What is it to be misrepresented, threatened and be told you are worthy of death? Jeremiah certainly knew. Plenty to think about here...
Jeremiah 26: Jeremiah Threatened with Death
1 In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, this word came from the LORD:
2 "Thus says the LORD: Stand in the court of the LORD's house, and speak to all the cities of Judah that come to worship in the house of the LORD all the words that I command you to speak to them; do not hold back a word.
3 It may be they will listen, and every one turn from his evil way, that I may relent of the disaster that I intend to do to them because of their evil deeds.
4 You shall say to them, 'Thus says the LORD: If you will not listen to me, to walk in my law that I have set before you,
5 and to listen to the words of my servants the prophets whom I send to you urgently, though you have not listened,
6 then I will make this house like Shiloh, and I will make this city a curse for all the nations of the earth.'"
7 The priests and the prophets and all the people heard Jeremiah speaking these words in the house of the LORD.
8 And when Jeremiah had finished speaking all that the LORD had commanded him to speak to all the people, then the priests and the prophets and all the people laid hold of him, saying, "You shall die!
9 Why have you prophesied in the name of the LORD, saying, 'This house shall be like Shiloh, and this city shall be desolate, without inhabitant'?" And all the people gathered around Jeremiah in the house of the LORD.
10 When the officials of Judah heard these things, they came up from the king's house to the house of the LORD and took their seat in the entry of the New Gate of the house of the LORD.
11 Then the priests and the prophets said to the officials and to all the people, "This man deserves the sentence of death, because he has prophesied against this city, as you have heard with your own ears."
12 Then Jeremiah spoke to all the officials and all the people, saying, "The LORD sent me to prophesy against this house and this city all the words you have heard.
13 Now therefore mend your ways and your deeds, and obey the voice of the LORD your God, and the LORD will relent of the disaster that he has pronounced against you.
14 But as for me, behold, I am in your hands. Do with me as seems good and right to you.
15 Only know for certain that if you put me to death, you will bring innocent blood upon yourselves and upon this city and its inhabitants, for in truth the LORD sent me to you to speak all these words in your ears."
Jeremiah Spared from Death
16 Then the officials and all the people said to the priests and the prophets, "This man does not deserve the sentence of death, for he has spoken to us in the name of the LORD our God."
17 And certain of the elders of the land arose and spoke to all the assembled people, saying,
18 "Micah of Moresheth prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah, and said to all the people of Judah: 'Thus says the LORD of hosts, "'Zion shall be ploughed as a field; Jerusalem shall become a heap of ruins, and the mountain of the house a wooded height.'
19 Did Hezekiah king of Judah and all Judah put him to death? Did he not fear the LORD and entreat the favour of the LORD, and did not the LORD relent of the disaster that he had pronounced against them? But we are about to bring great disaster upon ourselves."
20 There was another man who prophesied in the name of the LORD, Uriah the son of Shemaiah from Kiriath-jearim. He prophesied against this city and against this land in words like those of Jeremiah.
21 And when King Jehoiakim, with all his warriors and all the officials, heard his words, the king sought to put him to death. But when Uriah heard of it, he was afraid and fled and escaped to Egypt.
22 Then King Jehoiakim sent to Egypt certain men, Elnathan the son of Achbor and others with him,
23 and they took Uriah from Egypt and brought him to King Jehoiakim, who struck him down with the sword and dumped his dead body into the burial place of the common people.
24 But the hand of Ahikam the son of Shaphan was with Jeremiah so that he was not given over to the people to be put to death.
Things to think about…
1. Jer 26 gives a slightly backwards snap shot of Jeremiah’s ministry. Jer 26:1-15 took place around 609BC – so before any of the three Babylonian attacks had taken place. But certainly well into his ministry of telling them all to repent of their idol worship and immoral living etc. Jeremiah says, this place I.E the temple, Jerusalem etc, will be like Shiloh, vs 9. Shiloh was destroyed by the Philistines when they captured the Ark from the Israelites in the days of Eli the Priest and Samuel the prophet - around 1075BC. God made the Ark return after inflicting the Philistines with tumours etc, but Shiloh was destroyed. God in like manner was going to destroy Jerusalem. He does not dwell in temples made by men. The Judeans struggled with this. Their identity was in the trappings of their religion rather than in the Lord Himself. Can you think of any examples in the modern church context where this may in fact be the case today?
2. The cry from the priests and the prophets was, “this man deserves the sentence of death”, Jer 26:11. We know the same cry was shouted out regarding Jesus. The people had moved so far away from God, that when they heard His word pure and unadulterated, they manifested! Hence Jeremiah receives death threats. Jeremiah at this point puts on a bold front, vs 14, 15. We know later as we looked at last week, he struggled at times and wanted out. What should our response be with people who would call themselves Christians openly but reject the Lord’s counsel over their lives?
3. In Jer 26:16ff reason seems to come into the situation through the officials and elders. Here are godly men who keep the priests and prophets accountable to the Word of God by quoting historical relevance to Jeremiah’s ministry. This saves Jeremiah, but it did not seem to save another prophet by the name of Uriah, Jer 26:20-23. What was the difference in these two men? It seems they both had the same ministry of condemnation towards those in the religious hierarchy who were living in moral rebellion towards the Lord, vs 20. Why was Uriah killed, but Jeremiah spared. Precious in the eyes of the LORD is the death for His saints, Ps 116:15. Some are taken, some are left, all are faithful to the Lord’s calling.
4. Have a look at Jer 26:24! I really appreciate the modern day Ahikam’s that have your spiritual back as it were. These are fearless folk who stand for the truth and are prepared to defend the Lord’s word wherever and whenever it is proclaimed faithfully. CBC has quite a few of these! I praise and thank God for them. Please pray the Lord continues to bless us with godly spiritual armour bearers!
Vision Point for cell groups – Cell groups on break over the school holidays
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Prayer Points
1. People in the church and community who have Covid. Pray especially as some will have a severe reaction.
2. That we see Christ even as Covid goes through the community.
3. Praise, hope and Joy through this new year.
4. Pray for other building projects – café roof, the repair of the house roof.
5. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points
1. CBC Leadership team – maintaining church and grounds as well as the weekly running of ministries. Thankyou.
2. Wonderful worship on Sunday – thankyou, Zac, Gina as well as Bec and Doug – technical team.
3. Joy in our service, great times in the cafe.
4. Word of God being blessed at CBC.
Announcements
1. All ministries on break until the start of February
2. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
3. Tune in again this week on our youtube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism question for January...
Q. 15. What does the wine represent? A. The blood of Christ, shed for our salvation.
Bible References – Matt.26:27&28; 1Cor.11:25.
“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known” Jer 33:3
