Year of Exposure Day 23: Where there is shame concerning the word of the Lord, destruction follows.

“Jeremiah was put into a dungeon cell, where he remained for many days. Later King Zedekiah secretly requested that Jeremiah come to the palace, where the king asked him, “Do you have any messages from the Lord?” “Yes, I do!” said Jeremiah. “You will be defeated by the king of Babylon.””

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭37‬:‭16‬-‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

We have been discussing the treatment of God’s word, specifically focusing on words of warning from the Lord, and how the treatment of God’s word leads to destruction or blessing.

Sadly, even people who give heed to the word of the Lord, or at least want to know what He has said (now, whether they obey it or not, is many times another thing entirely), are ashamed of the word of God, seeking it out, only in secret.

Additionally, the hearing of the word of God publicly, necessarily makes people accountable to do something with it. And for many, accountability is to be avoided at all costs.

Think of how Jesus’ words were dealt with even when He walked amongst us, as one of us. Sadly, many who did believe His words (amongst whom were even some Jewish leaders), were ashamed of the word because it might cost them their standing in the community, their personal comfort, etc.

“Many people did believe in him, however, including some of the Jewish leaders. But they wouldn’t admit it for fear that the Pharisees would expel them from the synagogue. For they loved human praise more than the praise of God.”

‭‭John‬ ‭12‬:‭42‬-‭43‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Think about the case of Nicodemus: He was a religious leader, but came to seek out the Lord, after dark, so no one would see what he was doing.

“There was a man named Nicodemus, a Jewish religious leader who was a Pharisee. After dark one evening, he came to speak with Jesus. “Rabbi,” he said, “we all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with you.””

‭‭John‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Jesus addressed what will happen to people who are ashamed of Him, ashamed of His word:

“I tell you the truth, everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, the Son of Man will also acknowledge in the presence of God’s angels. But anyone who denies me here on earth will be denied before God’s angels.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭12‬:‭8‬-‭9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Indeed, the end of those who are ashamed of Jesus, ashamed of His words, is not good.

Now, this issue of being ashamed of the word of the Lord, brings us to our opening scripture. But before looking into that, we must look into what became of King Jehoiakim.

Over the last few days, we have been looking at the treatment of the word of the Lord through the lens of how Jehoiakim, king of Judah, dealt with Jeremiah.

As we discussed, as a result of Jehoiakim’s disregard and abuse of the word of the Lord, it was prophesied that he would be destroyed. As well, the kingly line would be taken away from him and his family.

You should know that Jeremiah wasn’t the only prophet of God who Jehoiakim treated with scorn. In fact, he had actually had one of Jeremiah‘s contemporaries killed!

“At this time Uriah son of Shemaiah from Kiriath-jearim was also prophesying for the Lord. And he predicted the same terrible disaster against the city and nation as Jeremiah did. When King Jehoiakim and the army officers and officials heard what he was saying, the king sent someone to kill him. But Uriah heard about the plan and escaped in fear to Egypt. Then King Jehoiakim sent Elnathan son of Acbor to Egypt along with several other men to capture Uriah. They took him prisoner and brought him back to King Jehoiakim. The king then killed Uriah with a sword and had him buried in an unmarked grave.”

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭26‬:‭20‬-‭23‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Seeing that today’s scripture suddenly references another king of Judah, ruling in place of Jehoiakim, you should also know that it seems that the prophecy concerning his demise, proved true as a result of Judah stopping payment of tribute to Babylon. As the account goes, Babylon put Jerusalem under siege, and Jehoiakim, having died during that time, was thrown over the wall of the city (per Josephus) so that what had been prophesied concerning his death and the treatment of his body, came to pass.

One of Jehoiakim’s sons reigned in place of his father only three months, being replaced with Zedekiah, by the king of Babylon.

That brings us back to today’s opening scripture in which we see that Zedekiah, now ruling over Judah, having known all that Jeremiah had prophesied concerning the destruction of Judah, sought out a word from him. But note, Zedekiah did this in secret. He was also ashamed of the word of the Lord; and his destruction would prove to be waiting in the wings.

Child of God, let us never surrender to any pressure, whether from external sources or internal sources, and so cause us to treat the word the Lord as if we are ashamed of it. Only in treasuring and obeying what God has said—whether words of warning or words of prosperity and good—will we avoid destruction.

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!