“Condemned By The Clergy; Acquitted By The Judiciary!”(Jer.26:1-16&24).
Welcome to Day Twelve of Lent 2023.
God is concerned first with the people who are called by his name. When he sees them doing what is wrong, he sends a true prophet to correct them.
The LORD asked prophet Jeremiah to stand in the courtyard of the LORD and passed on his message to the people. The LORD hoped that “perhaps they will listen and each will turn from his evil way. Then I will relent and not bring on them the dissaster I was planning because of the evil they have done.”
The LORD’s message to the people through Jeremiah was a call to repentance. But the priests and prophets whose interests were threatened by such harsh a message from the LORD incited the people against Jeremiah. They told him, “You must die!…”
Guess who saved Jeremiah! The royal palace had officials who decided on church politics. When these officials heard what was happening they went and took their places at the entrance of the New Gate. “Then the priests and the prophets said to the officials, ‘This man should be sentenced to death because he has prophesied against this city…”
Jeremiah was nonplussed! A prophet who has received a message from the LORD cannot take back his words. Jeremiah told them, “The LORD sent me to prophesy against” you people “all the things that you have heard. Now reform your ways and your actions and obey the LORD your God. Then the LORD will relent and not bring the disaster he has pronounced against you…” Jeremiah placed himself at their mercy and told them that if they kill him, they would bring upon themselves the guilt of innocent blood.
The officials and the people told the priests and the prophets that they did not see any reason why Jeremiah should be killed. “He has spoken to us in the name of the LORD our God.”
Dear friend, this is a drama that is being repeated within space and time.The priests and prophets (men of God) out of self-interest condemns another man of God who has a message from God. He is saved by officials from the palace. The gullible crowd first take sides with the priests and prophets to condemn the Jeremiahs. Then later on they take sides with the officials to say Jeremiahs do not deserve death. The crowd is always fickle!
So you see, the “Touch not my anointed and do my prophet no harm” as understood today is a misnomer. When priests and prophets slander and clamour for the death of another prophet, what then is the meaning of “touch not my anointed…?” We have to watch out against the manipulations of self-interest priests and prophets who would want that another prophet should be killed for standing by the truth.
That notwithstanding, the message of Jeremiah comes to us afresh and in clear accents: “Now reform your ways and your actions and obey the LORD your God. Then the LORD will relent and not bring the disaster he has pronounced against you.”
Prayer: Holy Spirit help me to reform my ways and my actions and obey the LORD my God. Amen!
Have a blessed day! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.