GRACE BIBLE FELLOWSHIP | 恩道堂

The event in this chapter occurred during the time of the temple address in chapter 7. God prophesies desolation for Jerusalem if they do not repent. Predictions of divine judgment are conditional. The true repentance of the people of Judah at any time before the hour of doom would have been met by God’s willingness to relent from his threatened punishment. However, instead of repenting, they tried to kill the messenger, Jeremiah. This clearly showed they were unrepentant. In the face of death, Jeremiah courageously defended the authenticity of his message.

Upon hearing Jeremiah’s defense, the civil officials and the people decided against the priests and the prophets, who had wanted to kill Jeremiah, and freed Jeremiah. Some elders of Israel, those who were advanced in age and whose words were taken seriously, supported Jeremiah by showing his message concurred with the prophet Micah, who had lived a century ago (Micah 3:12). Hezekiah listened to Micah and was delivered by God, but Jehoiakim did not listen to God but killed His messenger, Uriah. Jehoiakim was not delivered by God but was exiled. Ahikam was a civil leader under Josiah. God used Ahikam’s influence to secure Jeremiah’s freedom.

Jeremiah had many weaknesses, but he trusted God and was strengthened by Him. At the end, he courageously proclaimed God’s word. Pray that you will be like Jeremiah. Even with all your weaknesses, if you trust in God and depend on Him, God will strengthen you and enable you to stand and serve Him.

這章经文描述的事件发生在第七章，即耶利米在圣殿门口宣讲神话语的时候。神预言倘若百姓不悔改，耶路撒冷必成为荒场。这类神圣审判的预言是有条件性的：犹大人只要在神降灾难之前真心悔改，神必然愿意收回祂即将施行的刑罰。然而，他们不但不肯悔改，反倒试图杀害神的使者耶利米。这清楚显示他们仍然执米不悟。另一方面，面临死亡威胁的耶利米仍无所畏惧地为他所传讲的信息辨护。

听了耶利米的申辩，民间首领和百姓一致反对祭司与先知判耶利米死罪，并要求把耶利米释放。几位年迈，其言语又受尊重的以色列长老都支持耶利米，指出他与一百年前的先知弥迦所传达的信息是一致的（弥3:12）。希西家因听从弥迦而蒙神拯救；但约雅敬却不听从神，还杀了祂的使者乌利亚，所以神没拯救他，而且将他放逐。亚希甘是约西亚在位期间的民间首领。神藉着他的影响力保全了耶利米的自由。