Chapter 26

So once again Jeremiah is given God’s message to speak. This time he’s commanded to go straight to the Temple, and to preach to the worshippers there.

But his message is once again controversial (I think most genuine prophets have that problem sooner or later!). This time God has shown a little crack to His resolve – He goes as far as saying that if the people repent, he’ll relent! But the people are as hard as nails, and they simply get angry.

Ironically, in verse 11, we read that the people who are the most vehement in their criticism of Jeremiah – demanding his death, no less! – are the prophets and priests. What this says about their mandate from the Lord is interesting. At the very BEST, these people are ignoring God in their jealousy of Jeremiah; at worst, God was never speaking through them, and they were frauds all along – frauds who are desperate to avoid being found out!

Jeremiah’s answer to these guys?

Firstly he restates the danger. He has a captive audience, so he makes the most of it. Finally, he tells the people that if they wish to kill an innocent man, go right ahead – but if they do, they’re going against God.

Jeremiah is found not guilty of any wrongdoing, and he discovers he has an ally – one Ahikam, son of Shaphan. This man hasn’t yet declaired himself to be in favour of Jeremiah’s message; rather, he has heard enough that he believes Jeremiah to have a valid point, and wishes to protect him against further attacks.

So what do we get out of this one today?

I think it’s mainly the contrast between the way we often are – frightened of standing up for God – and the way Jeremiah is, completely unfazed. I think this is mostly about faith.

If one has genuine faith in God, it makes it easier to stand out there in before the angry crowd, and just say “Repent”. After all, this life isn’t everything. It would mean that you’re genuinely more concerned with what God thinks than what humans think.

Given that, what is our attitude like? Are we like Jeremaiah, unafraid? Or are we like those opposing him in the temple?

It’s up to us.