring the Sabbath (vs.21) was not the problem with Israel, but a symptom of the problem. They had no honor for God or His Law. It is as though they had decided that He was as unable to act as any idol that they had fallen on their knees to worship. This God, however, was real and was about to prove it.

Next time: The Potter

“Let Me Make This Clear”

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Jeremiah 15:1 – 16:13    

The first verses of chapter 15 finish God's thought from chapter 14. Judah had reached the point of no return. Her sin was too great; too persistent; and without repentance. Even when they voiced repentance, it was not from the heart. The only love in Judah was for money, power, and self.

Verse 6 continues, "You have rejected me," declares the Lord. "You keep on backsliding. So I….can no longer show compassion….". In verse 10 we sense Jeremiah's sadness and frustration. Many Christians have had similar feelings when witnessing to family members. They share Christ again and again, only to hear laughter or "I'm glad that's meaningful for you but …."

What did King Manasseh do to anger God (vs.4)? His father, Hezekiah, had called the nation back to God (away from foreign alliances) and rid the nation of many idols. After assuming the throne Manasseh immediately recommitted Judah to powerful Assyria. Assyrian records say that Manasseh was required to provide building materials to Assyria and also help Assyria against Egypt. Manasseh also established Assyrian religion in Jerusalem.

While establishing the gods of one's conqueror may have been unavoidable, historian John Bright says that Manasseh enjoyed it, reintroducing all of the idols that his father had removed and trying to wipe out any of his father's remaining religious reform. He even reintroduced human sacrifice in Jerusalem. The people too were guilty, supporting Manasseh's reign for over 40 years, participating in the worship of his idols.

In verse 15 Jeremiah yields to frustration before God and is assured that God will strengthen him to continue his mission of warning.

Chapter 16 begins with God's pronouncement on this entire people. It's tempting to fault God as He promises misery and judgment to men, women and even children. But it is the fault of a people who have rejected their God—a God who both loves them and demands justice. These two concepts are equal in God's character. That equality is why Jesus' death for our sins was not one course among many, but the only course to salvation for God's people.

Next time: But Restoration will Come

Jeremiah Questions

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Jeremiah 12:1 – 14:22  

Chapter 12 begins with Jeremiah's cry to God. He voices questions that believers have asked God for thousands of years. Beginning in verse 5 God answers the prophet and seems to be talking to him as to a discouraged child—these things will continue and you must not already find yourself weary. God continues to speak of His judgment against His people and the reason behind it.

Beginning in verse 14 God speaks of His people and their enemies. Israel will be restored. Their enemies, and other nations, will have to turn to Israel's God to find peace and forgiveness.

Pastors today use more visual aids in their sermons than pastors in previous decades. This is not a new technique. Visual aids have been used by God's messengers for thousands of years. In chapter 13 Jeremiah tries to persuade God's people to stop their run to destruction with a linen belt. Instead of being as close to God as His belt, His people had buried themselves away from Him for so long that they had become decayed and useless (vs.1-11).

In verse 12 the prophet changes track and compares the people to a bunch of drunken revelers. Like revelers surprised by an enemy attack they will find that their own devices will be useless in face of God's judgment. They will flee in confusion as though drunken and senseless. Verse 21 probably indicates Babylon because Judah had allied with them on occasion against Assyria.

Jeremiah 14 begins by describing a terrible drought in the land. The people now plead with God "Do not forsake us!" (Vs.9) Surely He will do this in order to impress His enemies. God rejects their plea.

Verses 11-16 are a conversation between Jeremiah and the Lord. Verses 17 through the end of the chapter are a combination of God's message to the people and their pleas to Him. They even dare to ask HIM not to break the covenant which they have already discarded by their sin (vs.21).

Next time: Let Me Make This Clear

The Covenant Ignored

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Jeremiah 11:1 - 23

Worldly covenants implied that in return for protection from a king or other leader, the populace would provide services for their protector (food, armed forces, taxes, etc.). God had established a covenant of a different sort. Of the people whom He had created, sustained, loved, rescued from Egypt, and provided a land, He required no service—only to remain loyal and obedient. He had even taken this small nation and made it famous throughout the entire eastern Mediterranean world. This people, however, had thrown God's covenant back in His face, turned to other gods, and even challenged Him to do His worst, if He could.

Verse 18 of chapter 11 begins Jeremiah's talk with God, as he thanks Him for making the prophet aware that there was a plot on his life. Jeremiah describes himself as a "gentle lamb led to the slaughter" not realizing what was happening around him. It's hard to tell if the prophet's request to see God's vengeance upon the plotters comes from a true sense of justice, or rage—like us, probably a little of both. They have declined to even listen to God's message, so He pronounces that their punishment is coming.

There is a widespread claim today that if Christians were witnessing properly, they would not make people angry or anxious to persecute them. Unfortunately the only way that a Christian can remain inoffensive in a sin filled world is to remain silent, but God commands that we not do that. Jeremiah could not be silent, and because of his message from God, his life was in danger.

We do have to speak in this world. We must not crumble to its demand for silence. The best that we can do is to emulate Jesus, who always spoke in love, even when He denounced sin. He offered the gospel in perfect love. Even Jesus, however, was persecuted. So, while it's important not to imagine rejection and persecution that isn't intended, we should not judge our success in witnessing by the response of others.

Next time: Jeremiah Questions

Pursuing Our Idols

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Jeremiah 9:2-10:25   

Verse 7 shows God's true intention in punishing His people. He does not seek to destroy them, but to "refine and test them." He has to bring them to their knees in order to flatten their arrogance. Then He can lift them up and restore them to Himself.

Verses 23 and 24 expose the greatest error of all. The wise man will not boast of himself, but of the fact that he knows and understands his God.

Verses 17-20 mention the custom of calling the women of a town together to wail and mourn with the bereaved family at the loss of a loved one. One time in Jesus' ministry the wailers who had gathered to mourn the death of a young girl laughed at Him when He told them that she was "sleeping". He then raised her from the dead (Mark 5:38-40).

In vs.25-26 God explains His anger. His people were not circumcised in their hearts. Like the uncircumcised nations, they rejected God's sovereignty; worse than the uncircumcised nations, they were hypocrites, claiming to be faithful while pursuing other gods. They had rejected God and rejected His laws even in regard to their treatment of one another.

Chapter 10 begins with another scathing statement about the foolishness of pursuing both idol worshipers and idols. The exile to Babylon came in stages so Jeremiah may have been speaking not only to the people in Jerusalem, but to those already in Babylon and tempted by its wealth and idols.

Today's "beautiful people" seem to inspire many to not only revere them but to pursue whatever "idols" they may worship. Again we see that money, power, and charisma draw people in all ages of history. Verses 6-7 extol the almighty nature of the true God. Verses 8 through 16 continue the contrast between God and the lifeless idols worshipped by His people. Jeremiah closes chapter 10 with a cry from the people of Jerusalem who suffer under God's punishment and beginning in verse 23 his own pleading prayer for them.

Next time: The Covenant Ignored