The Prophet of Judah’s Decline

GOLDEN TEXT: “Woe unto him that buildeth his house by unrighteousness, and his chambers by wrong; that useth his neighbor’s service without wages, and giveth him not for his work.” —Jeremiah 22:13

JEREMIAH 22:1-9, 24, 25

JEREMIAH has been called the prophet of doom, largely because it became his lot to forecast the overthrow of the kingdom of Judah, and the captivity of the Jews in Babylon. But Jeremiah was also a prophet of good things, of rich, life-giving blessings the Lord will yet bestow upon all mankind. The Lord’s commission to him indicates this. It reads, “The Lord said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth. See, I have set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build and to plant.”—ch. 1:9,10

The words which the Lord put in Jeremiah’s mouth foretold the destruction which was coming upon Judah and other nations. But he also prophesied concerning the restoration of Israel following their later dispersion among all nations, and gave assurance that the time would come when the Lord would make “a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah,” a covenant in which the divine law would be written in their hearts and in their inward parts.—Jer. 31:31-34

Jeremiah foretold the destruction of the Moabites, the Ammonites, and the Elamites, but he also prophesied that they would be released from their captivity in death. (ch. 48:47; 49:6,39) Through him the Lord also promised the resurrection of children, saying that they would “come again from the land of the enemy.”—ch. 31:15-17

So we see that Jeremiah was not altogether a prophet of doom. He was greatly used by the Lord to contribute his share of those glorious promises of “restitution” which, as Peter declares, had been spoken “by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.”—Acts 3:19-21

But Jeremiah did forecast much trouble that was to come upon God’s typical people and upon other nations as well. Because his prophecies were characteristically gloomy, so often of “violence and spoil,” “the Word of the Lord was made a reproach unto” him. Then he concluded, “I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name.” “But,” he added, “his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and, I could not stay.”—ch. 20:8,9

Insofar as his prophecy of doom against Judah was concerned, it provided a way of escape for the people, had they chosen to accept it. They could escape the punishment coming upon them if they would “execute … judgment and righteousness, and deliver the spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor: and do no wrong, do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, nor the widow, neither shed innocent blood.”—ch. 22:3

“But,” the Lord said through the prophet, “if ye will not hear these words, I swear by myself, … that this house shall become a desolation.” (vs. 5) They did not hear and obey the Lord, and, true to his word, their “house” did become a “desolation.” The word “house,” as here used, refers to Judah as the Lord’s ruling family. When this foretold judgment fell upon the nation, the kingdom was destroyed. The people were later permitted to return to the Promised Land, but were always subject to Gentile rule.

In verses 24 and 25, the name Coniah is short for Jehoiachin. It means, “Jehovah has established.” The Lord explains that even though this king of Judah had this name, he would not be permitted to remain on the throne. This proved true. His reign in all lasted only three months and ten days. (II Chron. 36:9,10) He was taken captive into Babylon, and there was kept in prison, wearing prisoner’s garments, for thirty-six years, or until the death of Nebuchadnezzar.—II Kings 25:27-30

After the short reign of Jehoiachin, Nebuchadnezzar appointed his father’s brother, Mattaniah, to occupy the throne, and changed his name to Zedekiah. (II Kings 24:17) He proved to be the last of Judah’s kings, and is referred to by the Prophet Ezekiel as a “profane wicked prince of Israel, whose day is come.” To him Ezekiel wrote, “Thus saith the Lord God; Remove the diadem, and take off the crown: this shall not be the same. … I will overturn, overturn, overturn it: and it shall be no more, until he come whose right it is; and I will give it him.”—Ezek. 21:25-27

The expression, “whose right it is,” refers to Jesus, the One who sits on David’s and Judah’s throne during the thousand years of his messianic kingdom. Through him, and through the true church associated with him, all the marvelous promises of God will be fulfilled.

QUESTIONS

Why is Jeremiah called the prophet of doom?

Cite some of Jeremiah’s prophecies giving assurance of blessings coming to the people.

What was Jeremiah’s experience when he decided he would no longer speak the Word of the Lord?

In prophesying doom against Judah, did Jeremiah suggest a way of escape?

What is meant by the “house” of Judah which the Lord said would become “desolate”?

Who was Coniah, and how long did he reign?

Who was Judah’s last king, and what did the Prophet Ezekiel say concerning him?

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