Day 288

Jeremiah 26:1–27:22; 2 Thessalonians 3:1-18; Psalm 85:1-13; Proverbs 25:16

IN OUR READING from Jeremiah today, God instructed the prophet to go into the Temple courtyard and say the following:

This is what the LORD says: If you will not listen to me and obey my word I have given you, and if you will not listen to my servants, the prophets —for I sent them again and again to warn you, but you would not listen to them —then I will destroy this Temple as I destroyed Shiloh, the place where the Tabernacle was located. And I will make Jerusalem an object of cursing in every nation on earth.

Jeremiah obeyed, but it got him in a heap of trouble —which is not all that shocking. Jeremiah walked into the courtyard of the holiest site, in the holiest city, and foretold destruction. He essentially prophesied that everything that gave the Hebrew people an identity would be demolished. We can understand how a mob could form around this. But why did God send Jeremiah to say such things? We see God’s intent in Jeremiah’s instructions:

Perhaps they will listen and turn from their evil ways. Then I will change my mind about the disaster I am ready to pour out on them because of their sins.

Once again, we see God giving options through His prophets. Jeremiah simply stated the direction the people were headed in and its outcome. However, another reality was possible —they could repent. In effect, God sent Jeremiah to the holiest site, in the holiest city, to tell the people that if they would change their minds, He would also change His.

Jeremiah was mobbed after giving the prophecy. He was dragged before the Jewish council. Many called for his execution because he had spoken against the Temple. Ironically, the same kind of accusation would be aimed at Jesus six hundred years later.

After reflection and debate, Jeremiah was released, but his next task was almost as inflammatory. God told Jeremiah, “Make a yoke, and fasten it on your neck with leather straps. Then send messages to the kings of Edom, Moab, Ammon, Tyre, and Sidon through their ambassadors who have come to see King Zedekiah in Jerusalem” (Jeremiah 27:2-3).

The message Jeremiah was to speak instructed the kingdoms mentioned above (including Israel) to surrender to the Babylonian Empire. Although other prophets spoke in complete contradiction to this, Jeremiah pleaded with Israel’s king, “Why do you insist on dying —you and your people? Why should you choose war, famine, and disease, which the LORD will bring against every nation that refuses to submit to Babylon’s king? Do not listen to the false prophets who keep telling you, ‘The king of Babylon will not conquer you.’ They are liars” (Jeremiah 27:13-14).

As we know, Jeremiah’s pleading didn’t work —it’s no small thing for a nation to surrender and be assimilated. Babylon did conquer and destroy the land, and the people were exiled. Which will bring us to one of the most oft-recited verses in the entire Bible.

MEDITATION:

Unfailing love and truth have met together. Righteousness and peace have kissed! Truth springs up from the earth, and righteousness smiles down from heaven. Yes, the LORD pours down his blessings. . . . Righteousness goes as a herald before him, preparing the way for his steps.