Standing firm in the face of Opposition
Notes
Transcript
Handout
In for a confrontation
In for a confrontation
Not everything is in chronological order, this is now going backwards to the time of King Jehoiakim’s reign in about in or about 609BC. This is before any of the Babylonian invasions of 605, 597, and 586.
Big Idea: Faithfulness to God requires courage to proclaim truth, His truth, His word, even amidst fierce confrontation/opposition that Jeremiah will face. We may will because of our true hope is found in Jesus, who faced ultimate rejection but bought our redemption on the cross.
Key theme: Faithfulness to God’s word, even when unpopular, is essential for spiritual integrity.
Simple application: To help us as Christians today to understand the importance of standing firm in our faith amidst opposition. To be courageous in proclaiming the truth and know if people reject you, they are really rejecting God not you.
A brief summary before we read the chapter. Jeremiah is told to speak in the temple God’s words and do not hold back or omit any of the words, repent and God will relent or face judgment. The priests and such do not like the message and they will capture Jeremiah and want to put him to death. They will remember the prophesy of Micah and will spare Jeremiah. Jeremiah will make a defence for his mission and entrusts God with his life. Finally, Jeremiah does find some support.
The Command to Speak
The Command to Speak
1 In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, this word came from the Lord, saying, 2 “Thus says the Lord, ‘Stand in the court of the Lord’s house, and speak to all the cities of Judah who have come to worship in the Lord’s house all the words that I have commanded you to speak to them. Do not omit a word!
3 ‘Perhaps they will listen and everyone will turn from his evil way, that I may repent of the calamity which I am planning to do to them because of the evil of their deeds.’ 4 “And you will say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord, “If you will not listen to Me, to walk in My law which I have set before you,
5 to listen to the words of My servants the prophets, whom I have been sending to you again and again, but you have not listened; 6 then I will make this house like Shiloh, and this city I will make a curse to all the nations of the earth.” ’ ”
Jeremiah received a divine commission to deliver an urgent and potentially life-threatening message. Some serious courage was required to faithfully carry out God’s command in the face of opposition. This foreshadows the ultimate fulfillment in Christ, this is known as a Christology, a picture of Christ’s mission and ultimate sacrifice for truth.
God’s charge: Speak all his words, no omissions
Warning: Temple will be like Shiloh if Judah refuses to listen.
What does God emphasize about Jeremiah’s message in (v.2)? - - - do not omit a word! - - - same is true with the gospel, we cannot omit any part of the gospel
Jeremiah references Shiloh as a warning (v.6), how about a little about that.
God has already Judged a place one chosen for His name, the tabernacle was there, the Ark of the Covenant was there.
Shiloh was destroyed because of persistent sin, sacred space did not protect sinful people.
God’s point, via Jeremiah is the temple is not a a guarantee.
Shiloh teaches that: Past blessings do not guarantee future protection; God’s presence is relational, not mechanical. Unrepentant sin brings consequences — even for God’s people
Consider our commitment, your commitment to God, to God’s truth and your courage to stand firm like Jeremiah, like Jesus. Even if it means standing in the minority.
Boldness in the Face of Bravery
Boldness in the Face of Bravery
Jeremiah makes the bold proclamation omitting nothing despite the looming threat of death from his own people. He trusted himself to God and God’s protect. Again, a Christology how Christ trusted the Father amid relentless opposition. Standing alone against the masses.
7 The priests and the prophets and all the people heard Jeremiah speaking these words in the house of the Lord. 8 When Jeremiah finished speaking all that the Lord had commanded him to speak to all the people, the priests and the prophets and all the people seized him, saying, “You must die!
9 “Why have you prophesied in the name of the Lord saying, ‘This house will be like Shiloh and this city will be desolate, without inhabitant’?” And all the people gathered about 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 sat in the entrance of the New Gate of the Lord’s house.
11 Then the priests and the prophets spoke to the officials and to all the people, saying, “A death sentence for this man! For he has prophesied against this city as you have heard in your hearing.” 12 Then Jeremiah spoke to all the officials and to all the people, saying, “The Lord sent me to prophesy against this house and against this city all the words that you have heard.
13 “Now therefore amend your ways and your deeds and obey the voice of the Lord your God; and the Lord will change His mind about the misfortune which He has pronounced against you. 14 “But as for me, behold, I am in your hands; do with me as is good and right in your sight.
15 “Only know for certain that if you put me to death, you will bring innocent blood on yourselves, and on this city and on its inhabitants; for truly the Lord has sent me to you to speak all these words in your hearing.”
Priests and prophets demand Jeremiah’s death
Officials convene to judge the matter
Jeremiah insists his words are from the Lord.
He appeals for the people to repent
Jeremiah submits his fate to God
Only one question from this section for we already know what the priests and prophets wanted. In Jeremiah’s defence (vv.12-15), what key elements does he include — affirmation of his calling, a call to action, a personal submission, a warning? How do these demonstrate his character?
Remain steadfast in the face of opposition! When facing overwhelming resistance know the Lord is with you and is your strength.
Divine Deliverance from Danger
Divine Deliverance from Danger
Despite fierce opposition, God intervenes through unexpected allies to preserve Jeremiah. Just like our ultimate hope is found in someone we never met, or have seen, Jesus Christ, whose resurrection assures us that God’s truth prevails; even when circumstances appear dire.
16 Then the officials and all the people said to the priests and to the prophets, “No death sentence for this man! For he has spoken to us in the name of the Lord our God.” 17 Then some of the elders of the land rose up and spoke to all the assembly of the people, saying,
18 “Micah of Moresheth prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah; and he spoke to all the people of Judah, saying, ‘Thus the Lord of hosts has said, “Zion will be plowed as a field, And Jerusalem will become ruins, And the mountain of the house as the high places of a forest.” ’
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 the Lord changed His mind about the misfortune which He had pronounced against them? But we are committing a great evil against ourselves.” 20 Indeed, there was also a man who prophesied in the name of the Lord, Uriah the son of Shemaiah from Kiriath-jearim; and he prophesied against this city and against this land words similar to all those of Jeremiah.
21 When King Jehoiakim and all his mighty men and all the officials heard his words, then the king sought to put him to death; but Uriah heard it, and he was afraid and fled and went to Egypt. 22 Then King Jehoiakim sent men to Egypt: Elnathan the son of Achbor and certain men with him went into Egypt.
23 And they brought Uriah from Egypt and led him to King Jehoiakim, who slew him with a sword and cast 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 into the hands of the people to put him to death.
Elders recall Micah’s prophesy.
Hezekiah’s repentance spared Judah.
Uriah prophesied similarly but was killed.
Shows the danger prophets faced
Ahikam protects Jeremiah.
God preserves His messenger.
Applications
Applications
(below is on two slides)
Faithfulness in Witness: Be like Jeremiah, speak God’s truth fully not selectively.
Be Courageous in Opposition: Expect resistance when standing for God’s word, but trust Him with the outcome.
Learn from History: As the elders remembered Micah and Hezekiah, we too must recall past lessons of repentance and mercy.
God’s Protection: Even when threatened, God can raise up allies (like Ahikam) to preserve His servants.
The Takeaways
The Takeaways
God’s word must be spoken faithfully, even when unpopular
Repentance can change the course of judgment
Courageous obedience may bring opposition, but God sustains His messengers.
History teaches us the importance of listening to God’s warnings.
Drawing the conclusion
Drawing the conclusion
This chapter reminds us that proclaiming God’s word, the truth is often costly, but silence is not an option. We are commanded to go into all the world and make disciples (Mt28:18-20). This chapter challenges believers to remain steadfast, trust God’s protection and remember that repentance brings mercy. For us today, for the church today, it is a call to courage, clarity, and conviction in living and sharing God’s word.
