August 5, 2025
Jeremiah's faithfulness & Hezekiah's response
Jeremiah 25-27
Davis Holbert
Big Book Idea
Being a messenger of truth in a dark place can be challenging, but it is worth it.
Key Verse | Jeremiah 26:16
Then the officials and all the people said to the priests and the prophets, "This man does not deserve the sentence of death, for he has spoken to us in the name of the LORD our God."
Jeremiah 25-27
Chapter 25
Seventy Years of Captivity
1 The word that came to Jeremiah concerning all the people of Judah, in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah (that was the first year of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon), 2 which Jeremiah the prophet spoke to all the people of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem: 3 “For twenty-three years, from the thirteenth year of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah, to this day, the word of the LORD has come to me, and I have spoken persistently to you, but you have not listened. 4 You have neither listened nor inclined your ears to hear, although the LORD persistently sent to you all his servants the prophets, 5 saying, ‘Turn now, every one of you, from his evil way and evil deeds, and dwell upon the land that the LORD has given to you and your fathers from of old and forever. 6 Do not go after other gods to serve and worship them, or provoke me to anger with the work of your hands. Then I will do you no harm.’ 7 Yet you have not listened to me, declares the LORD, that you might provoke me to anger with the work of your hands to your own harm.
8 Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts: Because you have not obeyed my words, 9 behold, I will send for all the tribes of the north, declares the LORD, and for Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and I will bring them against this land and its inhabitants, and against all these surrounding nations. I will devote them to destruction, and make them a horror, a hissing, and an everlasting desolation. 10 Moreover, I will banish from them the voice of mirth and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the grinding of the millstones and the light of the lamp. 11 This whole land shall become a ruin and a waste, and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years. 12 Then after seventy years are completed, I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation, the land of the Chaldeans, for their iniquity, declares the LORD, making the land an everlasting waste. 13 I will bring upon that land all the words that I have uttered against it, everything written in this book, which Jeremiah prophesied against all the nations. 14 For many nations and great kings shall make slaves even of them, and I will recompense them according to their deeds and the work of their hands.”
The Cup of the LORD's Wrath
15 Thus the LORD, the God of Israel, said to me: “Take from my hand this cup of the wine of wrath, and make all the nations to whom I send you drink it. 16 They shall drink and stagger and be crazed because of the sword that I am sending among them.”
17 So I took the cup from the LORD's hand, and made all the nations to whom the LORD sent me drink it: 18 Jerusalem and the cities of Judah, its kings and officials, to make them a desolation and a waste, a hissing and a curse, as at this day; 19 Pharaoh king of Egypt, his servants, his officials, all his people, 20 and all the mixed tribes among them; all the kings of the land of Uz and all the kings of the land of the Philistines (Ashkelon, Gaza, Ekron, and the remnant of Ashdod); 21 Edom, Moab, and the sons of Ammon; 22 all the kings of Tyre, all the kings of Sidon, and the kings of the coastland across the sea; 23 Dedan, Tema, Buz, and all who cut the corners of their hair; 24 all the kings of Arabia and all the kings of the mixed tribes who dwell in the desert; 25 all the kings of Zimri, all the kings of Elam, and all the kings of Media; 26 all the kings of the north, far and near, one after another, and all the kingdoms of the world that are on the face of the earth. And after them the king of Babylon 1 25:26 Hebrew Sheshach, a code name for Babylon shall drink.
27 “Then you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Drink, be drunk and vomit, fall and rise no more, because of the sword that I am sending among you.’
28 And if they refuse to accept the cup from your hand to drink, then you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts: You must drink! 29 For behold, I begin to work disaster at the city that is called by my name, and shall you go unpunished? You shall not go unpunished, for I am summoning a sword against all the inhabitants of the earth, declares the LORD of hosts.’
30 You, therefore, shall prophesy against them all these words, and say to them:
‘The LORD will roar from on high,
and from his holy habitation utter his voice;
he will roar mightily against his fold,
and shout, like those who tread grapes,
against all the inhabitants of the earth.
31
The clamor will resound to the ends of the earth,
for the LORD has an indictment against the nations;
he is entering into judgment with all flesh,
and the wicked he will put to the sword,
declares the LORD.’
32
Thus says the LORD of hosts:
Behold, disaster is going forth
from nation to nation,
and a great tempest is stirring
from the farthest parts of the earth!
33 And those pierced by the LORD on that day shall extend from one end of the earth to the other. They shall not be lamented, or gathered, or buried; they shall be dung on the surface of the ground.
34
Wail, you shepherds, and cry out,
and roll in ashes, you lords of the flock,
for the days of your slaughter and dispersion have come,
and you shall fall like a choice vessel.
35
No refuge will remain for the shepherds,
nor escape for the lords of the flock.
36
A voice—the cry of the shepherds,
and the wail of the lords of the flock!
For the LORD is laying waste their pasture,
37
and the peaceful folds are devastated
because of the fierce anger of the LORD.
38
Like a lion he has left his lair,
for their land has become a waste
because of the sword of the oppressor,
and because of his fierce anger.”
Chapter 26
Jeremiah Threatened with Death
1 In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, this word came from the LORD: 2 “Thus says the LORD: Stand in the court of the LORD's house, and speak to all the cities of Judah that come to worship in the house of the LORD all the words that I command you to speak to them; do not hold back a word. 3 It may be they will listen, and every one turn from his evil way, that I may relent of the disaster that I intend to do to them because of their evil deeds. 4 You shall say to them, ‘Thus says the LORD: If you will not listen to me, to walk in my law that I have set before you, 5 and to listen to the words of my servants the prophets whom I send to you urgently, though you have not listened, 6 then I will make this house like Shiloh, and I will make this city a curse for all the nations of the earth.’”
7 The priests and the prophets and all the people heard Jeremiah speaking these words in the house of the LORD. 8 And when Jeremiah had finished speaking all that the LORD had commanded him to speak to all the people, then the priests and the prophets and all the people laid hold of him, saying, “You shall die! 9 Why have you prophesied in the name of the LORD, saying, ‘This house shall be like Shiloh, and this city shall be desolate, without inhabitant’?” And all the people gathered around Jeremiah in the house of the LORD.
10 When the officials of Judah heard these things, they came up from the king's house to the house of the LORD and took their seat in the entry of the New Gate of the house of the LORD. 11 Then the priests and the prophets said to the officials and to all the people, “This man deserves the sentence of death, because he has prophesied against this city, as you have heard with your own ears.”
12 Then Jeremiah spoke to all the officials and all the people, saying, “The LORD sent me to prophesy against this house and this city all the words you have heard. 13 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.”
Jeremiah Spared from Death
16 Then the officials and all the people said to the priests and the prophets, “This man does not deserve the sentence of death, for he has spoken to us in the name of the LORD our God.” 17 And certain of the elders of the land arose and spoke to all the assembled people, saying, 18 “Micah of Moresheth prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah, and said to all the people of Judah: ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts,
‘Zion shall be plowed as a field;
Jerusalem shall become a heap of ruins,
and the mountain of the house a wooded height.’
19 Did Hezekiah king of Judah and all Judah put him to death? Did he not fear the LORD and entreat the favor of the LORD, and did not the LORD relent of the disaster that he had pronounced against them? But we are about to bring great disaster upon ourselves.”
20 There was another man who prophesied in the name of the LORD, Uriah the son of Shemaiah from Kiriath-jearim. He prophesied against this city and against this land in words like those of Jeremiah. 21 And when King Jehoiakim, with all his warriors and all the officials, heard his words, the king sought to put him to death. But when Uriah heard of it, he was afraid and fled and escaped to Egypt. 22 Then King Jehoiakim sent to Egypt certain men, Elnathan the son of Achbor and others with him, 23 and they took Uriah from Egypt and brought him to King Jehoiakim, who struck him down with the sword and dumped his dead body into the burial place of the common people.
24 But the hand of Ahikam the son of Shaphan was with Jeremiah so that he was not given over to the people to be put to death.
Chapter 27
The Yoke of Nebuchadnezzar
1 In the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah 2 27:1 Or Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, this word came to Jeremiah from the LORD. 2 Thus the LORD said to me: “Make yourself straps and yoke-bars, and put them on your neck. 3 Send word 3 27:3 Hebrew Send them to the king of Edom, the king of Moab, the king of the sons of Ammon, the king of Tyre, and the king of Sidon by the hand of the envoys who have come to Jerusalem to Zedekiah king of Judah. 4 Give them this charge for their masters: ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: This is what you shall say to your masters: 5 “It is I who by my great power and my outstretched arm have made the earth, with the men and animals that are on the earth, and I give it to whomever it seems right to me. 6 Now I have given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, my servant, and I have given him also the beasts of the field to serve him. 7 All the nations shall serve him and his son and his grandson, until the time of his own land comes. Then many nations and great kings shall make him their slave.
8 ‘“But if any nation or kingdom will not serve this Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and put its neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon, I will punish that nation with the sword, with famine, and with pestilence, declares the LORD, until I have consumed it by his hand. 9 So do not listen to your prophets, your diviners, your dreamers, your fortune-tellers, or your sorcerers, who are saying to you, ‘You shall not serve the king of Babylon.’ 10 For it is a lie that they are prophesying to you, with the result that you will be removed far from your land, and I will drive you out, and you will perish. 11 But any nation that will bring its neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon and serve him, I will leave on its own land, to work it and dwell there, declares the LORD.”’”
12 To Zedekiah king of Judah I spoke in like manner: “Bring your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon, and serve him and his people and live. 13 Why will you and your people die by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence, as the LORD has spoken concerning any nation that will not serve the king of Babylon? 14 Do not listen to the words of the prophets who are saying to you, ‘You shall not serve the king of Babylon,’ for it is a lie that they are prophesying to you. 15 I have not sent them, declares the LORD, but they are prophesying falsely in my name, with the result that I will drive you out and you will perish, you and the prophets who are prophesying to you.”
16 Then I spoke to the priests and to all this people, saying, “Thus says the LORD: Do not listen to the words of your prophets who are prophesying to you, saying, ‘Behold, the vessels of the LORD's house will now shortly be brought back from Babylon,’ for it is a lie that they are prophesying to you. 17 Do not listen to them; serve the king of Babylon and live. Why should this city become a desolation? 18 If they are prophets, and if the word of the LORD is with them, then let them intercede with the LORD of hosts, that the vessels that are left in the house of the LORD, in the house of the king of Judah, and in Jerusalem may not go to Babylon. 19 For thus says the LORD of hosts concerning the pillars, the sea, the stands, and the rest of the vessels that are left in this city, 20 which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon did not take away, when he took into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, and all the nobles of Judah and Jerusalem— 21 thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, concerning the vessels that are left in the house of the LORD, in the house of the king of Judah, and in Jerusalem: 22 They shall be carried to Babylon and remain there until the day when I visit them, declares the LORD. Then I will bring them back and restore them to this place.”
Table of Contents
Introduction to Jeremiah
Timeline
Author and Date
Jeremiah was called to be a prophet c. 627 B.C., when he was young (1:6). He served for more than 40 years (1:2–3). Jeremiah had a difficult life. His messages of repentance delivered at the temple were not well received (7:1–8:3; 26:1–11). His hometown plotted against him (11:18–23), and he endured much persecution (20:1–6; 37:11–38:13; 43:1–7). At God’s command, he never married (16:1–4). Although he preached God’s word faithfully, he apparently had only two converts: Baruch, his scribe (32:12; 36:1–4; 45:1–5); and Ebed-melech, an Ethiopian eunuch who served the king (38:7–13; 39:15–18). Though the book does not reveal the time or place of Jeremiah’s death, he probably died in Egypt, where he had been taken by his countrymen against his will after the fall of Jerusalem (43:1–7). He most likely did not live to see the devastation he mentions in chs. 46–51.
Purpose
Jeremiah and Baruch left a record of the difficult times in which they lived, God’s message for those times, and God’s message for the future of Israel and the nations.
Key Themes
- God and humanity. God alone is a living God. God alone made the world. All other so-called gods are mere idols (10:1–16). This Creator God called Israel to a special relationship (chs. 2–6), gave her his holy word, and promised to bless her temple with his name and presence (7:1–8:3). God rules both the present and the future (1:4–16; 29:1–10), protects his chosen ones (1:17–19; 29:11–14; 39:15–18; 45:1–5), and saves those who turn to him (12:14–17). Because God is absolutely trustworthy and always keeps his promises, his grace triumphs over sin and judgment when people repent and turn to him.
The human heart is sick, and no one except God can cure it (17:9–10). The nations worship idols instead of their Creator (10:1–16). Israel, God’s covenant people, went after other gods (chs. 2–6), defiled the temple by their unwillingness to repent (7:1–8:3; 26:1–11), and oppressed one another (34:8–16). Since Israel and the nations have sinned against God (25:1–26), God the Creator is also the Judge of every nation on the earth he created (chs. 46–51).
- Old covenant, Messiah, and new covenant. God made a covenant with Israel, based on his promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Genesis 12–50). As time passed, God’s covenant with Israel included his promise to David of an eternal kingdom (2 Samuel 7; 1 Chronicles 17). God used Jeremiah to deliver the good news that, sometime in the future, God would “make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah” (Jer. 31:31). This covenant would be different in one major way. The new covenant partners will not break the covenant, as most of the old partners did even though God was completely faithful (31:32). Instead, the new covenant partners will have the word of God so ingrained in their hearts through God’s power that they will know and follow God all their lives (31:33–34).
Thus, all the new covenant partners will be believers who are forgiven and empowered by God; he will “remember their sin no more” (31:34). Hebrews 8:8–12 quotes Jer. 31:31–34 as evidence that the new covenant has come through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The coming of Jesus the Messiah fulfills God’s promises to Abraham, Moses, David, and the prophets.
Outline
- Introduction (1:1–19)
- Israel’s Covenantal Adultery (2:1–6:30)
- False Religion and an Idolatrous People (7:1–10:25)
- Jeremiah’s Struggles with God and Judah (11:1–20:18)
- Jeremiah’s Confrontations (21:1–29:32)
- Restoration for Judah and Israel (30:1–33:26)
- God Judges Judah (34:1–45:5)
- God’s Judgment on the Nations (46:1–51:64)
- Conclusion: The Fall of Jerusalem (52:1–34)
Israel and Judah at the Time of Jeremiah
c. 597 B.C.
The book of Jeremiah is set during the politically tumultuous times following the fall of the Assyrians and the rise of the Babylonians. During Jeremiah’s life, several groups of Judeans were deported to Babylon and the temple was destroyed. Though the precise boundaries of Judea and the surrounding regions during this period are difficult to determine, they likely resembled those that previously existed under Assyrian rule, with the exception that Edom (Idumea) was now the area formerly belonging to southern Judah.
Fact: Jeremiah’s unpopular message
Jeremiah’s unpopular message. While all the other prophets were predicting victory over Babylon, Jeremiah told the people it was God’s will that they serve Babylon for a certain number of years. Then, God would rescue them and would judge Babylon (ch. 27). Needless to say, Jeremiah’s message did not make him very popular with either the people or the king.
Fact: Daniel’s prayer
Daniel’s prayer. Jeremiah prophesied that God would restore his people after 70 years in Babylon (Jer. 25:11–14; 29:10). With this in mind, Daniel prays for Israel’s restoration (Dan. 9:1–19).
The Babylonian Empire
c. 597, 586, 582 B.C.
Jeremiah witnessed multiple deportations of many of his fellow Judeans to Babylon (see 52:28–30), which he and other prophets had foretold would happen if the people did not repent of their wickedness. Jeremiah specifically foretold that the exiles would remain in Babylon for 70 years, after which time the Lord would punish the Babylonians themselves for their wickedness (25:11–12).
Israel and Judah at the Time of Jeremiah
c. 597 B.C.
The book of Jeremiah is set during the politically tumultuous times following the fall of the Assyrians and the rise of the Babylonians. During Jeremiah’s life, several groups of Judeans were deported to Babylon and the temple was destroyed. Though the precise boundaries of Judea and the surrounding regions during this period are difficult to determine, they likely resembled those that previously existed under Assyrian rule, with the exception that Edom (Idumea) was now the area formerly belonging to southern Judah.
Parallels between Jeremiah and Lamentations
| Jeremiah | Lamentations |
|---|---|
| I will make this house like Shiloh (chs. 7, 26) | The Lord has scorned . . . his sanctuary (2:7) |
| Let my eyes run down with tears (14:17–22) | my eyes flow with rivers of tears (3:48–51) |
| can I not do with you as this potter has done? (18:6) | regarded as earthen pots, the work of a potter’s hands! (4:2) |
| eat the flesh of their sons and their daughters (19:9) | Should women eat the fruit of their womb? (2:20) |
| vain hopes (23:16) | Your prophets have seen for you false and deceptive visions (2:14) |
Jer. 25:1 fourth year of Jehoiakim. 605 B.C.
Jer. 25:5–6 Turn now. The consistent prophetic message was one of repentance from idolatry so that the people could have a right relationship with God.
Jer. 25:8–9 tribes of the north. See 1:13–16; 3:12, 18; 4:6; 6:1; etc. Nebuchadnezzar . . . my servant. See 27:6; 43:10. Though earth’s greatest king, he is controlled by God. devote them to destruction. See notes on Lev. 27:28–29; Deut. 20:16–18. This is what God’s people were to do to the Canaanites (Deut. 7:2); now it will be their fate instead.
Jer. 25:11 seventy years. This is probably counted from the first exile in 605 B.C. to the first return, variously dated from 538 to 535 (2 Chron. 36:21; Ezra 1:1). However, 70 may be a round number, as it is elsewhere (Ps. 90:10; see Matt. 18:22).
Jer. 25:12 Persia conquered Babylon in 539 B.C. God punishes sin wherever it exists.
The Babylonian Empire
c. 597, 586, 582 B.C.
Jeremiah witnessed multiple deportations of many of his fellow Judeans to Babylon (see 52:28–30), which he and other prophets had foretold would happen if the people did not repent of their wickedness. Jeremiah specifically foretold that the exiles would remain in Babylon for 70 years, after which time the Lord would punish the Babylonians themselves for their wickedness (25:11–12).
Jer. 25:14 many nations. Persia and its allies. great kings. Cyrus and his successors.
Fact: Daniel’s prayer
Daniel’s prayer. Jeremiah prophesied that God would restore his people after 70 years in Babylon (Jer. 25:11–14; 29:10). With this in mind, Daniel prays for Israel’s restoration (Dan. 9:1–19).
Jer. 25:15 cup of . . . wrath. See Isa. 51:17; Rev. 18:6.
Jer. 25:17 made all the nations . . . drink it. Through a symbolic act in Jeremiah’s role as prophet to the nations (1:5).
Jer. 25:19 Egypt. Prior to 605 B.C., Egypt dominated Judah, but Babylon’s victory at Carchemish that year gave Babylon power over Egypt and the countries Egypt ruled.
Jer. 25:23–26 Nations far distant from Judah will be conquered by Babylon. Indeed, all the kingdoms of the world shall drink the cup of Babylon’s wrath. Afterward the king of Babylon shall drink the cup of Persia’s wrath. All these cups come from God, who speaks through Jeremiah.
Jer. 25:31 God’s voice will reach the ends of the earth, for his indictment of sin encompasses all flesh. His sword will touch all wicked persons (see v. 29).
Jer. 25:38 The sword of the oppressor (Babylon) is the result of God’s fierce anger. This lion will devour his prey completely.
Jer. 26:1 The events of this chapter occur c. 609 B.C.
Jer. 26:6 Shiloh. See note on 7:12–14. a curse. See 24:9 and 25:18.
Jer. 26:10 officials. Judges, in this instance. took their seat. To judge the matter. entry of the New Gate. The place where judicial proceedings occurred (see Amos 5:12, 15).
Jer. 26:11 The priests and the prophets claim Jeremiah has committed treason because he prophesied against this city.
Jer. 26:12 The LORD sent me. Jeremiah claims to speak only God’s words (1:4–10) concerning the city and temple (this house).
Jer. 26:16 The officials (judges) and people (assembled community) oppose the religious leaders’ wishes.
Jer. 26:17 elders of the land. Most likely civic leaders from other cities.
Jer. 26:18 Micah. The biblical prophet. prophesied. This verse quotes Mic. 3:12. days of Hezekiah. 715–687 B.C.
Jer. 26:19 The elders note how Hezekiah and the people understood Micah’s words and repented. God then stopped Sennacherib’s invasion of Judah in 701 B.C. (2 Kings 18–19). The elders advise obedience to Jeremiah’s words. This shows that Micah’s oracle was considered scripture by this time. It also shows that prophecy has a moral purpose, rather than simply telling the future (see note on Jer. 18:7; see also Isa. 38:1–6).
Parallels between Jeremiah and Lamentations
| Jeremiah | Lamentations |
|---|---|
| I will make this house like Shiloh (chs. 7, 26) | The Lord has scorned . . . his sanctuary (2:7) |
| Let my eyes run down with tears (14:17–22) | my eyes flow with rivers of tears (3:48–51) |
| can I not do with you as this potter has done? (18:6) | regarded as earthen pots, the work of a potter’s hands! (4:2) |
| eat the flesh of their sons and their daughters (19:9) | Should women eat the fruit of their womb? (2:20) |
| vain hopes (23:16) | Your prophets have seen for you false and deceptive visions (2:14) |
Jer. 27:1 beginning of the reign of Zedekiah. 597 B.C.
Jer. 27:2 Make yourself straps. Jeremiah was to engage in yet another symbolic act (see 13:1–11; 16:1–9; 19:1–15) by wearing the “straps” and yoke-bars that harnessed an animal.
Jer. 27:3–4 A group of envoys had come to Jerusalem to plot strategy for opposing Babylon. Jeremiah, God’s envoy, gave a message for these ambassadors to take to their kings.
Jer. 27:6–7 Nebuchadnezzar . . . my servant. See 25:8–9. make him their slave. See 27:12, 14. Babylon’s rule will not last forever.
Jer. 27:8 Until the era of Nebuchadnezzar’s grandsons, the nations must serve Babylon or face sword, famine, and pestilence (14:1–12; 16:4; 18:21; 21:7–9).
Jer. 27:12–15 Having delivered God’s message to the other nations, Jeremiah now tells Zedekiah the same thing: serving Babylon is God’s will.
Jer. 27:19 pillars. Located in the temple and overlaid with bronze (1 Kings 7:15–22). sea. A tank holding water to clean the area where sacrifices were made (1 Kings 7:23–26). Stands supported the sea and were overlaid with bronze (1 Kings 7:27–37). vessels. Bronze basins (1 Kings 7:38). See illustration.
Solomon’s Temple
Solomon began to build “the house of the LORD” in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah in the spring of 967 or 966 B.C. (1 Kings 6:1; 2 Chron. 3:1–2) and completed it seven years later, in the fall of 960 or 959 (1 Kings 6:38). The temple itself, not including the surrounding chambers on three sides, was 90 feet (27 m) long, 30 feet (9 m) wide, and 45 feet (14 m) high. It stood in the middle of a court with boundary walls.
Jer. 27:21–22 The items noted in v. 19 will indeed go to Babylon, but will also return. The pieces were taken in 587 B.C. They were returned in 538–535, when the Israelites returned to Jerusalem (Ezra 1:7–8; 5:13–17).
Fact: Jeremiah’s unpopular message
Jeremiah’s unpopular message. While all the other prophets were predicting victory over Babylon, Jeremiah told the people it was God’s will that they serve Babylon for a certain number of years. Then, God would rescue them and would judge Babylon (ch. 27). Needless to say, Jeremiah’s message did not make him very popular with either the people or the king.
Listen to the Podcast
Listen NowDive Deeper | Jeremiah 25-27
It can be hard to trust God in the middle of extremely difficult circumstances, which is exactly where Jeremiah and Hezekiah found themselves in this passage. Although Jeremiah and Hezekiah were in different situations, they both lived in a time when faithfulness to God was scarce. Uniquely, they both remained dependent on the Lord despite worldly judgment and possible death.
Jeremiah was a prophet who did "not hold back a word" (Jeremiah 26:2) when letting God's unfaithful people know that they would drink from the cup of wrath for their disobedience. It must have been extremely difficult for Jeremiah to tell the Israelites about their potential destruction, knowing it would be a harsh thing for them to hear. The priests and prophets even desire his death, but he is spared because the congregation sees that he "[spoke] to [them] in the name of the LORD our God" (Jeremiah 26:16). Jeremiah remains faithful and fights for obedience, pointing to God's promise to "relent of disaster" (Jeremiah 26:3) if they obey and repent. This is God's strongest desire: for humans to realize their sinfulness and live in communion with him. This desire is displayed in 2 Peter 3:9 (emphasis added), "The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance."
This God-given deliverance is then recognized by the congregation when they recall God saving Judah under King Hezekiah. Hezekiah heard the word of the Lord and listened to him, resulting in the Lord relenting from the disaster he had pronounced against Judah (Jeremiah 26:19). It was difficult for Hezekiah to believe and stand against Assyria, but his trust in the Lord led to victory, and the Lord counts him as righteous for his faith (2 Kings 18:3).
Through Jeremiah's prophecy and Hezekiah's response, we can see that the Lord has always provided an opportunity for repentance and salvation regardless of our past sins, and he will deliver those who call upon his name. It may be difficult, but it is worth it to believe and represent God in harsh circumstances.
This month's memory verse
"But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."
– Lamentations 3:21-23
Discussion Questions
1. How do you see God differently during difficult circumstances that you might not understand?
2. When is it hardest for you to remain faithful to God? Is it in a certain place or maybe around certain people?
3. How have you seen God remain patient during your own unfaithfulness?