Jeremiah 22:1-12. In yesterday’s reading Jeremiah was approached by representatives of King Zedekiah, they wanted him to have a little talk with God about the attack on Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar. Instead God gave them a little talk about how he was going to destroy Jerusalem; he would make Nebuchadnezzar successful. The only way to escape was to surrender to the invaders. In today’s reading Jeremiah goes to the kings house to deliver a message. We find out in verse 11 that this is not the same king who sent guys to talk to Jeremiah in yesterday’s reading. Remember yesterday’s reading was about events in 588-586 BC. In verse 11 we find out that this message was to a king named Shallum the son of Josiah. Bible experts tell us he was also known as Jehoahaz, the son of Josiah who ruled for three months in 609 BC after his father was killed by Pharaoh Necho. According to 2 Kings 23:32-33 he did not honor God with his life and God allowed Necho to remove him from the throne and exile him. He was sent to a town called Riblah. The town was about 100 mile north of Damascus; more than 200 miles north of Jerusalem.
Jeremiah goes to the palace and offers advice to the king. In verse 3 he basically tells the king and his men to be fair and just; to look out for people who are being treated unfairly especially strangers, widows, and orphans. According to verse 4 if the king and his men would do this his reign would be successful. In verse 5 Jeremiah warns the king that if he does not look out for the people that his house would become barren like a desert. The idea of fairness and justice are so important to Yahweh (LORD, the one true God) that he swears by himself. God is always consistent (James 1:17), he doesn’t need to swear for us to believe what he says, so for him to “swear” (not cussing but making a serious promise) here makes these words especially serious.
In verses 7-9 God tells us why he is so serious about the actions of the king. First notice that he refers to the “house of the king of Judah”. This is not just about one king but about a succession or dynasty. Back in verse 4 God promised that kings (plural) would sit on the throne of “David”. God had promised David that his throne would last forever (Psalm 89). This is talking about his dynasty or kingdom not a physical piece of furniture. We know from history that there have been interruptions of that kingdom and in fact Jeremiah is warning about that possibility here, but the promise remains and will ultimately be fulfilled by Jesus (see Revelation 11:15; Revelation 19-22). The king that Jeremaih is talking to here has the opportunity to be one of the “kings” who will sit on David’s throne or one who will be removed. So the kings of Israel or Judah had a serious responsibility because their kingdom and actions reflected on the one true God, Yahweh. God then uses the picture of a beautiful forest to explain the situation. People love forests, they like to drive through them or walk in them and are very impressed with the trees and streams. Deserts can be cool too (well actually hot, but we do like to visit them, except maybe in the summer), but forests and mountains seem to be a favorite of most people. Gilead is the fertile and partially forested region east of the Jordan river between the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea. The “summit of Lebanon” refers to the forested mountains in Lebanon that were famous for their cedar trees. If this king would make sure his kingdom was fair and just then his reign would be like a forest, but if he did not make sure his kingdom was fair and just God would destroy it.
In verse 8 we see the connection with God and his reputation. As people passed by and looked at the ruined kingdom they would be shocked and ask why Yahweh had done this to this place. The answer would be because they had broken the agreement God had made with them (see yesterday’s post about the warning Moses gave the people) and had followed other gods. It is interesting that this verse links not looking out for others with honoring or following false gods. In Matthew 22:34-40 an expert in the laws that God gave to Moses for the Jewish people asked Jesus which one of the laws was most important. Jesus answered that loving God with all we are is the most important. But then he added two more comments. He said loving your neighbor like you love yourself was the second most important and finally he told the expert that these two summed up all the requirements of what Moses had written for them. God is very concerned with how we treat others because he loves people. If we love God then we need to love and care for others; Paul said “all me” (Galatians 6:10). So in the time of this king there was the opportunity to follow and honor Yahweh resulting in fairness and justice in his kingdom or he could follow false gods which would result in brutality and injustice. As far as I can tell (and I’m no particular expert) other religions usually seem to be about “me”. Even when other religions tell us to treat others in a kind way it is so I can get credit for it and be exalted or go to heaven or what ever. In Christianity, God has given his people a secure place, through what Jesus has done for us, our good deeds are about God getting the credit not us.
Some Bible experts think that verses 10-12 are separate from verses 1-9 and that those verses are about a different king. I’m not sure who else would fit in the time that verses 1-9 fit. Jeremiah served God from the time of Josiah. Josiah had already decided to follow God when Jeremiah came on the scene. As we saw yesterday Jehoiachin took over the kingdom in the face of an invasion and Mattaniah or Zedekiah was really more of a governor for Nebuchadnezzar than a king. That leaves Shallum (Jehoahaz) or his brother Jehoiakim as the king in verses 1-9. I suppose it could be either but since verses 10-12 mention Shallum (Jehoahaz). Also if you have read the “What’s in a Name” page you know that names often reflect the life of a person in the Old Testament. “Shallum” means “retribution”, we might say “payback” which is one part of justice, the topic of verses 1-9. “Jehoahaz” means “Yahweh has seized or taken control” another idea that is behind verses 1-9. In verses 10-12 The people are told not to mourn or cry for a certain dead person but to to cry for the one who “goes away”. We are told that this is about Shallum and Josiah. Don’t cry for Josiah (the one who has just recently died in battle) but cry for Shallum (who was being exiled by Necho). As I mentioned above 2 Kings 23:32-33 tell us that Shallum, or Jehoahaz, was evil and links that with his exile. That seems to be a pretty good example of what happens when the king follows false gods and doesn’t make sure his kingdom is filled with justice. So either this was a warning to Shallum and a note about his failure or a warning to Jehoiakim and a reminded of what happened to his brother.
For us it’s just a warning. God is serious about how we treat others if we really love God it will show in how we treat others. Do we love them like we love ourselves? If not then we probably don’t really love God either. But remember these warnings are opportunities. The king had two paths to choose Jehoahaz chose poorly, we have a choice too. For most of us we have already chosen poorly but God allows us to correct our course and come back, but it is a choice we have to make. In John 14 Jesus told his followers that he was the way, the truth, and the life and that no one could come to God except through him. In John 3:16 we are told that God loved the world so much that he gave Jesus (to die on the cross to pay the price for our disobedience and rebellion, sin) so that who ever would believe in him would not perish. In John 1:12 we are told that whoever will accept who Jesus is and what only he can do for them can become part of God’s forever family. And finally in 1 John 2:2 John told the believers of his day that Jesus death was enough for everyone in the world. Clearly not all believe in Jesus and allow him to make things right between us and God, but the offer is there; the path is available to anyone regardless of where they have been or what they have done. That is an amazing story. God is an amazing God. God loves people and he wants us to reflect that to the world. The question is will you? Do I love Jesus? Yes I do and with his help I will love others too.
God help me love others. Help me care about and for all people especially the needy. Let love others the way you do. Let me be willing to sacrifice for others the way you do. Fill my life with love and care. Let me reflect the love and care you have given me.