Read: Jeremiah 26:1-27:22; 2 Thessalonians 3: 1-18; Psalm 85:1-13; Proverbs 25:16
God sent Jeremiah to the court of the Lord’s house to speak to those entering in to worship. He was to tell them to turn from their evil ways so the Lord wouldn’t have to destroy them. If not, he would make this house like Shiloh, that was destroyed when Israel was taken, and this city a curse.
When Jeremiah finished his word, the priests and prophets and all the people arrested him for saying would happen to the temple and the city.
The political officials took their seat to judge the situation. The priests and prophets said that Jeremiah deserved to die for what he said. Jeremiah defended himself saying God had told him to say what he said and begged them to repent. Then he surrendered himself to them reminding them that if they killed him they would be bringing innocent blood upon themselves and this city because God had truly told him to prophecy what he said.
The officials with the backing of the people told the priests and the prophets that Jeremiah did not deserve to die because he spoke in the name of the Lord. He reminded them of Micah who prophesied in the days of Hezekiah and said similar words. Hezekiah did not put Micah to death but feared the Lord and repented. They did not want to bring disaster upon themselves.
Another prophet, Uriah prophesied the same and King Jehoiakim was going to kill him, so he fled to Egypt. Jehoiakim had him brought back and killed. God was with Jeremiah and he was not given over to be killed.
When Zedekiah began to reign, God gave Jeremiah another word. He told Jeremiah to wear a yoke with bars on his neck. He was to send word to the king of Edom, Moab, Tyre, and Sidon and tell them that God who made the earth will give their land to Nebuchadnezzar. All the nations of the earth will serve Nebuchadnezzar, and his son and his grandson. Then, many nations will make him their slave. Any nation who refuses to serve Nebuchadnezzar will be put under his yoke and God will punish that nation with war, famine, and pestilence until it is consumed.
He told them not to listen to their sorcerers and fortune-tellers who were telling them lies. If they refuse to surrender, they would be removed from their land and God would drive them out and they would perish. But if they come under the rule of Babylon and serve him, God would leave them in their own land to live and work there.
Jeremiah told Zedekiah to do the same and surrender to Babylon. The warned them not to listen to their false prophets and sorcerers. They were saying that the things Babylon had taken when they came the first time would be returned shortly. This was not true. Babylon would return and take the pillars, the sea and the rest of the vessels in the Temple and they would not return until God declares them to return. Then they would all be restored back to Jerusalem.
In Thessalonians, Paul encouraged them to guard against the evil one, Satan. Paul was confident that they would do the right thing. He prayed that the Lord would direct their hearts to the love of God and the steadfastness of Christ.
Paul warned them against being idle and hanging with those who were idle. God has called us to be busy about his work and not busybodies.
Lord, may your peace be with us to work in your kingdom without fear or malice. May your grace be with us all.
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