What can we learn from Jeremiah's courage when facing opposition in Jeremiah 38:15?

Jeremiah 38:15: “Jeremiah replied to Zedekiah, ‘If I tell you, you will surely put me to death, and even if I give you counsel, you will not listen to me.’”

Courage to Speak Truth

- Jeremiah knew the king’s track record of ignoring God’s word, yet he still declared it.

- True courage is measured by faithfulness to God, not by outward success (compare 1 Corinthians 4:2).

- Jeremiah illustrates Proverbs 29:25: “The fear of man is a snare, but whoever trusts the Lord is set securely on high”.

Counting the Cost

- He openly acknowledged the threat to his life—courage is not denial of danger but willingness to face it.

- Luke 14:27-28 teaches that discipleship involves cost-counting; Jeremiah embodies this principle long before Jesus taught it.

- His resolve echoes Peter and John before the Sanhedrin: “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).

Anchored in Divine Authority

- Jeremiah’s confidence rested on the certainty that his message came from God (Jeremiah 1:9).

- 2 Timothy 1:7 reminds believers that God grants “power, love, and self-control,” the same qualities evident in Jeremiah’s stand.

- Because the word is God’s, the messenger’s duty is to deliver it intact (Deuteronomy 18:18-19).

Integrity over Approval

- Jeremiah preferred possible death to compromising the message; see Galatians 1:10—“If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ”.

- Unflinching integrity lends weight to testimony; people may resist the truth but cannot dismiss consistency.

Encouragement for Today

- Expect opposition when God’s standards confront cultural or personal sin (2 Timothy 3:12).

- Speak with clarity and kindness, but do not dilute the message to gain acceptance.

- Courage grows through regular intake of Scripture and communion with God, just as Jeremiah was strengthened by repeated words from the Lord (Jeremiah 20:8-9).

- Remember that results rest with God; our role is obedience (Ezekiel 2:7).

Summary Lessons

• Boldly declare God’s word even when unpopular.

• Weigh the cost, yet proceed in faith.

• Ground confidence in God’s authority, not human response.

• Choose integrity over approval.

• Trust God with outcomes while remaining steadfast.