19 August

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Jeremiah 26-29

Jeremiah 26

Once again Jeremiah repeated a previous message, one delivered yet earlier, "in the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim." He had then been instructed to stand in the court of the Lord's house, and deliver his message in order to give an opportunity to the people to turn. The message itself warned them against refusing to hearken, and told of their persistent refusal and of the consequent judgment decided against them.

The message excited the hostility of the priests, prophets, and people. Jeremiah then told the story of his trial, saying he had been seized and condemned to die. The princes of Judah however, interfered, and he was placed on trial before them. The priests and the prophets charged him with speaking against the city. He answered that he had but delivered the message of Jehovah. The interference of the princes, and the defense of Jeremiah won the people to his side, and, with the princes, they declared to priests and prophets that he was not worthy of death. Certain of the elders addressed the people, declaring that to slay the prophet of the Lord would be sin, and instanced the cases of Micaiah and Uriah. Jeremiah was preserved by Ahikam.

Jeremiah 27

Having thus repeated the vision and prophecies of the earlier times, Jeremiah again addressed himself directly to Zedekiah. There can be no doubt that the marginal reading of 27:l must be adopted, and the word "Zedekiah"

substituted for "Jehoiakim." Having shown by his vision of the baskets of figs what was determined against Judah in the way of punishment, through Babylon, the prophet now announced Jehovah's attitude in this matter. He was charged to make bands and bars. Evidently one of these the prophet wore himself, while the rest were sent to the messengers.

These messengers represented a confederacy of kings formed to resist Nebuchadnezzar. The prophet declared that all such attempts would be useless. Jehovah was absolutely supreme in governing the world, and had given the lands into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar. Those who refused to submit to him would be punished in other ways, but still by the direct act of Jehovah. Jeremiah warned these messengers therefore to pay no attention to their prophets, nor any who told them that they should not serve the king of Babylon. The divine fiat had gone forth, and the only way of escape from suffering was to bend the neck to the yoke of the king of Babylon. Those who would do so would be allowed to remain in their own land.

After this address to the messengers of all the kings, the prophet directed his attention especially to Zedekiah, urging him to submit to the king of Babylon. Again he earnestly warned Zedekiah against listening to the false prophets who were declaring that the threatened invasion and victory of Nebuchadnezzar would never occur. He suggested this test to the prophets, that they make intercession to the Lord of hosts that the vessels of Jehovah should not go to Babylon. It was an ironical suggestion, as is evidenced by the fact that he immediately declared that the word of Jehovah had irrevocably gone forth that these things should be carried into Babylon and remain there until Jehovah visited them and restored them to their own place.

Jeremiah 28

This and the following chapter have to do with the direct relations between Jeremiah and the false prophets against whom Jeremiah so solemnly warned Zedekiah.

In this chapter we have the account of the incident between Hananiah and Jeremiah. In the house of Jehovah Hananiah told Jeremiah that Jehovah had declared that within two full years He would restore the vessels and the people, breaking the yoke of the king of Babylon. Evidently deceived, Jeremiah assented, and yet it is evident that he was not assured, for he declared to Hananiah that the only proof of divine authority was the fulfilment of prediction. He was, however, so far persuaded as to allow Hananiah to take the bar from off his neck and break it. This was done publicly, and Hananiah declared to the people that Jehovah would break the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar within two years.

Immediately the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah, contradicting all that Hananiah had declared. It is evident from the story that Jeremiah's failure was a mistake of judgment rather than any deviation from loyalty to duty. Punishment fell not on him but on Hananiah, because he had made the people to trust in a lie.

Jeremiah 29

As a result of this false prophesying, Jeremiah sent a letter to the exiles. It is evident that they also were disturbed. The letter instructed them, first, concerning their present position, advising them to settle in Babylon and beware of false prophets. It then proceeded to declare what the future would be. Deliverance was in the purpose of God for them, but it would not be accomplished until after seventy years. The promise of deliverance then is full of tenderness and of beauty. It ended by a detailed repetition of the sentence of Jehovah against the people, and a stern denunciation of the prophets, accompanied by a prophecy of their doom.

One of the prophets among the exiles, Shemaiah, wrote to Zephaniah the priest, protesting against his inactivity and declaring that his duty was to put Jeremiah in the stocks and shackles. This letter Zephaniah showed to Jeremiah, who, acting under the direction of Jehovah, sent to all those in captivity, denouncing Shemaiah and foretelling his doom.