Jeremiah 26: A Prophet on Trial
In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah came this word from the Lord, saying,
Thus saith the Lord; Stand in the court of the Lord’s house, and speak unto all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the Lord’s house, all the words that I command thee to speak unto them; diminish not a word:
If so be they will hearken, and turn every man from his evil way, that I may repent me of the evil, which I purpose to do unto them because of the evil of their doings.
And thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord; If ye will not hearken to me, to walk in my law, which I have set before you,
To hearken to the words of my servants the prophets, whom I sent unto you, both rising up early, and sending them, but ye have not hearkened;
Then will I make this house like Shiloh, and will make this city a curse to all the nations of the earth.
So the priests and the prophets and all the people heard Jeremiah speaking these words in the house of the Lord.
Now it came to pass, when Jeremiah had made an end of speaking all that the Lord had commanded him to speak unto all the people, that the priests and the prophets and all the people took him, saying, Thou shalt surely die.
Why hast thou prophesied in the name of the Lord, saying, This house shall be like Shiloh, and this city shall be desolate without an inhabitant? And all the people were gathered against Jeremiah in the house of the Lord.
When the princes of Judah heard these things, then they came up from the king’s house unto the house of the Lord, and sat down in the entry of the new gate of the Lord’s house.
Then spake the priests and the prophets unto the princes and to all the people, saying, This man is worthy to die; for he hath prophesied against this city, as ye have heard with your ears.
Then spake Jeremiah unto all the princes and to all the people, saying, The Lord sent me to prophesy against this house and against this city all the words that ye have heard.
Therefore now amend your ways and your doings, and obey the voice of the Lord your God; and the Lord will repent him of the evil that he hath pronounced against you.
As for me, behold, I am in your hand: do with me as seemeth good and meet unto you.
But know ye for certain, that if ye put me to death, ye shall surely bring innocent blood upon yourselves, and upon this city, and upon the inhabitants thereof: for of a truth the Lord hath sent me unto you to speak all these words in your ears.
Then said the princes and all the people unto the priests and to the prophets; This man is not worthy to die: for he hath spoken to us in the name of the Lord our God.
Then rose up certain of the elders of the land, and spake to all the assembly of the people, saying,
Micah the Morasthite prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah, and spake to all the people of Judah, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Zion shall be plowed like a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high places of a forest.
Did Hezekiah king of Judah and all Judah put him at all to death? did he not fear the Lord, and besought the Lord, and the Lord repented him of the evil which he had pronounced against them? Thus might we procure great evil against our souls.
And there was also a man that prophesied in the name of the Lord, Urijah the son of Shemaiah of Kirjath–jearim, who prophesied against this city and against this land according to all the words of Jeremiah:
And when Jehoiakim the king, with all his mighty men, and all the princes, heard his words, the king sought to put him to death: but when Urijah heard it, he was afraid, and fled, and went into Egypt;
And Jehoiakim the king sent men into Egypt, namely, Elnathan the son of Achbor, and certain men with him into Egypt.
And they fetched forth Urijah out of Egypt, and brought him unto Jehoiakim the king; who slew him with the sword, and cast his dead body into the graves of the common people.
Nevertheless the hand of Ahikam the son of Shaphan was with Jeremiah, that they should not give him into the hand of the people to put him to death.
Jeremiah 26 offers a powerful glimpse into the challenges faced by prophets in delivering God's message, particularly when that message challenges the status quo. This chapter, though recounting events that likely occurred early in the reign of Jehoiakim (around 609-608 BC), vividly portrays the tension between divine truth and human resistance. It serves as a reminder of the courage required to speak truth to power and the importance of discerning God's voice amidst a chorus of dissenting opinions.
The Prophecy and the Fury (Jeremiah 26:1-11)
The chapter opens with God commissioning Jeremiah to deliver a stark warning. He is to stand in the court of the Lord's house and speak to all the cities of Judah that come to worship there. The message is clear: if the people do not listen and obey God's law, the temple will become like Shiloh, a place of desolation, and Jerusalem will become a curse to all nations (Jeremiah 26:4-6). This echoes the consistent theme throughout Jeremiah's ministry: judgment is imminent, but repentance offers a path to restoration.
The reaction to Jeremiah's prophecy is immediate and hostile. The priests, the prophets (false ones, presumably), and the people are enraged by his words (Jeremiah 26:7-8). They seize him, declaring that he should die for prophesying against the city and the temple. This demonstrates the depth of Judah's spiritual decay. Instead of repenting, they are furious at the messenger of God's warning.
Jeremiah is then dragged to the New Gate of the Lord's temple, where the officials of the city gather to hear the case (Jeremiah 26:10). The priests and prophets demand the death penalty for Jeremiah, highlighting the tragic reversal of roles: those who should be leading the people in righteousness are instead advocating for the silencing of God's voice (Jeremiah 26:11).
Jeremiah's Defense and the Offer of Forgiveness (Jeremiah 26:12-15)
In the face of such intense opposition, Jeremiah delivers a simple yet powerful defense. He asserts that he has spoken only what God commanded him to speak (Jeremiah 26:12). He emphasizes that his message, though containing a warning of judgment, also includes an offer of forgiveness. God is willing to relent from the disaster He has pronounced if the people turn from their evil ways (Jeremiah 26:13).
Jeremiah boldly concludes by warning the rulers that if they put him to death, they will bring innocent blood upon themselves, the city, and its inhabitants (Jeremiah 26:15). His courage is remarkable, standing firm on God's authority and emphasizing the consequences of rejecting His message. He begins and ends his defense by appealing to God's authority, reminding everyone that he is merely a vessel for God's word. This is a vital lesson for all who proclaim God's truth: the message is backed by His authority, not our own.
A Divided Response and a Historical Precedent (Jeremiah 26:16-24)
The response to Jeremiah's defense is divided. While the priests and false prophets remain hostile, "the officials and all the people" (Jeremiah 26:16) recognize the truth in Jeremiah's words. They acknowledge that he has spoken in the name of the Lord and declare that he does not deserve to die. This marks a significant turning point, highlighting the potential for repentance even in the face of widespread corruption.
The elders of the land further support Jeremiah by citing the example of Micah the prophet, who prophesied a similar message of judgment during the reign of King Hezekiah (Jeremiah 26:17-19). Hezekiah listened to Micah, and the people repented, leading God to withhold His judgment. This historical precedent underscores the importance of heeding prophetic warnings and the potential for national repentance to avert disaster. This act of repentance delayed God's hand of judgment.
The chapter also includes a sobering historical note about Uriah, another prophet who delivered a similar message of judgment (Jeremiah 26:20-23). Unlike Jeremiah, Uriah fled to Egypt to escape the wrath of King Jehoiakim, but he was extradited back to Judah and executed. This detail underscores the very real danger faced by prophets who spoke truth to power and provides context for Jeremiah's apprehension. Ahikam, however, protected Jeremiah, ensuring he wasn't handed over to the people for execution (Jeremiah 26:24).
Lessons for Today
Jeremiah 26 offers several important lessons for believers today:
- The Importance of Discernment: The chapter highlights the need to discern between true and false prophets, between God's voice and the voices of those who seek to maintain the status quo.
- The Courage to Speak Truth: Jeremiah's example encourages us to speak truth, even when it is unpopular or faces opposition. We must be willing to stand firm on God's word, even when it means facing persecution.
- The Offer of Forgiveness: Even in the midst of judgment, God offers forgiveness and restoration. Repentance is always possible, and it can avert disaster.
- The Power of Repentance: Hezekiah's example demonstrates the transformative power of national repentance. When a nation turns to God, He is willing to show mercy and withhold judgment.
- God's Authority: When we faithfully proclaim God's truth, it's backed by his authority, not ours.
Jeremiah 26 serves as a powerful reminder of the challenges and rewards of prophetic ministry and the enduring need for repentance and obedience to God's word. It calls us to examine our own hearts and to be willing to listen to God's voice, even when it challenges our assumptions and comforts. The officials and the people did what the nation’s spiritual leaders should have done—that is, recognize and authenticate God’s true word spoken by his true prophet, and then lead the way in repentance. May we have the courage to follow Jeremiah's example and the wisdom to discern God's truth in our own day.
In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah came this word from the Lord, saying,
Thus saith the Lord; Stand in the court of the Lord’s house, and speak unto all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the Lord’s house, all the words that I command thee to speak unto them; diminish not a word:
If so be they will hearken, and turn every man from his evil way, that I may repent me of the evil, which I purpose to do unto them because of the evil of their doings.
And thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord; If ye will not hearken to me, to walk in my law, which I have set before you,
To hearken to the words of my servants the prophets, whom I sent unto you, both rising up early, and sending them, but ye have not hearkened;
Then will I make this house like Shiloh, and will make this city a curse to all the nations of the earth.
So the priests and the prophets and all the people heard Jeremiah speaking these words in the house of the Lord.
Now it came to pass, when Jeremiah had made an end of speaking all that the Lord had commanded him to speak unto all the people, that the priests and the prophets and all the people took him, saying, Thou shalt surely die.
Why hast thou prophesied in the name of the Lord, saying, This house shall be like Shiloh, and this city shall be desolate without an inhabitant? And all the people were gathered against Jeremiah in the house of the Lord.
When the princes of Judah heard these things, then they came up from the king’s house unto the house of the Lord, and sat down in the entry of the new gate of the Lord’s house.
Then spake the priests and the prophets unto the princes and to all the people, saying, This man is worthy to die; for he hath prophesied against this city, as ye have heard with your ears.
Then spake Jeremiah unto all the princes and to all the people, saying, The Lord sent me to prophesy against this house and against this city all the words that ye have heard.
Therefore now amend your ways and your doings, and obey the voice of the Lord your God; and the Lord will repent him of the evil that he hath pronounced against you.
As for me, behold, I am in your hand: do with me as seemeth good and meet unto you.
But know ye for certain, that if ye put me to death, ye shall surely bring innocent blood upon yourselves, and upon this city, and upon the inhabitants thereof: for of a truth the Lord hath sent me unto you to speak all these words in your ears.
Then said the princes and all the people unto the priests and to the prophets; This man is not worthy to die: for he hath spoken to us in the name of the Lord our God.
Then rose up certain of the elders of the land, and spake to all the assembly of the people, saying,
Micah the Morasthite prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah, and spake to all the people of Judah, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Zion shall be plowed like a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high places of a forest.
Did Hezekiah king of Judah and all Judah put him at all to death? did he not fear the Lord, and besought the Lord, and the Lord repented him of the evil which he had pronounced against them? Thus might we procure great evil against our souls.
And there was also a man that prophesied in the name of the Lord, Urijah the son of Shemaiah of Kirjath–jearim, who prophesied against this city and against this land according to all the words of Jeremiah:
And when Jehoiakim the king, with all his mighty men, and all the princes, heard his words, the king sought to put him to death: but when Urijah heard it, he was afraid, and fled, and went into Egypt;
And Jehoiakim the king sent men into Egypt, namely, Elnathan the son of Achbor, and certain men with him into Egypt.
And they fetched forth Urijah out of Egypt, and brought him unto Jehoiakim the king; who slew him with the sword, and cast his dead body into the graves of the common people.
Nevertheless the hand of Ahikam the son of Shaphan was with Jeremiah, that they should not give him into the hand of the people to put him to death.
Jeremiah 26 offers a powerful glimpse into the challenges faced by prophets in delivering God's message, particularly when that message challenges the status quo. This chapter, though recounting events that likely occurred early in the reign of Jehoiakim (around 609-608 BC), vividly portrays the tension between divine truth and human resistance. It serves as a reminder of the courage required to speak truth to power and the importance of discerning God's voice amidst a chorus of dissenting opinions.
The Prophecy and the Fury (Jeremiah 26:1-11)
The chapter opens with God commissioning Jeremiah to deliver a stark warning. He is to stand in the court of the Lord's house and speak to all the cities of Judah that come to worship there. The message is clear: if the people do not listen and obey God's law, the temple will become like Shiloh, a place of desolation, and Jerusalem will become a curse to all nations (Jeremiah 26:4-6). This echoes the consistent theme throughout Jeremiah's ministry: judgment is imminent, but repentance offers a path to restoration.
The reaction to Jeremiah's prophecy is immediate and hostile. The priests, the prophets (false ones, presumably), and the people are enraged by his words (Jeremiah 26:7-8). They seize him, declaring that he should die for prophesying against the city and the temple. This demonstrates the depth of Judah's spiritual decay. Instead of repenting, they are furious at the messenger of God's warning.
Jeremiah is then dragged to the New Gate of the Lord's temple, where the officials of the city gather to hear the case (Jeremiah 26:10). The priests and prophets demand the death penalty for Jeremiah, highlighting the tragic reversal of roles: those who should be leading the people in righteousness are instead advocating for the silencing of God's voice (Jeremiah 26:11).
Jeremiah's Defense and the Offer of Forgiveness (Jeremiah 26:12-15)
In the face of such intense opposition, Jeremiah delivers a simple yet powerful defense. He asserts that he has spoken only what God commanded him to speak (Jeremiah 26:12). He emphasizes that his message, though containing a warning of judgment, also includes an offer of forgiveness. God is willing to relent from the disaster He has pronounced if the people turn from their evil ways (Jeremiah 26:13).
Jeremiah boldly concludes by warning the rulers that if they put him to death, they will bring innocent blood upon themselves, the city, and its inhabitants (Jeremiah 26:15). His courage is remarkable, standing firm on God's authority and emphasizing the consequences of rejecting His message. He begins and ends his defense by appealing to God's authority, reminding everyone that he is merely a vessel for God's word. This is a vital lesson for all who proclaim God's truth: the message is backed by His authority, not our own.
A Divided Response and a Historical Precedent (Jeremiah 26:16-24)
The response to Jeremiah's defense is divided. While the priests and false prophets remain hostile, "the officials and all the people" (Jeremiah 26:16) recognize the truth in Jeremiah's words. They acknowledge that he has spoken in the name of the Lord and declare that he does not deserve to die. This marks a significant turning point, highlighting the potential for repentance even in the face of widespread corruption.
The elders of the land further support Jeremiah by citing the example of Micah the prophet, who prophesied a similar message of judgment during the reign of King Hezekiah (Jeremiah 26:17-19). Hezekiah listened to Micah, and the people repented, leading God to withhold His judgment. This historical precedent underscores the importance of heeding prophetic warnings and the potential for national repentance to avert disaster. This act of repentance delayed God's hand of judgment.
The chapter also includes a sobering historical note about Uriah, another prophet who delivered a similar message of judgment (Jeremiah 26:20-23). Unlike Jeremiah, Uriah fled to Egypt to escape the wrath of King Jehoiakim, but he was extradited back to Judah and executed. This detail underscores the very real danger faced by prophets who spoke truth to power and provides context for Jeremiah's apprehension. Ahikam, however, protected Jeremiah, ensuring he wasn't handed over to the people for execution (Jeremiah 26:24).
Lessons for Today
Jeremiah 26 offers several important lessons for believers today:
- The Importance of Discernment: The chapter highlights the need to discern between true and false prophets, between God's voice and the voices of those who seek to maintain the status quo.
- The Courage to Speak Truth: Jeremiah's example encourages us to speak truth, even when it is unpopular or faces opposition. We must be willing to stand firm on God's word, even when it means facing persecution.
- The Offer of Forgiveness: Even in the midst of judgment, God offers forgiveness and restoration. Repentance is always possible, and it can avert disaster.
- The Power of Repentance: Hezekiah's example demonstrates the transformative power of national repentance. When a nation turns to God, He is willing to show mercy and withhold judgment.
- God's Authority: When we faithfully proclaim God's truth, it's backed by his authority, not ours.
Jeremiah 26 serves as a powerful reminder of the challenges and rewards of prophetic ministry and the enduring need for repentance and obedience to God's word. It calls us to examine our own hearts and to be willing to listen to God's voice, even when it challenges our assumptions and comforts. The officials and the people did what the nation’s spiritual leaders should have done—that is, recognize and authenticate God’s true word spoken by his true prophet, and then lead the way in repentance. May we have the courage to follow Jeremiah's example and the wisdom to discern God's truth in our own day.