Week 25 Jeremiah 26
The Lord told Jeremiah to go to the temple and give a public prophecy. But prior to going he tipped Jeremiah off about what might happen: perhaps the people will listen and turn—each from his evil way of life—so that I might relent concerning the disaster that I plan to do to them because of the evil of their deeds. So the situation was fluid & open-ended.
The backstory to Jeremiah’s prophecy was pretty typical:
• The people had already done a lot of evil things
• The Lord was planning a calamity against them
• Prior to the disaster Jeremiah was to go with a warning message
• The people could listen to Jeremiah’s message.
It was at that point that the people got to decide one way or the other. They could either a) listen and turn from their evil ways or they could b) disregard Jeremiah.
If they shrugged off Jeremiah’s warning then the Lord’s projected plan would simply move forward as it was designed.
But if they turned then the Lord would change his plan. A catastrophe would be avoided.
So there were choices and interactivity and adjustments and adaptation that would be in play here. It wasn’t a static situation.
And quite a bit would be hanging in the balance.
Note: quote from Jeremiah 26:3 (CSB)