AUGUST 18

Chapter 26 records Jeremiah’s trial before the princes. His
accusers were the priests and false prophets. But Jeremiah had
friends among the princes, especially one named Ahikam, who saved
him from death. The threat against Jeremiah’s life was due to his
having predicted that the Temple would be destroyed. All classes of
people rejected the truth and persecuted the prophet. Verses 12-24
record Jeremiah’s brave defense and deliverance.

In chapters 27 and 28 Jeremiah actually put a yoke, like
those worn by oxen, on his neck for an illustration to the people.
He then went about the city saying that thus shall Babylon put a
yoke on the necks of this people. One of the false prophets,
Hananiah, broke the yoke (chapter 28:10) and as a punishment died
within two months (verse 17).

In chapter 29 Jeremiah writes a letter of comfort to the
exiles. It was written after Jehoiachin, and the best of the people,
had been taken to Babylon. He advised them to be peaceful and
obedient captives, and promised them a return to their homeland
after 70 years (verse 10). But even in Babylon the false prophets
kept up their fight against Jeremiah.

The devil never stops working–he is working day and night
to accomplish that confusion that brings forth the deterioration of
a home, nation, or anything else. The devil knows well that a house
divided against itself cannot stand, and a nation divided against
itself will surely crumble. Thus the false prophets, even in
captivity, continued their fight against Jeremiah.