Jeremiah’s Suffering II: True vs. False Preaching
(26-29)
Introduction
1. Previous sections in the book emphasized the content of
Jeremiah’s preaching and his struggles with it.
2. This section focuses on various reactions to Jeremiah’s
preaching among the people and leaders of Judah.
I.
Persecuted Preaching: Suffer under Babylon (26:1-24)
A.
Jeremiah’s Discourse (26:1-6)
1.
Early in King Jehoiakim’s reign, Jeremiah was sent to the Temple to
preach to its visitors. 26:1-6
a)
Perhaps this was at a major feast, since people from all cities in Judah
would be there.
b)
The preaching was to inspire repentance so that the calamity God planned
might be averted.
2.
If the people continued to reject God’s message, He would make Jerusalem
like Shiloh.
a)
The tabernacle had resided at Shiloh during the days of the judges. (cf.
Jos. 19:51; 1Sa. 1:3)
b)
Apparently, Shiloh had been destroyed by the Philistines at the end of
that period.
B.
Jeremiah’s Detainment (26:7-11)
1.
Jeremiah’s preaching elicited quite a response; he was seized and brought
to trial.
a)
The Jews were unwilling to believe that God would bring destruction on
the Temple.
b)
Jeremiah’s reference to Shiloh was an offensive, and incontrovertible,
argument.
2.
The people, apparently including the priests and prophets, insisted
Jeremiah be executed. 26:11
C.
Jeremiah’s Defense (26:12-15)
1.
Jeremiah made four important points to the people in defending himself
against his accusers.
a)
His message was given to him by Jehovah. 26:12
b)
The people should repent and obey God in order to avoid the promised
doom. 26:13
c)
He would not resist their actions; he would accept their judgment.
26:14
d)
But if they executed him, they would be guilty before God of innocent
blood. 26:15
2.
This is a powerful and very courageous defense made by the prophet under
threat of death.
a)
He did not diminish his preaching by softening his words or compromising
God’s message.
b)
He continued to exhort his hearers to repent since they were the ones
about to die.
c)
He was ready to die for the truth he was preaching rather than compromise
conviction.
d)
He willingly committed himself to God’s care; the LORD would vindicate
His truth.
D.
Jeremiah’s Deliverance (26:16-19)
1.
Jeremiah’s defense worked as certain princes and elders of the people
rose to his defense.
a)
If Jeremiah spoke for God, they reasoned, he should not be put to death.
b)
More than that, Micah had prophesied the same, but Hezekiah did not
execute him. 26:17-19
2.
The elders reasoned that the people were doing great evil to themselves
by harming Jeremiah.
E.
Jeremiah’s Danger (26:20-24)
1.
A note at the end of the chapter illustrates the very real danger
Jeremiah faced.
a)
This may have been inserted as illustrative of the climate faithful
preachers faced.
b)
Or this may have been part of the elders’ defense of Jeremiah, as a
contrast to Hezekiah.
2.
Jehoiakim killed another faithful preacher for speaking God’s word.
26:20-23
3.
Ahikam, who had served King Josiah, was
instrumental in saving Jeremiah. 26:24 (2Ki. 22:12ff)
II.
Political Preaching: Submit to Babylon (27:1-28:17)
A.
The Command: Accept the Yoke of Babylon (27:1-22)
1.
Chapter twenty-seven records another object lesson: a wooden yoke worn by
Jeremiah. 27:1-11
a)
King Jehoiakim mentioned in verse one should apparently read King
Zedekiah. (cf. 28:1)
b)
The message was sent to the neighboring nations and to King Zedekiah of
Judah. 27:12-15
2.
Jeremiah also preached to the people saying Babylon would carry away the
Temple objects.
a)
The Jews thought that Jehovah would never destroy His Temple.
b)
Their ignorance of history led to an unscriptural theology. (cf. 1Sa.
4:10-11; 1Ki. 8:46-52)
B.
The Contradiction: Cast Off the Yoke of Babylon (28:1-11)
1.
The same year, a man named Hananiah contradicted Jeremiah’s preaching.
28:1-4
a)
God would break the yoke of Babylon and restore the captives within two
full years.
b)
Hananiah’s message was just what the people wanted to hear, but it was
not God’s message.
2.
Jeremiah acknowledged the desire for Hananiah’s message to be true, but
gave warning. 28:5-9
a)
Hananiah’s preaching was not consistent with the pattern of preaching
sent forth by God.
b)
Only if his predictions came true would his inspiration would be
vindicated.
3.
Hananiah took the wooden yoke off of Jeremiah and boldly broke it before
the people.
a)
He proclaimed, “Thus will God break Nebuchadnezzar’s power over the
nations.”
b)
Jeremiah left; he did not respond to Hananiah until God gave him an
appropriate response.
C.
The Condemnation: Now Wear a Yoke of Iron (28:12-17)
1.
God spoke to Jeremiah and gave the prophet a message for Hananiah.
28:12-16
a)
The wooden yoke that Hananiah had broken would now be remade of iron.
b)
Hananiah had not been sent by Jehovah; he spoke lies in the name of the
LORD.
c)
Hananiah would die because his words taught people to rebel against God’s
will.
2.
Two months later, Hananiah died, vindicating Jeremiah’s preaching and
disproving his own.
III.
Practical Preaching: Serve Babylon (29:1-32)
A.
Jeremiah’s Letter to the Captives (29:1-23)
1.
Correspondence was ongoing between Judah and the captives taken to
Babylon with Jeconiah.
a)
God used this opportunity to send a letter by Jeremiah to the people in
Babylon.
b)
The letter clarified God’s purpose and will for the captives hoping for a
swift return.
2.
Jehovah told the captives:
a)
Live in Babylon – Build houses, plant crops, and raise families 29:4-6
b)
Seek peace for Babylon – Pray to God for its welfare 29:7
c)
Trust in God’s goodness – After seventy years, God will bring His people
home 29:10-14
3.
False prophets were also at work among the captives, promising they would
soon be going home.
a)
God condemned such preachers, warning His judgment was not yet complete
against Judah.
b)
Two such false prophets would be burned in Babylon to vindicate God’s
truth. 29:21-23
B.
Jeremiah’s Letter to Shemaiah (29:24-32)
1.
Jeremiah’s preaching caused controversy among the captives in Babylon as
it did in Judah.
a)
Shemaiah wrote and criticized Zephaniah for not locking up such madmen.
29:26-28
b)
Instead of obeying Shemaiah’s instructions, Zephaniah the priest read the
letter to Jeremiah.
2.
God inspired Jeremiah to reply to Shemaiah’s letter assuring the captives
his preaching was a lie.
IV.
Applications
A.
The Truth, The Whole Truth
1.
When he was sent to preach in the Temple, Jeremiah was told not to
diminish/omit a word. 26:2
a)
Men can preach for a lifetime and never say anything untrue without ever
speaking the truth.
b)
Preaching the truth demands that we preach not only what is true but what
is needed today.
2.
“Truth is not only violated by falsehood; it may be equally outraged
by silence.” (Amiel)
B.
False Teachers and False Teaching
1.
The false prophets in Jeremiah’s day were not merely mistaken, they were
dishonest.
a)
They claimed inspiration, but God had not spoken to them or through them.
b)
God severely condemned their teaching. 27:14-15; 28:8-9, 15-16;
29:8-9, 31-32
2.
False teaching, intentional or not, teaches men to trust lies and
encourages rebellion against God.
C.
Chastening and Conversion
1.
God did not intend to merely put the Jews in “time-out” and then bring
them back. 29:10-14
2.
The LORD intended their chastening to bring about true repentance and
conversion.
3.
God will restore us and exalt us, but we must seek Him with our whole
heart.
Conclusion
1. Jeremiah was a man who preached God’s truth carefully
and sincerely, despite its negative consequences.
2. Few will appreciate true, Biblical preaching, but then
as now, only God’s truth can save. (cf. Jn. 8:32)