May 31st, 2011
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

Faithfulness and Success

Please see the links to our EXTRA Bible Study notes at the bottom of the page.

Opening Prayer

Wonderful and loving God, I praise You, I worship You, I thank You, I wait for Your Word to me.

Read JEREMIAH 26:1-24

[1] Early in the reign of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah, this word came from the LORD: [2] “This is what the LORD says: Stand in the courtyard of the LORD’s house and speak to all the people of the towns of Judah who come to worship in the house of the LORD. Tell them everything I command you; do not omit a word. [3] Perhaps they will listen and each will turn from his evil way. Then I will relent and not bring on them the disaster I was planning because of the evil they have done. [4] Say to them, ‘This is what the LORD says: If you do not listen to me and follow my law, which I have set before you, [5] and if you do not listen to the words of my servants the prophets, whom I have sent to you again and again (though you have not listened), [6] then I will make this house like Shiloh and this city an object of cursing among all the nations of the earth.'” [7] The priests, the prophets and all the people heard Jeremiah speak these words in the house of the LORD. [8] But as soon as Jeremiah finished telling all the people everything the LORD had commanded him to say, the priests, the prophets and all the people seized him and said, “You must die! [9] Why do you prophesy in the LORD’s name that this house will be like Shiloh and this city will be desolate and deserted?” And all the people crowded around Jeremiah in the house of the LORD. [10] When the officials of Judah heard about these things, they went up from the royal palace to the house of the LORD and took their places at the entrance of the New Gate of the LORD’s house. [11] Then the priests and the prophets said to the officials and all the people, “This man should be sentenced to death because he has prophesied against this city. You have heard it with your own ears!” [12] Then Jeremiah said to all the officials and all the people: “The LORD sent me to prophesy against this house and this city all the things you have heard. [13] Now reform your ways and your actions and obey the LORD your God. Then the LORD will relent and not bring the disaster he has pronounced against you. [14] As for me, I am in your hands; do with me whatever you think is good and right. [15] Be assured, however, that if you put me to death, you will bring the guilt of innocent blood on yourselves and on this city and on those who live in it, for in truth the LORD has sent me to you to speak all these words in your hearing.” [16] Then the officials and all the people said to the priests and the prophets, “This man should not be sentenced to death! He has spoken to us in the name of the LORD our God.” [17] Some of the elders of the land stepped forward and said to the entire assembly of people, [18] “Micah of Moresheth prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah. He told all the people of Judah, ‘This is what the LORD Almighty says: “‘Zion will be plowed like a field, Jerusalem will become a heap of rubble, the temple hill a mound overgrown with thickets.’ [19] “Did Hezekiah king of Judah or anyone else in Judah put him to death? Did not Hezekiah fear the LORD and seek his favor? And did not the LORD relent, so that he did not bring the disaster he pronounced against them? We are about to bring a terrible disaster on ourselves!” [20] (Now Uriah son of Shemaiah from Kiriath Jearim was another man who prophesied in the name of the LORD; he prophesied the same things against this city and this land as Jeremiah did. [21] When King Jehoiakim and all his officers and officials heard his words, the king sought to put him to death. But Uriah heard of it and fled in fear to Egypt. [22] King Jehoiakim, however, sent Elnathan son of Acbor to Egypt, along with some other men. [23] They brought Uriah out of Egypt and took him to King Jehoiakim, who had him struck down with a sword and his body thrown into the burial place of the common people.) [24] Furthermore, Ahikam son of Shaphan supported Jeremiah, and so he was not handed over to the people to be put to death.

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

Meditate

“God’s agenda for our lives may be different from our own. He cares more about our character than our convenience, comfort, or cash” (Joseph Stowell).

Think Further

Yesterday we noted the hand of God in the affairs of nations. Discerning that hand at work, though, is easier said than done. Sooner or later, therefore, the prophet comes into focus as part of the message. In a flashback to an earlier time in Jeremiah’s ministry, this chapter brings a change in pace from the unrelenting oracles to a moment with the man who finds the energy to keep delivering them. Several things stand out about him. First, he is obedient to God even if that leads to challenging the heart of the establishment in “the courtyard of the Lord’s house” (2).

Second, Jeremiah stays “on message.” It is so easy to become distracted by our own circumstances and interests and our desire to please or get ahead. Any preacher is aware of all the little cross-currents that so easily dilute a message. When Jeremiah inevitably comes to the attention of the officials whom his message insults, he takes his stand in his confidence in the justice and truth of God (15). When a leader is able to maintain purity of motive, this in turn enables him or her to hand the results of ministry over to God. It is ultimately God’s work, not Jeremiah’s.

Third, personal integrity and faithfulness turned out to be Jeremiah’s best defense. The “secular” officials could see the transparency of God’s message embodied in the prophet, even if their religious leaders could not (16). Some of the old-timers then noted from history the folly of rejecting a message because it is unpopular or unpleasant (18,19). At the same time, either the narrator or the elders themselves remember from the experience of the obscure Uriah (20-23) that faithfulness does not guarantee success. Yet faithfulness is still what God asks of Jeremiah and of us.

Apply

Pray for and encourage somebody you know whose faithfulness seems to be leading him or her into trouble. Pray to stay faithful yourself.

Closing prayer

Lord, I know You’re working to form me more fully in Your likeness. Form peace from my frustration, courage from my struggles, and love from my relationships.

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