Jeremiah has been preaching for more than 20 years. Cp 25:1, 3. It is entirely possible that this message is spoken close to the same time. Cp 26:1, 27:12 & 28:1.
In those long years he has preached to an increasingly hostile nation who would not listen. This opposition has not been tacit! Cp 20:2, 10, 11:21. He stands as an example of the great difficulty faced by a faithful servant of God among a people bent on defying the word of the Lord.
I A PUBLIC PROCALMATION OF EVERY WORD OF GOD.
A personal command, v1, 2, 8, 12, 15. At God’s command, Jeremiah stood to proclaim God’s word. Jeremiah acted in the authority of God—in His name, v16. There is no higher authority or warrant than this and it is vital that we have it for our actions. Especially in the context of spiritual duty and service.
A public ministry, v2. He was to make the Temple the scene of his preaching. Some great national assembly was clearly concurrent. Here he could address his message to the inhabitants of every city etc. Cp v7.
All the words, v2. Nothing was to be held back. There was to be no tailoring of his message. He was simply to declare God’s truth fully and faithfully. Diminish > ‘to shave, scrape’. Not a single word was to be pared off. Cp Acts 20:20, 27.
The substance of his message. The simple and much repeated theme was to be preached again. Repent and judgment would be lifted; continue to defy God and He would destroy the Temple and remove His presence from among them. An historical precedent is cited that made his message irrefutable, v6.
II A CHORUS OF OPPOSITION.
A united desire for his death, v8. This opposition occurs in the house of the Lord, v9. A petition is soon presented to the royal house for his condemnation to death. The secular arm of government is to be employed in destroying the man of God.
The ring leaders, v11, 16. It is clear that the prophets and priests led the way in this matter. They make the case for Jeremiah’s death. It is they who are upset because Jeremiah’s words directly conflicted with their own evil ministry that encouraged apostasy. It is a very similar scenario to Matt 27:20.
A battle for the hearts of the people. They are like pawns in this power struggle. They must listen to either the prophets/priests or Jeremiah. They, along with the princes, eventually decide with the prophet, v16.
Jeremiah’s defence, v12-16. He adopts a very simply defence.
He insists on his Divine warrant, v12, 15.
He repeats the essence of his message, v13. Here is an example followed by Paul in his trials! He turns his trial into an occasion to preach! This was clearly of the utmost importance to him.
He resigns his life to any outcome, v14-15. Whatever they did with him, the word was infallible and killing him would only add to their sin and the punishment that was coming. Cp Acts 20:24.
III SUPPORTED BY THE PRINCES AND SOME ELDERS.
Recognition, v16. His authority to speak is recognized. It appears that there still remained some fear of the Lord in the hearts of these men. They would not strike against a man who claimed to be the servant of God. This support is likely very limited and is not to be seen as an endorsement of Jeremiah’s message.
Supporting arguments from history presented, v17-23. Some of the elders of the people rise to address the crowd. Their words are clearly addressed to the people. There are two main arguments made here:
An argument for repentance, v18-19. Hezekiah had been on the throne of Judah a century before. Micah the prophet had preached a similar message that had been heeded. Cp Micah 3:12. These men therefore urge compliance with Jeremiah’s message.
An argument for the protection of the prophet, v20-23. This argument is based on the very recent experience of Urijah. This man had preached the same message as Jeremiah. How he was handled by the King is detailed. Pressure must be applied to the princes etc to prevent the same fate happening to Jeremiah. There was certainly hostility toward the prophet in the royal house!
A royal protector, v24. God provided a protector in the form of Ahikam. He had been on of Josiah’s trusted servants and evidently had some influence. Cp 2Kings 22:12-14.