Jeremiah Reproves Israel
167
their self-love is smarting beneath merited reproof are not the friends
of God, the great Reprover. God will send reproof and warning to His
people as long as they continue upon earth.
[181]
Those who valiantly take their position on the right side, who
encourage submission to God’s revealed will and strengthen others in
their efforts to put away their wrong-doings, are the true friends of the
Lord, who in love is trying to correct the errors of His people, that He
may wash them and, cleansing them from every defilement, fit them
for His holy kingdom.
Zedekiah succeeded Jehoiakim in reigning at Jerusalem. But nei-
ther the new king nor his court nor the people of the land hearkened
to the words of the Lord spoken through Jeremiah. The Chaldeans
commenced the siege against Jerusalem, but were diverted for a time
to turn their arms against the Egyptians. Zedekiah sent a messenger to
Jeremiah, asking him to pray to the God of Israel in their behalf; but
the prophet’s fearful answer was that the Chaldean army would return
and destroy the city. Thus the Lord showed them how impossible it
is for man to avert divine judgment. “Thus saith the Lord; Deceive
not yourselves, saying, The Chaldeans shall surely depart from us; for
they shall not depart. For though ye had smitten the whole army of
the Chaldeans that fight against you, and there remained but wounded
men among them, yet should they rise up every man in his tent, and
burn this city with fire.”
Jeremiah considered his work done and attempted to leave the
city; but he was prevented by a son of one of the false prophets, who
reported that he was about to join the enemy. Jeremiah denied the lying
charge, but nevertheless he was brought back. The princes were ready
to believe the son of the false prophet because they hated Jeremiah.
They seemed to think that he had brought upon them the calamity
which he had predicted. In their wrath they smote him and imprisoned
him.
After he had remained in the dungeon many days, Zedekiah the
king sent for him and asked him secretly if there was any word from
the Lord. Jeremiah again repeated his warning that the nation would
be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon.
[182]
“Moreover Jeremiah said unto King Zedekiah, What have I of-
fended against thee, or against thy servants, or against this people,
that ye have put me in prison? Where are now your prophets which