26 In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, this word came from the Lord, saying, 2 “Thus says the Lord, ‘Stand in the court of the Lord’s house, and speak to all the cities of Judah who have come to worship in the Lord’s house all the words that I have commanded you to speak to them. Do not omit a word! 3 Perhaps they will listen and everyone will turn from his evil way, that I may repent of the calamity which I am planning to do to them because of the evil of their deeds.’ 4 And you will say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord, “If you will not listen to Me, to walk in My law which I have set before you, 5 to listen to the words of My servants the prophets, whom I have been sending to you [a]again and again, but you have not listened; 6 then I will make this house like Shiloh, and this city I will make a curse to all the nations of the earth.”’”
A Plot to Murder Jeremiah
7 The priests and the prophets and all the people heard Jeremiah speaking these words in the house of the Lord. 8 When Jeremiah finished speaking all that the Lord had commanded him to speak to all the people, the priests and the prophets and all the people seized him, saying, “You must die! 9 Why have you prophesied in the name of the Lord saying, ‘This house will be like Shiloh and this city will be desolate, without inhabitant’?” And all the people gathered about 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 sat in the entrance of the New Gate of the Lord’s house. 11 Then the priests and the prophets spoke to the officials and to all the people, saying, “A death sentence for this man! For he has prophesied against this city as you have heard in your hearing.”
12 Then Jeremiah spoke to all the officials and to all the people, saying, “The Lord sent me to prophesy against this house and against this city all the words that you have heard. 13 Now therefore amend your ways and your deeds and obey the voice of the Lord your God; and the Lord will [b]change His mind about the misfortune which He has pronounced against you. 14 But as for me, behold, I am in your hands; do with me as is good and right in your sight. 15 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.”
Wow, that’s quite the reaction! This may go with the previous chapter, which God gave to Jeremiah in the fourth year of Jehoiakim’s reign. Either way, part of that prophecy was directed right at their leaders, and in v. 8, we see how sorry and repentant they were… Or were not, as they told Jeremiah, “You must die!” All the people and officials gathered together, because this was serious business.
In the face of all this, Jeremiah is confident in his call. When they asked him why he said all these evil things about the temple and the city, he simply told them, “The Lord sent me…” (v. 12) His next words are pretty incredible, “behold, I am in your hands, do with me as is good and right in your sight.” Then he repeats his claim again in v. 15, “truly the Lord has sent me to you…”
Even though they wanted to kill him, Jeremiah doesn’t waver, he doesn’t beg and plead for his life. He stands firm in the truth, and effectively says, “Look, you can do whatever you want with me, but God’s message doesn’t change!” Are we so bold and confident in what we believe? That boldness doesn’t come from sending up a “Hail Mary” prayer every month or two and letting God’s Word collect dust on our shelves.
Rather, when we study God’s Word, and when we spend time in prayer, God strengthens our faith. It is not in us to be so bold, but only by His strength, and with His Spirit alive within us. Yet too often we starve our own souls and wonder why we fold under pressure. Just as our physical body needs food and exercise, so does our soul. So let God feed your spiritual half, with “bread from heaven” that only He can give.