Jeremiah 22:1-5: Clear alternatives.(please click on Bible passage for reading)
In this chapter Jeremiah delivers a series of messages from God concerning the various kings of Judah under whose reigns Jeremiah ministered. It is thought likely that the unnamed king here is Zedekiah, Judah’s last king. He was called to conform to the example of king David in order to benefit from the promises made to him.
In (4), Jeremiah repeats what he said earlier in (17:25). ‘’This promise is a reaffirmation of the covenant God made with David himself (see 2 Samuel 7:12-17…). However, as we know, David’s throne – the kings of the house of David – did come to an end, because of Judah’s persistent disobedience to God’s covenant (Exodus 19:5-6). After the fall of Jerusalem there was no king on David’s throne for six hundred years. But God had another plan for keeping His side of the covenant. Though there were no kings, David’s family line continued during those six hundred years and culminated in the birth of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:1-17), to whom God gave the throne of his father David and a kingdom that will never end (Luke 1:30-33). Tom Hale: ‘The applied Old Testament Commentary’, p.1106.
‘’Subjects must own that where the word of the king is there is power over them, but kings must own that where the word of the Lord is there is power over them.’’ Matthew Henry
These five verses contain clear alternatives, and I was thinking that the gospel message which has been entrusted to us is beautifully balanced between hope and wrath, life and death. We have to say, ‘Go with God and this will happen’; ‘reject Him and that will happen.’ The recipients of Jeremiah’s message could not have failed to understand what was being required of them. May we be as clear in our presentation, so that people can see the ‘narrow’ road and the ‘broad’ one, and choose their route wisely.
‘’…then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…’’ (Joshua 24:15).
God does not issue idle warnings. He means what He says. What God said happened just a few years later (5; see2 Kings 25:9). Because He has no-one greater to swear by, He swears by Himself (Hebrews 6:13). God’s judgment is real; Hell is real. ‘’Sin will be the ruin of the houses of princes as well as of mean men.’’ Matthew Henry. All who cling to Jesus by faith have eternal hope, but those who do not face a terrible alternative.
Prayer: Lord keep us true to the clear truth you have revealed.