On a Volcano
Then spake the priests and the prophets unto the princes and to all the people, saying, This man is worthy to die; for he hath prophesied against this city, as ye have heard with your ears. Jeremiah 26:11
Read Jeremiah 26:1-11
At the time of our text, Jeremiah has become somewhat older. Meanwhile his fellowman live on undisturbed, as it were, upon a volcano which could erupt at any time. Was that really true? No, not in reality; but, figuratively speaking, this was true for Jehoiakim, one of the last ungodly kings of Judah. It did not get much better under the rule of Jehoiachin and Zedekiah. These last few kings spelled the end of the tribe of Judah. It was during their reign that the Babylonian captivity under the rule of King Nebuchadnezzar, the world power of those days, began.
As a result, the ‘volcanic eruption’ which would be experienced by Judah would mean judgment and captivity for God’s people. Did this message which was made known to the prophet cause him to think that at least it would take place after his lifetime? Or, did he think to himself that he would not be able to do anything about it, so he would just have to let things run their inevitable course?
No! Jeremiah was deeply convinced that the Word of the Lord and His statutes were the proper measuring rod for all of life. That is why he diligently continued warning his people and praying for them. When you are faced with serious circumstances, you ought not to become reclusive either, trying to ignore the situation. Jeremiah called both the rulers and subjects of the nation to return to the statutes of the Lord. Everyone, however, turned against the prophet saying: This man is worthy of death, for he hath prophesied against this city.
Thought: Do you keep the message of the Bible to yourself?
Psalter 206: 2,4,5 (based on Psalm 75) Thy righteous judgment Thou hast said, Shall in due time appear, And Thou who didst establish it, Wilt fill the earth with fear. Jehovah holds a cup of wrath, And holds it not in vain, For all the wicked of the earth Its bitter dregs shall drain. The God of Israel I will praise And all His glory show; The righteous He will high exalt And bring the wicked low.