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Jeremiah 26

24 verses

TL;DR

Jeremiah delivers a prophetic warning to Judah, predicting the city’s destruction unless the people repent, and faces opposition that nearly leads to his death.

Summary

Jeremiah is commissioned by the LORD to stand in the court of the LORD’s house and declare to the people of Judah that if they do not heed God’s law, the city will be like Shiloh and become a curse to all nations. He repeats the Lord’s message, citing the failure of previous prophets and urging the people to turn from evil. The priests, prophets, and the assembled people reject him, saying he deserves death. Jeremiah counters, reminding them he speaks in God’s name, and warns that killing him will bring guilt upon them. The princes, priests, and people argue over his worthiness; some defend him as a holy messenger. A reference to earlier prophets, Micah and Urijah, is made to highlight past warnings and the king’s intent to kill them. Finally, the king’s son Ahikam intercedes, preventing Jeremiah’s execution.

Outline
  1. Jeremiah’s prophetic commission and warning to Judah
  2. Opposition and debate over Jeremiah’s fate
  3. King’s attempt to kill Jeremiah and Ahikam’s intervention
Themes
Prophecy and divine warningPersecution of prophetsRepentance and divine mercy
Keywords
prophecyjudgmentrepentancecitypriestkingLord
People
JeremiahJehoiakimJosiahPriestsProphetsPrincesMicahUrijahElnathanAhikamShaphan
Places
Court of the LORD’s houseShilohJerusalemJudahEgyptKirjathjearim
Things
Shilohcursewords of the LORDprophetic messagedead body in common graves
Key Verses
  • Jeremiah 26:1: Introduction of Jeremiah’s commission
  • Jeremiah 26:6: God’s threat of destruction if people refuse to repent
  • Jeremiah 26:13: Jeremiah’s appeal for repentance and warning of consequences
  • Jeremiah 26:24: Ahikam’s intervention to save Jeremiah
Questions
  • What does Jeremiah’s warning tell us about the nature of divine judgment?
  • How does the reaction of the priests and the people illustrate the tension between faith and fear?
  • In what ways does Ahikam’s defense of Jeremiah reflect the role of individuals in protecting prophetic truth?
  • What parallels can be drawn between Jeremiah’s experience and that of earlier prophets like Micah and Urijah?
  • How does the chapter address the concept of “cursing” a city, and what does that imply about its future?
Sentiment

mixed
The chapter contains threatening and hopeful tones, reflecting conflict and divine promise.