What can we learn about God's communication with His prophets from Jeremiah 39:15? Setting the Scene “Now the word of the LORD had come to Jeremiah while he was confined in the courtyard of the guard:” (Jeremiah 39:15) Jeremiah is literally locked up inside Jerusalem’s royal prison yard. The city is under siege, its leadership hostile to his message, yet God’s word still finds—and uses—His prophet. Key Observation from Jeremiah 39:15 God initiates communication with Jeremiah in the most restrictive, discouraging circumstance imaginable. What This Teaches About God’s Communication • God’s voice is not blocked by bars, walls, or hostile authorities. • The Lord chooses the timing—“had come” shows prior, intentional planning on God’s part. • Confinement does not cancel calling; Jeremiah’s prophetic office continues uninterrupted. • God’s word is sure and literal; what He speaks in a prison courtyard is as binding as what He speaks on a mountaintop. • The prophet is God’s mouthpiece, not the originator; revelation originates with the Lord. Supporting Scriptures • 2 Timothy 2:9—“the word of God is not bound.” Paul echoes the same truth from his own chains. • Amos 3:7—“Surely the Lord GOD does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets.” • 2 Peter 1:21—“men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” • Acts 23:11—Jesus speaks to Paul in prison, reinforcing the pattern. • Jeremiah 1:9—God had placed His words in Jeremiah’s mouth from the start. Personal Application Today – Feeling hemmed in—by sickness, workplace opposition, family pressures? God still speaks and directs. – Physical location or adverse circumstances do not nullify divine purpose. His word reaches us wherever we are. – Expect God’s guidance to come at His perfect moment, tailored to the situation. – When He speaks, respond with the certainty that His message is true, accurate, and unfailing. |
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