Not Our Jailer

The priests and prophets said to the princes and to all the people, “This man deserves death; he has prophesied against this city, as you have heard with your own ears.” 

Jeremiah gave this answer to the princes and all the people: “It was the LORD who sent me to prophesy against this house and city all that you have heard. Now, therefore, reform your ways and your deeds; listen to the voice of the LORD your God, so that the LORD will repent of the evil with which he threatens you. 

As for me, I am in your hands; do with me what you think good and right. But mark well: if you put me to death, it is innocent blood you bring on yourselves, on this city and its citizens. For in truth it was the LORD who sent me to you, to speak all these things for you to hear.” 

Thereupon the princes and all the people said to the priests and the prophets, “This man does not deserve death; it is in the name of the LORD, our God, that he speaks to us.”

So Ahikam, son of Shaphan, protected Jeremiah, so that he was not handed over to the people to be put to death. (Jeremiah 26:11-16, 24)

To repeat the prophet Jeremiah: “Now, therefore, reform your ways and your deeds; listen to the voice of the LORD your God, so that the LORD will repent of the evil with which he threatens you.”  Such was the belief of those who worshiped God well before Jesus’ time and surprisingly, even now.  God – the LORD – is capable of evil, and God threatens us with evil.  So said the biblical prophets and false prophets of today.

Many people belief their troubles are caused by God who is angry with them, and there are preachers who ring that bell.  Hurricanes and disease, with COVID-19 being one example, are two sorts of punishments and for which God is responsible.   It is sort of tit-for-tat.   We do evil so God gives us a dose of our own medicine or far worse, so many people mistakenly and tragically believe.

Jesus said the opposite.   He insisted peoples’ pain was not caused by God as a punishment for their sin.  God forgives willingly and without reservation.  If only each of us would do the same to bring God’s Kingdom to earth as in heaven.  The LORD is our shepherd, not our jailer.

Deacon David Pierce