Jeremiah 26:19

Did Hezekiah king of Judah or anyone else in Judah put him to death? Did Hezekiah not fear the LORD and seek His favor, and did not the LORD relent of the disaster He had pronounced against them? But we are about to bring great harm on ourselves!"

Study Bible

Did Hezekiah king of Judah or anyone else in Judah put him to death?
This phrase references the historical account of King Hezekiah, who reigned over Judah from approximately 715 to 686 BC. Hezekiah is noted for his religious reforms and efforts to return Judah to the worship of Yahweh, as detailed in 2 Kings 18-20 and 2 Chronicles 29-32. The rhetorical question highlights the precedent set by Hezekiah, who did not execute the prophet Micah despite his dire prophecies. This context underscores the importance of heeding prophetic warnings rather than silencing the messenger, a principle rooted in the respect for God's word and His messengers.

Did Hezekiah not fear the LORD and seek His favor,
Hezekiah's fear of the LORD is a central theme in his reign, as he is described as a king who trusted in God and sought to align his kingdom with divine will. This fear, or reverence, led him to seek God's favor through prayer and reform, as seen in 2 Kings 19:1-19, where he prays for deliverance from the Assyrian threat. The concept of fearing the LORD is foundational in biblical wisdom literature, such as Proverbs 1:7, and is associated with obedience and humility before God.

and did not the LORD relent of the disaster He had pronounced against them?
This phrase refers to God's response to Hezekiah's repentance and prayer. In 2 Kings 19:20-36, God relents from allowing the Assyrian army to destroy Jerusalem, demonstrating His mercy and willingness to forgive when His people turn back to Him. This relenting is consistent with God's character as described in passages like Joel 2:13, where He is portrayed as gracious and compassionate. It also illustrates the biblical principle that genuine repentance can lead to divine mercy and averted judgment.

But we are about to bring great harm on ourselves!”
The warning here is a self-reflective acknowledgment of the potential consequences of rejecting God's prophets. The leaders of Judah, by contemplating the execution of Jeremiah, risked incurring divine wrath similar to what they were trying to avoid. This phrase serves as a cautionary reminder of the dangers of ignoring God's warnings, as seen throughout the history of Israel and Judah, where disobedience often led to disaster. It echoes the broader biblical theme that rebellion against God leads to self-inflicted harm, as seen in Deuteronomy 28's blessings and curses.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Hezekiah
King of Judah known for his faithfulness to God and his reforms to restore proper worship in Judah. His reign is marked by a return to the worship of Yahweh and the removal of idolatry.

2. Judah
The southern kingdom of Israel, which included Jerusalem. During Hezekiah's reign, Judah faced threats from Assyria but was delivered by God due to Hezekiah's faithfulness.

3. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, who is just and merciful. He responds to the repentance and faithfulness of His people.

4. Prophet Micah
A prophet who prophesied during the reign of Hezekiah. His message of impending judgment led to repentance and averted disaster.

5. Jeremiah
A prophet called by God to deliver messages of warning and hope to Judah. In this chapter, he faces opposition for his prophecies of judgment.

Teaching Points

The Power of Repentance
Hezekiah's account illustrates the transformative power of genuine repentance. When we turn from our sins and seek God's favor, He is merciful and may relent from judgment.

Leadership and Influence
Hezekiah's leadership had a profound impact on the people of Judah. Godly leadership can lead a nation or community towards righteousness and away from disaster.

God's Relenting Nature
God's willingness to relent from sending disaster shows His mercy and desire for His people to return to Him. This encourages us to intercede and seek God's favor in times of crisis.

The Importance of Heeding Prophetic Warnings
The people of Judah heeded Micah's warning, which led to their deliverance. We should be attentive to God's messages through His Word and His messengers today.

Avoiding Self-Inflicted Harm
The warning in Jeremiah 26:19 about bringing harm upon themselves serves as a reminder that ignoring God's warnings can lead to self-destruction.

Bible Study Questions

1. How did Hezekiah's response to Micah's prophecy differ from the initial reaction to Jeremiah's message, and what can we learn from this about responding to God's warnings?

2. In what ways can we apply Hezekiah's example of seeking the Lord's favor in our personal lives and communities today?

3. How does the account of Hezekiah and the people of Judah illustrate the concept of God's mercy and justice working together?

4. What are some modern-day "prophetic warnings" that we might be ignoring, and how can we ensure we are attentive to God's messages?

5. How can we, as individuals or as a church, avoid bringing "great harm on ourselves" by aligning our actions with God's will?

Connections to Other Scriptures

2 Kings 18-20
These chapters provide a detailed account of Hezekiah's reign, his reforms, and his reliance on God during the Assyrian threat.

Micah 3:12
This verse is the specific prophecy referenced in Jeremiah 26:19, where Micah foretold the destruction of Jerusalem, leading to Hezekiah's repentance.

Jonah 3
Similar to Hezekiah's response, the people of Nineveh repented at Jonah's warning, and God relented from sending disaster.

2 Chronicles 32:26
Chronicles Hezekiah's humility and repentance, which led to God's mercy.