Jeremiah's Warning Gets Him Into Trouble

By Mary Vee
Jeremiah 26

From the Journals of Jeremiah

Photo Courtesy

Shallum's brother, Eliakim became the new king. He didn't mind doing whatever Pharaoh Neco from Egypt said. 

Eliakim paid Pharaoh Neco the silver and gold he demanded. To get what he needed to pay, Eliakim took the silver and good from the people of Judah. 

Eliakim didn't teach the people to do what God said like his father, Josiah. So, God gave me a message to deliver to King Eliakim. 

The Lord told me to go to the courtyard of the temple and speak to all the people of Judah. He told me to say every word, because maybe the people will listen and turn from their wicked ways. 

I went to the temple and spoke His words, "This message is from God. If you do not listen and follow His laws, and if you do not listen to the prophets whom He have sent to you so many times, then He will make you fools in the eyes of the nations around you."

The priests in the temple didn't like the message. They surrounded me and grabbed my robe, shouting, "You must die! Why did you say those words?"

A messenger ran to the palace and told the official what I had done. The officials left the royal place, hurried to the temple, and stood at the entrance of the New Gate. The priests dragged me to them and yelled, "This man should be sentenced to death because he has prophesied against this city. You heard him!"

God gave me strength to speak. I said, "The Lord sent me to give the message against this city. If you change your ways and obey the Lord, then He will forgive and not bring the disaster he promised against you. As for me, do whatever you think is good. If you put me to death, though, you will bring the guilt of innocent blood on yourselves and the city. In truth, the Lord sent me to you to give that message." 

The officials turned to the priests and said, "This man should not die, He has spoken to us in the name of the Lord our God."

Phew. God spared my life!

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1. Shallum was the son of King Josiah. If Eliakim was Shallum's brother, who was Eliakim's father?
2. Who did Eliakim obey?
3. Why did Eliakim tax the people of Judah?
4. What did he do with the silver and gold?
5. What did the priests do when Jeremiah gave a message from God?
6. What did the officials do when they heard the news?
7. Why did the officials decide to save Jeremiah?