Jeremiah 26:12-16: a reflection

12Then Jeremiah spoke to all the princes and to all the people, saying, “The LORD sent me to prophesy against this house and against this city all the words that you have heard. 13Now therefore amend your ways and your doings, and obey the LORD your God’s voice; then the LORD will relent from the evil that he has pronounced against you. 14But as for me, behold, I am in your hand. Do with me what is good and right in your eyes. 15Only know for certain that if you put me to death, you will bring innocent blood on yourselves, on this city, and on its inhabitants; for in truth the LORD has sent me to you to speak all these words in your ears.” 16Then the princes and all the people said to the priests and to the prophets: “This man is not worthy of death; for he has spoken to us in the name of the LORD our God.”

Put on trial for his life for the message God gave him, Jeremiah does not recant or soften his word to save himself. He repeats the call to repent, and then commits himself entirely into their hands and God's: As for me, behold, I am in your hand; do with me what is good and right in your eyes. Only know that if you put me to death, you will bring innocent blood on yourselves; for in truth the LORD has sent me. He spoke the truth faithfully, warned them honestly, and entrusted his very life to God, whatever they might do.

Notice Jeremiah's faithfulness and his trust under mortal threat. He was on trial for his life, and could have saved himself by recanting; but he would not soften or take back the word God had given him. He spoke it faithfully, even under the threat of death. And having done so, he entrusted himself to God and to them: I am in your hand; do as you see fit. He did not compromise his faithfulness to save his life, but placed his life in God's hands, willing to accept whatever came, having spoken the truth God gave him.

That faithfulness and trust are worth taking to heart, for we too may face pressure to compromise our faithfulness to protect ourselves, and are called to entrust ourselves to God. There may be times when being faithful to God, speaking the truth, doing what is right, threatens our safety, our standing, our comfort; and we can be tempted to compromise to protect ourselves. But Jeremiah spoke faithfully and entrusted his life to God. When faithfulness to God endangers you, do not compromise to protect yourself; be faithful, and entrust yourself to God, as Jeremiah said, I am in your hand; do as you see fit. Speak and do what is right even when it is dangerous, placing your safety in God's hands rather than compromising your faithfulness to protect yourself, as Jeremiah spoke the truth under threat of death and entrusted his life to the God who had sent him.

Lord, put on trial for his life for the message you gave him, Jeremiah does not recant or soften his word to save himself. He repeats the call to repent, and then commits himself entirely into their hands and yours: as for me, behold, I am in your hand; do with me what is good and right in your eyes. Only know that if you put me to death, you will bring innocent blood on yourselves; for in truth the LORD has sent me. He spoke the truth faithfully and entrusted his very life to you. Show me Jeremiah's faithfulness and his trust under mortal threat. He was on trial for his life, and could have saved himself by recanting; but he would not soften the word you had given him. He spoke it faithfully, even under the threat of death. And having done so, he entrusted himself to you: I am in your hand; do as you see fit. He did not compromise his faithfulness to save his life, but placed his life in your hands. Take that faithfulness and trust to my heart, for I too may face pressure to compromise my faithfulness to protect myself, and am called to entrust myself to you. There may be times when being faithful to you, speaking the truth, doing what is right, threatens my safety, my standing, my comfort; and I can be tempted to compromise. But Jeremiah spoke faithfully and entrusted his life to you. When faithfulness to you endangers me, keep me from compromising to protect myself; help me be faithful, and entrust myself to you, Lord, as Jeremiah said, I am in your hand; do as you see fit.