Then spake Jeremiah unto all the princes and to all the people, saying, The LORD sent me to prophesy against this house and against this city all the words that ye have heard.
Then spake Jeremiah unto all the princes and to all the people, saying, The LORD sent me—Jeremiah's defense rests entirely on divine commission. The Hebrew שְׁלָחַנִי יְהוָה (shelachani YHWH, 'the LORD sent me') echoes the prophetic call formula throughout Scripture (Exodus 3:12-15, Isaiah 6:8, Ezekiel 2:3). This claim is either true—making opposition to Jeremiah rebellion against God—or false—making Jeremiah worthy of death as a false prophet. There is no middle ground. The stakes are ultimate: either Jeremiah speaks God's word requiring obedience, or he blasphemously invokes God's name requiring execution.
To prophesy against this house and against this city all the words that ye have heard—Jeremiah doesn't retreat or soften his message under threat. He reaffirms that every word came from God, including the unbearable prophecy of temple and city destruction. The phrase 'all the words' (כָּל־הַדְּבָרִים, kol-hadevarim) emphasizes completeness—not selective prophecy tailored to audience preference, but full declaration of God's counsel. This models apostolic boldness: 'We cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard' (Acts 4:20).
Historical Context
Jeremiah's claim to divine commission was verifiable through fulfillment—his prophecies came true with devastating accuracy. Within 20 years, Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem exactly as prophesied (586 BC). Yet immediate verification wasn't available during his trial. The test was conformity to God's revealed character and covenant: Did Jeremiah's message align with God's established word? It did—the covenant curses for disobedience (Deuteronomy 28:15-68) explicitly threatened exile and destruction. Jeremiah didn't contradict God's word; he applied it to Judah's covenant-breaking.
Questions for Reflection
How does Jeremiah's unwavering claim to divine commission—risking death rather than softening his message—challenge modern pressures to make biblical truth more palatable?
What does Jeremiah's refusal to retreat from hard truth teach about the nature of faithful prophetic ministry?
How can we discern between legitimate prophetic boldness and presumptuous claims to speak for God?
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Analysis & Commentary
Then spake Jeremiah unto all the princes and to all the people, saying, The LORD sent me—Jeremiah's defense rests entirely on divine commission. The Hebrew שְׁלָחַנִי יְהוָה (shelachani YHWH, 'the LORD sent me') echoes the prophetic call formula throughout Scripture (Exodus 3:12-15, Isaiah 6:8, Ezekiel 2:3). This claim is either true—making opposition to Jeremiah rebellion against God—or false—making Jeremiah worthy of death as a false prophet. There is no middle ground. The stakes are ultimate: either Jeremiah speaks God's word requiring obedience, or he blasphemously invokes God's name requiring execution.
To prophesy against this house and against this city all the words that ye have heard—Jeremiah doesn't retreat or soften his message under threat. He reaffirms that every word came from God, including the unbearable prophecy of temple and city destruction. The phrase 'all the words' (כָּל־הַדְּבָרִים, kol-hadevarim) emphasizes completeness—not selective prophecy tailored to audience preference, but full declaration of God's counsel. This models apostolic boldness: 'We cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard' (Acts 4:20).