JEREMIAH 26 - Jeremiah threatened with death 

OVERVIEW

• Technically, Jeremiah chapter 26 precedes chapter 25 by a few years but the person compiling this book saw the common thread of Jeremiah’s warning to false prophets  <C32>

NOTES BY VERSE

Note: each ** comment in this document is listed in numerical order according to the verse(s) from this chapter

** We are encouraged to follow Jeremiah’s example to speak up even though we know no one will listen and we will lose the battle  <K110>

• Jeremiah saw the death of his nation yet had a burning sensation from the Lord to speak anyway

• God wants us to speak, so we speak; ask others to pray for you to that end

• God will not only be with us in our endeavors but provide the needed words!

Jeremiah 1:6-8 NIV

[6] “Alas, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.” [7] But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, 'I am too young.' You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. [8] Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.

Jeremiah 6:10 NIV

[10] To whom can I speak and give warning? Who will listen to me? Their ears are closed so they cannot hear. The word of the Lord is offensive to them; they find no pleasure in it.

Jeremiah 20:8 NIV

[8] Whenever I speak, I cry out proclaiming violence and destruction. So the word of the Lord has brought me insult and reproach all day long.

Jeremiah 26:2,7-8 NIV

[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. [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!

1 Peter 4:14 NIV

[14] If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.

Ephesians 6:19 NIV

[19] Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel

** Even when Jeremiah was threatened with death, he did not water-down the message God wanted him to proclaim; Jeremiah did not compromise the message but displayed tremendous spiritual courage while faced with death

Jeremiah 26:10-14 NIV

[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.

** The leaders clear Jeremiah by example of Micah, Uriah and Ahikam

Jeremiah 26:16,18,20,24 NIV

[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.” [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.' [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. [24] Furthermore, Ahikam son of Shaphan supported Jeremiah, and so he was not handed over to the people to be put to death.