TAWG - May 4, 2025 - Jeremiah 26:1-24
May 4, 2025

Jeremiah 26:1-24

26:1-45:5 | The recurring theme in this section of the book is that Judah did not listen to, obey, or heed the Word of the Lord.

26:1-24 | This message, delivered around the time that Jehoiakim came to the throne in 609 BC, is likely Jeremiah’s temple sermon recorded in chapter 7.

26:3-7 | At this point in Jeremiah’s ministry, it was still possible for Judah to turn from their sinful ways and to avoid the judgment the Lord planned. One of Israel’s central confessions about the Lord was that He was “merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness” (Ex. 34:6; Isa. 1:16-19).

26:8-9 | The people, priests, and prophets call for Jeremiah’s death for preaching against the temple. They likely believed that Jeremiah should be executed as a blasphemer or false prophet for daring to speak against the Lord’s house, as was Jesus (Lev. 24:16; Deut. 18:20; Mark 14:58).

26:20-24 | Jehoiakim’s execution of the prophet Urijah in the scene that follows reflects his wickedness and hostility toward the Word of God. An angry response to the preaching of God’s Word is often the reflection of a guilty conscience. Urijah’s only crime was faithfully proclaiming the same message of judgment as Jeremiah. Jesus would later remind Israel that they were guilty of the blood of the prophets from Abel to Zechariah (Luke 11:47-51).

26:24 | Even in times of national apostasy, there were faithful individuals who followed the Lord and took seriously the messages of His prophets.