PART THREE LIFE & TIMES OF JEREMIAH JEREMIAH 26-45 211 Introduction to Chapters 26-45 Unique among the prophetic scrolls is the interest shown in the life and times of the prophet Jeremiah. This is not surprising when we consider that his ministry coincided with the final years of the Davidic dynasty in Judah. Jeremiah spoke for God during the tragic reigns of Jehoiakim (609-598), and Zedekiah (597-587), years which saw the devastation of Judah and the siege and capture of Jerusalem by the Babylonian army (598-597), and the second siege and destruction of Jerusalem and its temple in 588-587. Those taken off into exile in Babylon, and those who returned to rebuild the temple and their religion in the small province of Yehud within the vast Persian Empire, wanted to record the extraordinary ministry of this lone prophet who stood out against the leaders, the priests and the court prophets of his generation, and who alone spoke the truth. People wanted not to forget Jeremiah and his inspired words, lest they would see a repeat of the catastrophes he witnessed. Part One of the scroll (chapters 1-25) focuses on Jeremiah’s words with only a few refer- ences to their historical setting (see 1:1-3; 19:1-2; 20:1-3; 21:1-2; 24:1 and 25:1). Much of it consisted in threats of divine justice because of the people’s infidelity. This was ‘balanced’ in Part Two (Chapters 25:15-38 and Chapters 46-51). God is just, so Judah’s enemies would also be punished for their behaviour. It is here in Part Three (chapters 26-45) and in the Epilogue (chapter 52) that we see the interest of the scribes in the life and times of the prophet. If we exclude chapters 30-31 which form a special insertion, these chapters make up a third of the whole scroll. To read these stories is not unlike reading Shakespeare’s Richard III. Some of the char- acteristics of Richard III in the play, and some of the situations dramatised, may well coincide with the life and times of the historical Richard III. But the drama cannot be read as a straight-out historical account. Shakespeare uses his creative artistic talent to present Richard III in a way that enables him to connect with his audience and invite them to examine their own lives. Much the same should be said of the authors of Part Three. They no doubt draw on events that have been handed down in the tradition, but the character Jeremiah (as distinct from the Jeremiah of history) is being presented to portray what were considered essential elements of Yahwism to the exiles in Babylon and to the inhabitants of Yehud in the post-exilic period. Different ‘schools’ stressed different aspects of this, and we will find here, as in other parts of the scroll, unresolved inconsistencies that witness to the debates and arguments that went into the genesis of the text (see Introduction pages 8-9). 212 1. CONFLICTS with ‘PROPHETS’ JEREMIAH 26:1 - 29:32 213 Jeremiah threatened with death 1At the beginning of the reign Chapter 26 gives us the most detailed descrip- of King Jehoiakim son of Josiah tion of a trial in the Older Testament. We are of Judah, this word came from at the beginning of Jehoiakim’s reign (609- YHWH: 2Thus says YHWH: Stand 608), and so early in the prophetic ministry in the court of YHWH’s house, of Jeremiah. Verse 2 and verses 4-6 link this and speak to all the cities of occasion with Jeremiah’s declaration presented Judah that come to worship in the in chapter 7. It sets the scene for the difficult house of YHWH; speak to them relationship that Jeremiah had with the authori- all the words that I command ties and the people of Judah throughout his you; do not hold back a word. 3It prophetic career. may be that they will listen, all Jeremiah is instructed by God not to keep silent, of them, and will turn from their but to declare every word of God, however evil way, that I may change my unwelcome (verse 2). His message is a threat- mind about the disaster that I ening one. He does hold out the possibility of intend to bring on them because avoiding the catastrophe that is coming, but 4 of their evil doings. You shall only if the people change their mind and heart say to them: Thus says YHWH: If and behaviour. If they don’t God would see that you will not listen to me, to walk the temple would suffer the same fate as the in my law that I have set before shrine of Shiloh (see Psalm 78:60). you, 5and to heed the words of my servants the prophets whom His words put the priests and cult prophets I send to you urgently—though attached to the sanctuary and the crowd into you have not heeded— 6then I a rage (verses 7-9). To curse YHWH’s city will make this house like Shiloh, and temple is to blaspheme against YHWH. and I will make this city a curse This is a capital offence (see 1Kings 21:10, for all the nations of the earth. 13; Deuteronomy 18:20). Had not God given them the following assurance?: 7The priests and the prophets and all the people heard Jeremiah This is my resting place forever; here I will reside, for I have desired it. speaking these words in the house of YHWH. 8And when Jer- – Psalm 132:14 emiah had finished speaking all Tragically they hear the threat presented by that YHWH had commanded him Jeremiah, but they fail to hear how they could to speak to all the people, then avoid it: they fail to hear what he says about the priests and the prophets and repentance (compare their words in verse 9 all the people laid hold of him, with Jeremiah’s words in verse 4). saying, “You shall die! 9Why have We have already read, earlier in the scroll, that you prophesied in the name of the opposition Jeremiah suffered here from the YHWH, saying, ‘This house shall priests and the prophets set a pattern for the be like Shiloh, and this city shall whole of his prophetic ministry (see 4:9; 5:31; be desolate, without inhabitant’?” 6:13; 14:18; 23:11). And all the people gathered around Jeremiah in the house of YHWH. 214 Jeremiah 26:10-16 [Greek 33:10-16] Jeremiah is brought before those responsible 10When the officials of Judah heard for justice and accused of treason (‘he has these things, they came up from prophesied against this city’(verse 11). the king’s house to the house of YHWH and took their seat in the entry of the New Gate of the house of YHWH. 11Then the priests and the prophets said to the officials and to all the people, “This man should be tried on an capital charge because he has prophesied against this city, as you have heard with your own ears.” In verses 12-15, Jeremiah asserts that the 12Then Jeremiah spoke to all the of- word he has spoken is not his own but ficials and all the people, saying, “It comes ‘in truth’(verse 15) from YHWH. He is YHWH who sent me to prophesy repeats the call for the people to ‘amend your against this house and this city all ways’(verse 13). He declares his innocence the words you have heard. 13Now (verse 15) and reminds the officials that if therefore amend your ways and they do put him to death the ‘city and its your doings, and obey the voice of inhabitants’ will suffer the consequences. YHWH your God, and YHWH will change his mind about the disaster that he has pronounced against you. 14But as for me, here I am in your hands. Do with me as seems good and right to you. 15Only know for certain that if you put me to death, you will be bringing innocent blood upon yourselves and upon this city and its inhabitants, for in truth YHWH sent me to you to speak all these words in your ears.” Jeremiah’s defence persuaded the court to 16 rule in his favour: ‘he has spoken to us in Then the officials and all the peo- the name of YHWH our God’(verse 16). ple said to the priests and the proph- ets, “This man does not deserve the sentence of death, for he has spoken to us in the name of YHWH our God.” 215 Jeremiah escapes death 17And some of the elders of the ‘Elders of the land’ (so not part of the city land arose and said to all the as- establishment) bring up a precedent from the sembled people, 18“Micah of tradition. In the time of King Hezekiah, the Moresheth, who prophesied dur- prophet Micah (see Micah 3:12) had threat- ing the days of King Hezekiah ened punishment from YHWH. They did not of Judah, said to all the people of kill Micah. Instead they listened to him and Judah: ‘Thus says YHWH of hosts: repented and so averted the threatened punish- Zion shall be plowed as a field; ment. The elders support the acquittal. They Jerusalem shall become a heap should not run the risk of opposing YHWH. of ruins,and the mountain of the house a wooded height.’ 19Did King Hezekiah of Judah or anyone else in Judah actually put him to death? Did he not fear YHWH and entreat the favour of YHWH, and did not YHWH change his mind about the disaster that he had pronounced against them? But we are about to Verses 20-23 tell the story of Uriah, an bring great disaster on ourselves!” otherwise unknown prophet whose mes- 20 There was another man prophesy- sage was similar to that of Jeremiah.