J eremiah 37:11-21 – Being true to God at all cost.

In Jeremiah 32:7-10, we learned that the prophet’s cousin, Hanamel offered him a parcel of land in Benjamin, which he acquired for 17 shekels of silver. So during the brief period when the Babylonians temporarily lifted their siege on Jerusalem, he left to examine that piece of land in Benjamin and to attend to some personal business.

In Jeremiah 37:11-21 we are told what happen to him when he did so. He was arrested by Irijah, the captain of the guard of Zedekiah. He was accused of seeking to deflect to Babylon. Though he vehemently denied any wrongdoing, Irijah would not listen to him but brought him to the officials of the king who interrogated and beat him up. They conveniently charged Jeremiah for treason, since he had strongly advocated the judgment that Judah would have to face at the hand of the Chaldeans. They then confined him in the house of Jonathan the scribe, which they converted into a prison, and threw him into a dungeon for many days.

In Jeremiah 37:17 we are told that Zedekiah sent for Jeremiah. When he was brought before him, the king secretly asked if he had a word from the Lord. His response was in the affirmative before telling the king that he would be given into the hand of Babylon. Boldly, he then asked the king what wrong had he committed against him, his servants, or the people that they should treat him this way.  He even asked the king where the prophets were who had prophesied that Babylon would not come against Judah. At the same time, he also pled with him to listen to what he had said and not to send him back to the dungeon in Jonathan’s house. He feared that he could die at their hands. Acceding to his plea, the king then had him confined in the court’s guard house and remained there. And he was also fed with a loaf of bread daily from the bakers’ street until all the bread in the city was gone.

Far too many people would readily compromise just for some personal comfort and ease but not Jeremiah. He remained true to his mission, even in the face of danger and hardship. A true servant of the Lord remains true to his message even in the face of harsh opposition. He considers the integrity of God more important than the comfort of his life. Will we compromise our stand for God just to evade tough times? Or will we be true to God and the message He sends us to share even when hardships beckon? Jesus let us know that “he who is faithful in little will be faithful in much.” Faithfulness to God requires that we must continue to trust God and follow His instruction even when life’s circumstances are not harsh.