Jeremiah 26:20-24
Faithful proclamation of God’s word often brings severe opposition, yet God may preserve His servants according to His sovereign purposes.
20 There was also a man who prophesied in Yahweh’s name, Uriah the son of Shemaiah of Kiriath Jearim; and he prophesied against this city and against this land according to all the words of Jeremiah.
21 When Jehoiakim the king, with all his mighty men and all the princes heard his words, the king sought to put him to death; but when Uriah heard it, he was afraid, and fled, and went into Egypt.
22 Then Jehoiakim the king sent men into Egypt, Elnathan the son of Achbor, and certain men with him, into Egypt;
23 and they fetched Uriah out of Egypt, and brought him to Jehoiakim the king, who killed him with the sword, and cast his dead body into the graves of the common people.
24 But the hand of Ahikam the son of Shaphan was with Jeremiah, so that they didn’t give him into the hand of the people to put him to death.
Faithful proclamation of God’s word often brings severe opposition, yet God may preserve His servants according to His sovereign purposes.
To contrast Jeremiah’s preservation with the execution of another prophet, Uriah son of Shemaiah, demonstrating the real danger faced by prophets who proclaimed judgment against Judah.
Jeremiah 26:20–24 concludes the temple sermon episode by recounting the fate of another prophet who spoke similar words. The account intensifies the seriousness of Jeremiah’s situation while also explaining why he ultimately survived the crisis.
Jeremiah on Trial for Preaching Judgment Against the Temple
When the LORD's word confronts false temple security, the faithful messenger must speak without omission, and the people must choose between repentant fear of God and violent rejection of his warning.