Saturday, July 30, 2016

Jeremiah 26: 11-16, 24

The priests and prophets said to the princes and to all the people,
“This man deserves death;
he has prophesied against this city,
as you have heard with your own ears.”
Jeremiah gave this answer to the princes and all the people:
“It was the LORD who sent me to prophesy against this house and city
all that you have heard.
Now, therefore, reform your ways and your deeds;
listen to the voice of the LORD your God,
so that the LORD will repent of the evil with which he threatens you.
As for me, I am in your hands;
do with me what you think good and right.
But mark well: if you put me to death,
it is innocent blood you bring on yourselves,
on this city and its citizens.
For in truth it was the LORD who sent me to you,
to speak all these things for you to hear.”

Thereupon the princes and all the people
said to the priests and the prophets,
“This man does not deserve death;
it is in the name of the LORD, our God, that he speaks to us.”

So Ahikam, son of Shaphan, protected Jeremiah,
so that he was not handed over to the people to be put to death.

People do not what to hear the truth. People want to live the way they choose to do so. This reading tells us that those called to speak the word of God will be hated by those who do not want to hear that message. Christians have always been persecuted for their faith. It does not matter what the world does to us. Our time here is short. God remembers those who hear and obey his voice.

This reading also foreshadows the persecution of Jesus. Both were seen as prophets who brought the word of God to their people. The priests were threatened by their message and encouraged the people to put them both to death. The people relented with Jeremiah and he was protected. The priests were successful with Jesus and he was put to death.

If today you hear God’s voice harden not your heart.