Reading:
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.
Commentary:
The Lord here through the mouth of Jeremiah, condemns the
people of Judah for their sins. He wanted them to "turn every
man from his evil way, that I may repent me of the evil which I
purpose to do." God was about to punish them for their evil,
hence He warns them only if they change course will He "repent"
namely not do what He had intended. This preaching of the law with
God's earnest threats against man for sin is much necessary in our
world, for all who continue in their wickedness without repentance
will be eternally condemned when they die. By the general rejection
of Jeremiah's word (God's Words), the people wanted Jeremiah put to
death. Suffering such hatred, Jeremiah still affirms the truth of
his words, and He commits His life to God's keeping. In a
Christ-like manner, He will give his life if necessary for the truth
of God's Word.
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