Where is He like we read about in the past? Doing great miracles of deliverance? That was the question of the king. Let Him do it again.
The king sent Jeremiah’s betrayer, the very one who put him in stocks, to seek Jeremiah to intercede to the Lord. They were being attacked by the Babylonians just as Jeremiah had said.
“Inquire now of the LORD for us because Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon is attacking us. Perhaps the LORD will perform wonders for us as in times past so that he will withdraw from us” (v. 2).
The response?
No.
But there’s mercy even here. If people will go out and surrender to the Babylonians, they will live. If not, they will die by the sword, famine or plague (v. 9). It was the conflict of whether their pride would be greater than their fear.
The judgment upon them was so strong that the Lord said he would be fighting against Israel too. They had done too much evil for too many generations. Enough was enough.
But there was mercy. Escape and surrender and you will live.
He then called them to repentance—to administer justice and stand up for the innocent.
But their pride was too great. They said this:
“Who can come against us? Who can enter our refuge?” (v. 13)
Every country that thinks their military is the best. That they will “never surrender.” That they are somehow invincible.
No nation is invincible.
The King of Judah thought this. They could do as they saw fit and God would come rescue them. But it wasn’t gong to happen. Their crimes against God were too many.
—-
Goodness I again think of our times. Is there justice in the world? Are the innocent being protected or prosecuted?
Every country has corruption. Every country. And in these last couple of years I’ve seen more injustice in the world and more innocent prosecuted than I care to think of. God HATES these things. Yes, there are things he hates. Scripture is clear.
If that is the case, do we think he will do less to us than Israel? Israel is his covenant people.
We must fight for justice. TRUE justice. Justice that isn’t distorted by current events. And the innocent must be stood up for. Not because of a demographic but because individuals are innocent.
Our ability to stand for these things will be tested. Those who stand for the innocent will be hated and prosecuted. Just look at Jeremiah. But if we do not stand, what will we have left? If we gain the whole world yet lose our soul, what is there that remains?
So how do we do that in a righteous way? Where do we do that? We can’t fight every injustice. Nor do we riot and protest and loot which is not the way. There is no formula. Each situation is unique and needs led of the Lord.
But the Lord is clear. Do what is right (according to HIS ways). And protect and stand for the innocent. The true innocent individual.