Jeremiah 26:2 “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.”
I have always informally thought of the God of the Old Testament as angry and vengeful, quick to strike down those who disobey, but God has been showing me again and again the compassionate nuances of His character in the Old Testament. In these verses He instructs Jeremiah to preach very specifically about what’s going to happen if the people do not return and repent.
Jeremiah 26:3 “Perhaps they will listen and each will turn from their evil ways. Then I will relent and not inflict on them the disaster I was planning because of the evil they have done.”
As you can imagine, it didn’t go over well. People don’t like to admit they are wrong, that they have done things they shouldn’t, haven’t done things they should’ve, aren’t who they hoped. (And by people, I mean me. I’m people. Admitting my abundant flaws is hard. It’s easier to pretend, but that way lies destruction.)
Jeremiah 26:8 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!”
Lord, It is often hard to humble myself before You, but that’s the only way to draw close, and I know when I humble myself, You show me how to draw closer still. Help me to check my ego. Help me to approach Your throne, seeking to be the best that You created me to be. Draw me closer, always, Lord. Amen.
Jeremiah 26:13 “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.”
Have a blessed day.