Jeremiah
Jeremiah, Civil Government
Brian R. Kenyon, Editor
For about the first twenty years of his ministry, Jeremiah preached a message consistent with the reforms implemented by Judah’s good king, Josiah. Josiah became king at the age of eight, and when he was sixteen, he began to seek God (2 Chr. 34:3). Four years later, he commenced reforms in the land (2 Chr. 34:3-7), which were heightened after the book of the law was discovered in the temple around 621 BC (cf. 2 Kgs. 22-23; 2 Chr. 34-35).
Jeremiah was called to be a prophet of God in 627 BC, the “thirteenth year of his [Josiah’s] reign” (Jer. 1:2). It turns out that Jeremiah, especially in the second half of his ministry, was called to preach in what would be God’s final effort to turn His people from sin before Babylon destroyed Jerusalem and deported most of its surviving people.
As long as King Josiah was alive, Jeremiah’s life was not threatened for preaching God’s truth. The prophet’s sermon excerpts of this period are found in Jeremiah 2–8 (627-609 BC). During this time, Jeremiah preached about God’s judgment that would come upon Judah if they did not repent (Jer. 4:5–6:26), even laying out the causes of judgment as being moral corruption (Jer. 5:1-6), sexual impurity (Jer. 5:7-9), traitorous unbelief (Jer. 5:10-18), religious corruption (Jer. 5:19-24), social injustices (Jer. 5:25-29), and corrupt leadership (Jer. 5:30-31).
Jeremiah preached against Judah’s false worship, whether it was their claim to worship God or their blatant idolatry (Jer. 7:1–8:3). They assumed God was obligated to protect and bless His people. Those in Jerusalem thought because the temple was there, they were safe no matter what they did (Jer. 7:1-4). Jeremiah warned them they would learn the hard way if they did not repent (Jer. 8:4-17).
It seems during this time, “While the king was attacking the external and public aspects of idolatry, the preacher would attempt to root out idolatry from the hearts of the people” (James E. Smith 191). Josiah’s reforms were supported with Jeremiah’s preaching.
As long as American government continues as it has with freedom of religion, free-speech, etc., Gospel preachers have little to fear of civil repercussions. Of course, there will always be those who oppose God’s truth, but the strength of national government will not likely enforce efforts to stop it. Let us take advantage of these civil freedoms to glorify God and promote His cause, for we know not if they will last.
The physical well-being of Jeremiah started to turn when good King Josiah was killed. In 609 BC Pharaoh-Necho II, ruler of Egypt, marched north to come to the aid of the faltering Assyrians. Josiah, perhaps eager to avoid being under the control of either Egypt or Assyria, intercepted Necho’s forces at the plain of Megiddo, during which Josiah was slain (2 Kgs. 23; 2 Chr. 35).
The result of this disaster at Megiddo was devastating to Judah. Not only did Judah lose her king, but she consequently fell under Egyptian control for a short time. Judah would never again be free. Four years later, Babylon became her overlord. Josiah’s death also halted whatever reforms he had accomplished since 622 BC.
The aristocracy of the land placed Jehoahaz (Josiah’s son) on the throne. Egyptian Pharaoh Neco did not like Jehoahaz being king, so he deported him to Egypt. Pharaoh Neco selected Jehoiakim, another son of Josiah, as his vassal. Jehoiakim was as evil as his father, Josiah, was righteous.
Since Jeremiah no longer had the support of the king and civil state, his ministry and physical well-being was made miserable. Those who could only dislike Jeremiah now began to plot his death. Thus, during the reign of Jehoiakim, the underlying animosity against Jeremiah boiled over into overt attacks on his life (Jer. 11:18–12:17). The prophet was ready to quit several times (cf. Jer. 12:1-4; 15:15-18; 17:12-18; 18:19-23), and he suffered severe persecution (cf. Jer. 20:1-18).
After Jehoiakim died (possibly of assassination) Jehoiachin (also known as Coniah, Jer. 22:24-30), was placed on the throne shortly before Nebuchadnezzar arrived to besiege Jerusalem. In March 597 BC, Jehoiachin surrendered Jerusalem and then was deported and died in captivity. Nebuchadnezzar placed Zedekiah as his vassal on the throne of Judah. After almost a decade, Zedekiah withheld tribute from Nebuchadnezzar, which eventually resulted in Jerusalem being completely destroyed.
Under these last kings of Judah, Jeremiah suffered persecution. Not only was he imprisoned (Jer 32:1-44; 33:1; 37:15-21; 38:6-13; 39:15-18), but he was also considered a traitor for preaching, by God’s inspiration, that surrendering to Babylon was the only way to survive the destruction of Jerusalem (Jer. 21:8-10).
We do not know when civil government will take a turn for the worse, but we know it can. Perhaps a change in government is the test God wills. Although, like Jeremiah, we may feel like quitting when pressure squeezes, let us not grow weary in well doing, “but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy” (1 Pet. 4:13)
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