The Confident Prophet

 By:  Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Jeremiah 26

 

Jeremiah 26:13-15

Now therefore mend your ways and your deeds, and obey the voice of the Lord your God, and the Lord will relent of the disaster that he has pronounced against you. ¹⁴ But as for me, behold, I am in your hands. Do with me as seems good and right to you. ¹⁵ Only know for certain that if you put me to death, you will bring innocent blood upon yourselves and upon this city and its inhabitants, for in truth the Lord sent me to you to speak all these words in your ears.”

(ESV)

 

We live in an age of entitlement with people claiming victimhood to receive preferential treatment when it comes to government assistance for their plight. What is lacking from this line of thinking is courage like  the Lord told Joshua to have before entering the Promised Land (Joshua 1:9). Jeremiah also had the courage and did not fear death when declaring the Lord and must have had the same level of courage as the Apostle Paul who knew absence from his earthly body meant he would be in the presence of the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:6).

 

Jeremiah 26 has three sections that demonstrate the courage of the Prophet Jeremiah which are,

 

1)      Declaration of the Word of the Lord to the people (Jeremiah 26:1-6) – The Lord gives Jeremiah a word and instructs him to boldly speak this word to all the people from the cities of Judah coming to worship in the House of the Lord, and not to hold back (Jeremiah 26:1-2). The purpose of this word is to give the people of Judah one more opportunity to repent of their ways and receive forgiveness from God (Jeremiah 26:3). The word of the Lord spoken by Jeremiah in the House of the Lord was that the House of the Lord would become like Shiloh (Jeremiah 26:4-6). While Scripture does not provide the details of the destruction of Shiloh, Scripture does not mention it as the center of worship after 1 Samuel 4.

2)      Death Threat (Jeremiah 26:7-15) – The priests and prophets hear the words of Jeremiah and after hearing the words, they laid hold of Jeremiah, telling him he shall die (Jeremiah 26:7-8). Their issue with Jeremiah is with him declaring the destruction of the House of the Lord (Jeremiah 26:9). Hearing this, the officials took their seats at the New Gate of the House of the Lord to make judgments (Jeremiah 26:10). The priests and prophets state their case with the officials (Jeremiah 26:11). Jeremiah then makes his case stating he is declaring the word of the Lord given to him (Jeremiah 26:12). Jeremiah, the confident prophet does not fear death for speaking the Word the Lord has given him and declares the word again to the officials and tells them if this means he will die, to do what they think is good and right. However, he reminds them that if they execute him for speaking the Word of the Lord, they will be bringing innocent blood upon themselves (Jeremiah 26:13-15).

3)      Deliverance (Jeremiah 26:16-24) – After Jeremiah’s defense and warning, the officials and all the people tell the priests and prophets Jeremiah does not deserve death because he has spoken to them in the name of the Lord (Jeremiah 26:16). This caused certain of the elders to rise, reminding the people of Micah who spoke words like those of Jeremiah, and how he was not put to death (Jeremiah 26:17-19). They also remind them of Uriah the son of Shemaiah who was put to death after prophesying against the city (Jeremiah 26:20-23). Jeremiah is delivered because the hand of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan was with Jeremiah, deli8vering him from a sentence of death (Jeremiah 26:24).

 

I just spent a week in Ohio visiting with family. It was a refreshing time with family which included a visit to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. If we were to build a courage hall of fame, Jeremiah may be one of its charter members, along with Joshua. These men of God did not fear death for they understood that should death come, it means they would be in the presence of the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:6). Jeremiah’s qualification for inclusion in a courage hall of fame is his standing firm in declaring the Word of the Lord given to him even under a threat of death.

 

People of courage are needed to provide role models of courage. This does not mean we turn our backs on victims but instead help them find courage. The greatest source of courage is courage in the Lord. Joshua had this courage, went into the promised land, and followed the instructions of the Lord and the walls of Jericho fell (Joshua 6). Jeremiah stood firm when facing death and was willing to die (Jeremiah 26:13-15). Even Jesus courageously went to the cross, enduring excruciating pain so we could be saved by the grace of God (Ephesians 2:8-9). Jesus's courage in going to the cross means victims of sin, which includes us all (Romans 3:23) can have deliverance from sin. If you are presently a victim of sin, I urge you to seek deliverance from victimhood by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

Jesus did not come into the world to condemn it, but to save it (John 3:17). Jesus made a path for everyone who is a victim of sin to escape. Those that just prayed have escaped the victimhood of sin. My prayer is that those that just prayed would continue to grow in courage as they find A Church or Bible Study teaching God’s Word. In Jesus there is no need to be a victim for those in Christ are children of God (John 1:12). May God bless and challenge everyone reading this post.