Jeremiah's Warning Gets Him Into Trouble

By Mary Vee
Jeremiah 26

From the Journals of Jeremiah

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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?

The Man Who Loved God More Than Himself

By Mary Vee
Isaiah 22

From the Journals of Isaiah

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In the palace of Hezekiah, king of Judah, there was a servant name Shebna. 

Shebna had a high position, he was a steward. 

Hezekiah trusted Shebna, gave him many important tasks, and put him in charge of the palace.

While doing these important jobs, Shebna became selfish. He wanted people to know exactly how important he was, and he wanted everyone to remember him forever.

God gave him his wish, but not exactly the way he wanted.

Shebna ordered the workers who served him to cut out a grave in the high place. The servants did special chiseling to make the grave look important. 

With such a grave, everyone in all of Judah would see his resting place after he died and always remember how important he was.

Hah. God did not agree with this plan. Only God is to be remembered in this way. Shebna had disgraced Hezekiah's palace by doing this. Hezekiah, the king who had honored God's name and served Him with his whole heart.

I told Hezekiah what God said. Hezekiah called Shebna in and fired him. Shebna lost all the riches and power, and the special burial place he ordered his workers to make.

How did God give Shebna his wish? This story is recorded in the book Isaiah for everyone to read and know. Yes Shebna is remembered, but not the way he wanted. 

Hezekiah appointed Eliakim, the son of Hilkiah to take Shebna's place. Eliakim loved God and worked hard to honor God. Eliakim wore the special robe and sash that once belonged to Shebna. All of Shebna's authority now belonged to Eliakim, a man who truly loved God more than himself.


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1.  What job did Shebna have?
2.  What did he do wrong and why was that wrong?
3.  What  was important to Shebna?
4.  How did God give Shebna his wish?
5.  Who did God give Shebna's job to?
6.  Why did God give this man Shebna's job?