What can we learn about courage from Jeremiah's response to the priests' accusations? When Accusations Come “Then the priests and prophets said to the officials and to all the people, ‘This man deserves the death sentence, because he has prophesied against this city, as you have heard with your own ears!’” (Jeremiah 26:11) Jeremiah stands before civic leaders, clergy, and a crowd that is ready to pronounce capital judgment. Their charge: treason against Jerusalem and its temple. The atmosphere is hostile, and the stakes could not be higher. Jeremiah’s Unshaken Response Jeremiah 26:12-15 lays out his answer: • “The LORD sent me to prophesy against this house and this city all the words you have heard.” • “Now therefore, reform your ways and deeds and obey the voice of the LORD your God, so that He may relent from the calamity He has pronounced against you.” • “But as for me, behold, I am in your hands; do with me whatever seems good and right to you.” • “But know for certain that if you put me to death, you and this city and its inhabitants will bring innocent blood on yourselves. For in truth the LORD has sent me to you to speak all these words in your hearing.” Observe his courage: – He reaffirms his divine commission without wavering. – He calls for repentance instead of self-defense. – He accepts personal risk, entrusting the outcome to God. – He warns his accusers of the moral weight of shedding innocent blood. Lessons on Courage for Us • Bold truth-telling flows from knowing we are sent by God, not driven by popularity. • Courage does not mean hostility; Jeremiah’s plea is redemptive—“reform your ways.” • Real bravery leaves personal vindication in God’s hands: “I am in your hands.” • A courageous witness keeps the spotlight on God’s message rather than personal safety. • Fear is displaced when the call of God is clearer than the threats of people. Putting Courage into Practice • Cultivate conviction—immerse yourself daily in Scripture so God’s voice is louder than culture’s pressures. • Pray for clarity before conflict; speak from settled assurance, not spur-of-the-moment emotion. • Keep a repentant posture yourself; courage is contagious when matched with humility. • Accept that obedience may cost you socially, vocationally, or materially, yet eternal outcomes outweigh temporal losses. • Leave final judgment to God; rest in His justice when misunderstood or mistreated. Supporting Passages That Reinforce Courage • Joshua 1:9—“Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? … the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” • Psalm 118:6—“The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” • Acts 4:19—Peter and John: “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to listen to you rather than God.” • 2 Timothy 1:7—“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.” • Hebrews 13:6—“So we say with confidence: ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.’” Jeremiah’s calm, steadfast response under threat models Spirit-enabled courage, showing that when God’s Word is our anchor, no accusation can silence faithful witness. |
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