Thus says the Lord: Stand in the court of the Lord’s house, and speak to all the cities of Judah that come to worship in the house of the Lord all the words that I command you to speak to them; do not hold back a word. (Jeremiah 26:2 ESV)
The Truth and Faith
God tells Jeremiah here to tell ALL the truth. It could have been scary for Jeremiah to tell the whole truth. … for good reason. Jeremiah would have known that the message entrusted to him would be unpopular.
His listeners might throw him in a cistern or something, leaving him to die.
Jeremiah was bringing bad news. God was withdrawing His protection from Jerusalem. So Jeremiah’s message would be discouraging, frightening, and seem faithless to the ‘idea’ of Jerusalem.
He probably would have been tempted to tone it down. Maybe insert a few, “maybe’s.” Alter the text so that it could be heard as a warning instead of a doom. Present God’s message as an one option of many.
Jeremiah, though, told the truth.
And he paid the price. He WAS thrown into a cistern. He was mocked. His prophecy was ignored.
Jeremiah did end up in that cistern, but God blessed him… with peace, protection, and provision. And the knowledge that Jeremiah had done what God asked.
The truth is more important than comfort. The truth is more important than reputation. The truth is more important than comfort. The truth is more important than success. The truth is more important than sleep. The truth is more important than laughter. The truth is more important than false hope.
God has shown it over and over. Because He has shown us, we can stick to the truth and relax.
Take the faith God grants us.