February 12: Paying a price to serve God

We can easily visualize differing cost levels involved in serving God. In one extreme example, Christians pay a terrible, often fatal price while serving God in some Islam–controlled countries in which Islamic law, sharia, mandates the death penalty for all “infidels,” that is, Christians. In our culture it could be a Christian business contractor who refuses to cut quality just to make more money. Christians in some public schools may be forced to be quiet about their Christian convictions. All of these have some guiding principles in common.

Wiley Richards is a retired professor of theology and philosophy at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.

• Taking a position for God often can be a lonely stand (vv. 1-3). The sermon of Jeremiah in today’s study was preached about 608 B.C., during the reign of Jehoiakim, king of Judah. The Chaldean invasion was imminent, but the people of Judah refused to accept what was soon to transpire. God commanded the prophet to stand in the court where people assembled as they came from across the land. God further ordered the prophet to “diminish not a word,” not to tone down the severity of the judgment to come. If the people repented of their evil way, God’s intervention was still possible.

• Coming as somewhat of a shock, Jeremiah learned his was an unpopular stand (vv. 7-9). He could have assumed that members of the priesthood as well as fellow prophets would have stood beside him in calling the nation to repentance. Instead they aroused the people against Jeremiah, promising certain death to him (v. 8). To understand the angry outburst of the people and religious leaders, we must remember two unshakeable beliefs held by the people. The first is, they knew themselves to be God’s Chosen People. He set them apart to be “a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth” (Deut. 7:6). He proved His devotion to them by the miraculous power He displayed in freeing them from bondage in Egypt. Further, He instituted the sacrificial offerings, various feasts, and religious rites to remind them of their covenant bond. Above all else, the temple stood as a constant reminder of God’s presence.

Against all this was a second thread of their history, the inglorious affair at Shiloh, described in 2 Kings 18:13-19:37. In those days, no temple existed. The Ark of the Covenant, the symbol of God’s presence, had fallen into the hands of the Philistines. Deep despair shook Israel during that time. Now, Jeremiah was invoking the moral and spiritual defeat at Shiloh as their coming fate. The people were scandalized at such a shameful suggestion. It was not that they doubted God’s ability to reduce the Jews to such a state of affairs, but that He would not. What Jeremiah preached bordered on heresy, deserving death.

• In spite of their animosity, events proved Jeremiah held a vindicated stand (vv. 10-16). Truth does not depend on the popular vote nor one’s personal popularity. The prophet learned he had some friends in high places. When the “princes of Judah heard about the uproar in the temple courtyard, they left the king’s house and set up court among the people. The people immediately attacked Jeremiah for prophesying the downfall of the city. Jeremiah’s defense was simple and direct. He recounted God’s call for him, and then, preacher that he was, called on the princes to lead the people in a time of national repentance. As for his personal safety, they were welcome to take his life if they wished (v. 14). His words convinced the princes he had said nothing worthy of death.