The Consequences of Worshiping Other Gods
January 22, 2023
Commentary
The events, to which this chapter refers, occurred before chapter 21. In this chapter God says to Jeremiah, “I want you to go up and talk to the king himself, face to face.” This is the first time Jeremiah is sent to deliver a message to the face of the king himself (vv. 1, 2). So he accepts the responsibility to go the palace, and come before the king. Certain consequences were attached to what he had to say. His message to the king and the people that were there was for them to do what is just and right. If the king would be careful to observe God’s commandments he could expect continued blessing. However, if he chose to disobey these commands, God vowed that the royal palace would become a ruin (vv. 3-5).
Both Gilead and Lebanon were known for their forests (v. 6) and the palace in Jerusalem was known as the “Palace of the forests of Lebanon." However, after God’s judgment the palace would be as desolate as a desert. The Babylonians would cut up the fine cedar beams of the palace and cast them into the fire (v. 7). As the people of other nations see this beautiful palace being destroyed they will ask; why has God permitted such a thing (v. 8). The answer is simply that God has judged this city because the people has forsaken the covenant and had worshiped other Gods (v. 9).
The message to Shallum was another name for Jehoahaz who had succeeded his father Josiah to the throne when he was killed at Megiddo (vv. 10-12). After a reign of three months he was deposed by Pharoah Neco to Egypt. Jeremiah predicted that he would never return to Jerusalem but that he would die in the place where he was deported. Jehoahaz was the first leader of Judah to die in exile.
Application
We face somewhat similar times in our own day. Since I know that God is the same yesterday, today and forever I can be sure that judgment is coming. Lord, help me to be sounding the warning.
Jeremiah 22:1– 12 (NET)
1 The Lord told me, “Go down to the palace of the king of Judah. Give him a message from me there. 2 Say: ‘Listen, O king of Judah who follows in David’s succession. You, your officials, and your subjects who pass through the gates of this palace must listen to the Lord’s message. 3 The Lord says, “Do what is just and right. Deliver those who have been robbed from those who oppress them. Do not exploit or mistreat resident foreigners who live in your land, children who have no fathers, or widows. Do not kill innocent people in this land. 4 If you are careful to obey these commands, then the kings who follow in David’s succession and ride in chariots or on horses will continue to come through the gates of this palace, as will their officials and their subjects. 5 But, if you do not obey these commands, I solemnly swear that this palace will become a pile of rubble. I, the Lord, affirm it!”’
6 “For the Lord says concerning the palace of the king of Judah, “‘This place looks like a veritable forest of Gilead to me. It is like the wooded heights of Lebanon in my eyes. But I swear that I will make it like a wilderness whose towns have all been deserted.
7 I will send men against it to destroy it with their axes and hatchets. They will hack up its fine cedar panels and columns and throw them into the fire.
8 “‘People from other nations will pass by this city. They will ask one another, “Why has the Lord done such a thing to this great city?” 9 The answer will come back, “It is because they broke their covenant with the Lord their God and worshiped and served other gods.”
10 “‘Do not weep for the king who was killed. Do not grieve for him. But weep mournfully for the king who has gone into exile. For he will never return to see his native land again.
11 “‘For the Lord has spoken about Shallum son of Josiah, who succeeded his father as king of Judah but was carried off into exile. He has said, “He will never return to this land. 12 For he will die in the country where they took him as a captive. He will never see this land again.”
Illustration: Judgment is Coming
We face somewhat similar times in our own day. Since I know that God is the same yesterday, today and forever I can be sure that judgment is coming. Lord, help me to be sounding the warning. (Unknown, Lou Nicholes – Missionary/Author)