Jeremiah 25-26

There are some things in these chapters to note.

* These messages come during the reign of Josiah's son Jehoiakim.  In 25:1-2 the preaching occurs in the 4th year; in 26:1 we are 'in the beginning' of Jehoiakim's reign.

* The length of the desolation by Babylon would be 70 years, after which God would then judge Babylon (25:11-12).  This period is elsewhere said to be the needed time to make up for the Sabbath years (every 7th year) in which the land had not been allowed to rest.  As the 70 years neared an end Daniel was moved to pray, seeking God's promised deliverance (Dan. 9:1-2).

* Jeremiah points out that the judgment will not only be on Judah but on all the surrounding nations that refuse to humble themselves before God's servant Nebuchadnezzar (25:15-26).

* Jeremiah was not preaching a new or novel message.  In both chapters (25:3-7; 26:4-5) Jeremiah refers to other prophets.  The subject of Babylon had originally been brought up be Isaiah in the days of Hezekiah, 100 years before it would happen (Isa. 39:5-7).  In ch. 26 two other prophets who preached the same message are mentioned in the arguments concerning whether Jeremiah should be put to death for treason since he had said that the temple would be removed from Jerusalem as it had been earlier from Shiloh (26:6,9).  His supporters refer to Micah who had been allowed to live in the days of Hezekiah (v17-19).  His enemies referred to an otherwise unknown prophet named Urijah who had been executed by Jehoiakim (v20-23).  While the predominate messengers were the false prophets, God made it clear that His warnings had been preached often.

It is that last point which we would do well to consider.  Judah is going to be judged by God because they did not listen to nor hear His word (25:7,8).  James 1:22 warns us to be "doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."  Here is a case of people who did not obey, but who never gave themselves the opportunity to obey because they refused to even listen.  

The Lord is telling men today that they will give account to Him, their Creator, for their choices in this lifetime, especially the choice concerning His Son whom He sent as the only Savior from sin (John 5:24-25).  "I didn't know" will not be an option when standing before God.  You can say you didn't hear, but Gods response will be, "You didn't listen!"  

Hear the word of The Lord!  "He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." (John 3:36)