Jer 26:16 | KingComments | STEP | The officials and all the people are convinced of Jeremiah’s innocence ( ). Here again the people agree with the officials. The popular masses change their minds so easily (cf. ). We also see this in their assessment of the Lord Jesus, but in reverse. First they shout: “Hosanna! BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD” ( ), and five days later they cry out: “Away with [Him], away with [Him], crucify Him!” ( ). The officials turn to the accusers, the priests and the prophets. They acquit Jeremiah before them of the charges and affirm the truth of what he said. They acknowledge him as a man who spoke to them in the Name of the LORD. This is different from how it went with the Lord Jesus. Although Pilate says several times of Him that He has done nothing that deserves death, the people, led by the priests, demand that He will be put to death. Pilate grants that demand. The officials are joined in their assessment of Jeremiah by men from among the elders of the land ( ). These point to a similar case from the history of God’s people in which also was preached against the temple. We would say: they know their Bible and know how to quote from it the right thing at the right time. They recall the prophet Micah from Moresheth ( ), who prophesied in the days of Hezekiah with words similar to what Jeremiah said ( ) and they quote the words of Micah ( ). Like the elders, we too should not reject a faithful preacher of the Word, but receive him, even if his message does not immediately please us. The elders point to Hezekiah’s response to Micah’s preaching. They do so in the form of a few questions to which only one answer is possible. Doing it this way forces the hearers to give that answer themselves. Hezekiah and all Judah did not put Micah to death, because he feared the LORD ( ). Hezekiah also took the message to heart, for he sought the LORD’s favor to avert evil. The last words of the elders are a warning. They acknowledge that they are in the process of doing themselves a great harm by their rejection of Jeremiah. The question is whether there is also a real work in the conscience. Quoting God’s Word is good. It keeps from committing a crime. But is this done so as not to get into trouble themselves or is it done out of a convinced conscience before God? They are indeed doing a great evil to themselves. But where is the awareness that they are in the process of doing great dishonor to God by not listening to Him?

‏ Jeremiah 26:16

Release of Jeremiah

The officials and all the people are convinced of Jeremiah’s innocence (Jer 26:16). Here again the people agree with the officials. The popular masses change their minds so easily (cf. Jer 26:9). We also see this in their assessment of the Lord Jesus, but in reverse. First they shout: “Hosanna! BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD” (Jn 12:13), and five days later they cry out: “Away with [Him], away with [Him], crucify Him!” (Jn 19:15).

The officials turn to the accusers, the priests and the prophets. They acquit Jeremiah before them of the charges and affirm the truth of what he said. They acknowledge him as a man who spoke to them in the Name of the LORD. This is different from how it went with the Lord Jesus. Although Pilate says several times of Him that He has done nothing that deserves death, the people, led by the priests, demand that He will be put to death. Pilate grants that demand.

The officials are joined in their assessment of Jeremiah by men from among the elders of the land (Jer 26:17). These point to a similar case from the history of God’s people in which also was preached against the temple. We would say: they know their Bible and know how to quote from it the right thing at the right time. They recall the prophet Micah from Moresheth (Mic 1:1), who prophesied in the days of Hezekiah with words similar to what Jeremiah said (Jer 26:18) and they quote the words of Micah (Mic 3:12). Like the elders, we too should not reject a faithful preacher of the Word, but receive him, even if his message does not immediately please us.

The elders point to Hezekiah’s response to Micah’s preaching. They do so in the form of a few questions to which only one answer is possible. Doing it this way forces the hearers to give that answer themselves. Hezekiah and all Judah did not put Micah to death, because he feared the LORD (Jer 26:19). Hezekiah also took the message to heart, for he sought the LORD’s favor to avert evil.

The last words of the elders are a warning. They acknowledge that they are in the process of doing themselves a great harm by their rejection of Jeremiah. The question is whether there is also a real work in the conscience. Quoting God’s Word is good. It keeps from committing a crime. But is this done so as not to get into trouble themselves or is it done out of a convinced conscience before God? They are indeed doing a great evil to themselves. But where is the awareness that they are in the process of doing great dishonor to God by not listening to Him?