Comments on Jeremiah 26

     This chapter recounts another specific instance of prophecy
and persecution.  With the ascension of Jehoiakim to the throne
of Judah, the Lord has Jeremiah warn Judah of impending disaster
so that they may repent (v. 1-6).  The other priests and prophets
are none too please with what Jeremiah has to tell them and so
they plot to murder him by getting the political leaders and
people of Judah angry at him as well (v. 7-11).  Jeremiah is
taken before them and rebukes them in no uncertain terms, and
warns them if they kill him they are shedding innocent blood (v.
12-14).  The political leaders and people turn on the priests and
prophets and say Jeremiah will not receive the death sentence
because the words he speaks are the words of a prophet, like
Micah.  And, if they hurt him they are committing evil against
themselves (v. 15-19).  

     Verses 20-23 then parenthetically recount a prior incident
where a prophet of the Lord was threatened, went into hiding, was
pursued, taken to king Jehoiakim, slain by him, and buried with
commoners.  Then verse 24 informs us Jeremiah was spared this
fate because someone who was apparently a prominent citizen
supported his cause.  Had it not been for this Jeremiah
apparently would have been murdered.

     Overall, this event portrays the conditions at Jerusalem at
that time.  The priests and prophets who were running the scene
were wholly corrupt and completely adverse to any kind of
reprimand.  And they were perfectly willing to kill to protect
their positions.  This sets the context for the situation
portrayed in 1 Nephi when Lehi is warned to flee Jerusalem.



Copyright © 2002 by S. Kurt Neumiller <kurtn@cybcon.com>.  All rights 
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