TRUTH ABOVE ALL!

TRUTH ABOVE ALL!

Jer 37:16-17

16 When Jeremiah was entered into the dungeon, and into the cabins, and Jeremiah had remained there many days;

17 Then Zedekiah the king sent, and took him out: and the king asked him secretly in his house, and said, Is there any word from the Lord ? And Jeremiah said, There is: for, said he, thou shalt be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon.

          Jeremiah had been imprisoned by King Zedekiah because the king didn’t appreciate the negative prophecies presented. Specifically, when Egypt came against the Chaldeans who were laying siege to Jerusalem, the false prophets claimed that this was a miracle and that Jerusalem would be spared. However, Jeremiah warned them that it would not be so. Although the following portion may be a bit long, please read it so that you might understand.

Jer 37:5-10

5 Then Pharaoh's army was come forth out of Egypt: and when the Chaldeans that besieged Jerusalem heard tidings of them, they departed from Jerusalem.

6 Then came the word of the Lord  unto the prophet Jeremiah, saying,

7 Thus saith the Lord , the God of Israel; Thus shall ye say to the king of Judah, that sent you unto me to inquire of me; Behold, Pharaoh's army, which is come forth to help you, shall return to Egypt into their own land.

8 And the Chaldeans shall come again, and fight against this city, and take it, and burn it with fire.

9 Thus saith the Lord ; Deceive not yourselves, saying, The Chaldeans shall surely depart from us: for they shall not depart.

10 For though ye had smitten the whole army of the Chaldeans that fight against you, and there remained but wounded men among them, yet should they rise up every man in his tent, and burn this city with fire.

          Because he delivered bad news, Jeremiah was placed in the prison to soften him up a bit. Perhaps a few days in the dungeon would change what the prophet had to say. He was then removed and brought to the king who asked if God had spoken while Jeremiah was in prison. Jeremiah replied that He had but the word was the same: “thou shalt be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon.”

          Our declining culture is placing an increasing pressure on modern prophets to soften their messages. Atlanta pastor, Louie Giglio was invited to give the benediction at the second inaugural of President Obama. When it was learned that Giglio had preached that homosexuality was a sin, he was invited to withdraw. As the days march steadily on toward that last day, it will certainly be more dangerous and more needful to simply speak the truth.

Matt 10:16-19

16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

17 But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;

18 And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.

19 But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.

Dear Lord, grant courage to your preachers and prophets in these evil days to speak the truth in love. AMEN