[4] So tell them that this is what Adonai says: “If you will not pay attention to me and live according to my Torah, which I have given you, [5] and listen to what my servants and the prophets, whom I send to you say – I have sent them frequently, but you haven’t listened – [6] then I will make this house like Shiloh, and I will make this city an object of cursing for all the nations of the earth” Jeremiah 26:4-6
As we come to Jeremiah 26, we begin to see the reactions by the priests, prophets, and rulers to the Word he delivered, and how rather than be moved to repentance they were moved to anger and violence. Before delivering this message, Jeremiah was told to stand in the courtyard of the Temple and give it to those who came to worship, and that he was to “Say everything I order you to say to them, and don’t leave out a word. Maybe they will listen, and each of them turn from his evil way.” V2-3 Instead of turning from their ways, they immediately seized Jeremiah shouting, “You will die for this! Why have your prophesized in the name of Adonai, ‘This house will become like Shiloh’, and ‘This city will become uninhabited ruins’?” v 8-9 I wondered why they would be so incensed by being told that the temple would become like Shiloh, so I broke out all my different commentaries, lexicons and the works of Josephus to research the importance of Shiloh.
The ancient city of Shiloh is located approximately 25 miles north of Jerusalem. It was here that the Tabernacle was located, and it was the spiritual epicenter of the Hebrew people. For 369 years, sacrifices were made here, and it was the location where Hannah lifted her heart to Adonai crying out for a son, a son who would be named Samuel. While Shiloh means “a place of rest”, it would come to be known as a symbol of destruction. It was at Shiloh that Eli the priest judged Israel and failed to rebuke his sons who were priests who failed to faithfully follow Adonai’s regulations in offering sacrifices. Eli was reprimanded by Adonai by a man of God who predicts judgement upon Eli’s family, and says, “At a time when Isra’el is prospering, you will see a rival in my Dwelling; and never will anyone in your family live to old age.” 1 Samuel 2:32 This would come to pass when Israel would engage in battle with the Philistines and take the Ark of the Covenant into battle with them. The Philistines would capture the Ark, and it seems that Shiloh was destroyed. Eli’s sons would be killed in battle, and upon hearing the Ark was captured, Eli himself would fall off of his seat next to the gate, breaking his neck resulting in his death. (Shiloh - Israel (chabad.org))
Jeremiah bringing the comparison of what happened at Shiloh would have struck a chord within the priests and prophets as their wickedness was being compared to that of Eli and his sons, and they would be paid in kind for it. The word curse comes from the root qalal (kaw-lal) meaning to treat with contempt or bring contempt and dishonor. Upon taking hold of Jeremiah, the officials of Judah came from the palace where the people told them, “This man deserves a death sentence, because he prophesied against this city.” Jeremiah then told them that Adonai had sent him to speak these words and that they should “improve your ways and your doings and listen to the voice of Adonai your God” and that if they did Adonai would relent from the judgement He had pronounced. But as for Jeremiah himself, that he was in their hands and that they could do whatever seemed right to them. But, if they put him to death that they would bring innocent blood upon themselves because Adonai had sent him to speak the words he had shared. The officials would rule in favor of Jeremiah stating that he had done nothing to deserve a death sentence, reminding the people about Mikaha the prophet who had pronounced words of judgement was well, but that the king did not put him to death, but feared Adonai and prayed for favor, resulting in Adonai relenting in bringing the disaster that had been pronounced. In contrast however, the chapter closes with the mention of a different man who prophesied in the name of the Lord, saying the same things as Jeremiah, yet they king chose to have him put to death. This prophet fled to Egypt, but the king sent his men after him and he was put to death with the sword. The final sentence of the chapter says, “But in this situation concerning Yirmeyahu, Achikam the son of Shafan used his influence to help him, so that he was not handed over to the people to be put to death.” (v24)
Chapters 27 and 28 present a message of extremely strong imagery, as well as a confrontation with the false prophet, Hananyah. Jeremiah was instructed to make a yoke of straps and crossbars and to put them on his neck. He was to make additional yokes for the kings of Edom, Mo’av, ‘Amon, Tzor, and Tzidon and send them by their envoys who had come to Jerusalem. The message was a powerful one. [5] “I made the earth, humankind, and the animals on the earth by my great power and my outstretched arm; and I give it to whom it seems right to me. [6] For now, I have given over all these lands to my servant N’vukhadnetzar the king of Bavel; I have also given him the wild animals to serve him. [7] All the nations will serve him, his son, and his grandson until his own country gets its turn – at which time many nations and great kings will make him their slave. [8] The nation and kingdom that refuses to serve this N’vukhadnetzar king of Bavel, that will not put their necks under the yoke of the king of Bavel, I will punish,” says Adonai “with sword, famine, and plague, until I have put an end to them through him. [9] You, therefore, don’t listen to your prophets, diviners, dreamers, magicians, or sorcerers, when they tell you that you won’t be subject to the king of Bavel; [10] for they are prophesying lies to you that will result in your being removed far from your land, with my driving you out, so that you perish. [11] But the nation that puts its neck under the yoke of the king of Bavel and serves him, that nation I will allow to remain on their own soil,” says Adonai. “They will farm it and live there.” Jeremiah 27:5-11
This same proclamation was given to Tzidkiyahu (Zedekiah), king of Judah, with the same warning not to listen to the false prophets saying that none of this would come upon them, but additionally, Jeremiah said concerning the prophets, But if they are in fact prophets, and if the word of Adonai is with them, then let them now intercede with Adonai-Tzva’ot that the articles still remaining in the house of Adonai and in the palace of the king of Y’hudah will not go off to Bavel.” (v 18). The articles spoken of, the columns, the Sea, the bases, and the rest that were still within the city, would indeed be carried off into Babylon and would remain there until Adonai would restore them back in their proper place. (v22)
[23] He made the cast metal “Sea” circular, seventeen-and-a-half feet from rim to rim, eight-and three-quarter feet high and fifty-two-and-a-half feet in circumference. [24] Under its rim, three hundred gourds encircled it in two rows; they were cast when the Sea was cast. [25] It rested on twelve oxen, three looking north, three looking west, three looking south, and three looking east, all with their hindquarters toward the center. The Sea was set on top of them. [26] It was a handbreadth thick, its rim was made like the rim of a cup, like the flower of a lily; and its capacity was 11,000 gallons. 1 Kings 7:23-26
I love finding historic gems like the Sea tucked within verses because they make me dig even deeper into the Word and learn more about the historical context. When Adonai instructed Moses on how to construct the Tabernacle and its furnishings, he was to make a basin of bronze, and its base from bronze for washing. It was to be placed between the tent of meeting and the altar. Aharon and his sons were to wash their hands and feet with the water from this basin before they entered the tent of meeting so that they would not die. (Exodus 30:17-21) When Solomon constructed the Temple, the new basin was called the Sea for its great size, yet still held the same function as the original basin, ceremonial washing. However, this basin allowed for the priest’s entire body to be immersed and washed, not just his hands and feet. (What was the significance of the bronze laver? | GotQuestions.org)
Chapter 28 continues with the yoke being the focal object lesson of the chapter. While in the Temple, in front of the priests and all the people, the prophet Hananyah, declared that Adonai had “broken the yoke of the king of Bavel”, and that within two years all of the articles from the Temple would be removed, along with the Y’khanyah the son of Y’hoyakim, king of Judah and all those taken into captivity. (v2-4) At this time, Jeremiah was continuing to wear the yoke around his neck, symbolizing the Babylonian bondage. He responded to Hananyah, “Amen! May Adonai do it! May Adonai fulfill the words you have prophesied and bring back from Bavel to this place the articles from Adonai’s house and all the people who were carried away captive!” (v 6) He then went on to say to Hananyah in front of all the people concerning prophets who prophesied peace, “when the word of that prophet is fulfilled it will be evident concerning that prophet that Adonai indeed did send him”. At this Hananyah removed the yoke from Jeremiah’s neck and broke it, proclaiming once more that “Thus says Adonai: ‘In just this way will I break off the yoke of N’vukhadnetar king of Bavel from the necks of all the nations within two years.’” (v10-11) Jeremiah did not respond or react, instead he left them. Shortly after this, the word of Adonai came to him concerning Hananyah. He was to go and tell Hananyah, “You have broken the crossbars of wood, but you will make in their place crossbars of iron.” (v 13) He would go on to say to this false prophet that Adonai had not sent him and that he was making the people trust a lie, and because of this, it would cost him his life, that he would die for preaching rebellion against Adonai. Hananyah died that same year, in the seventh month, the month of Tishrei.
As I read this account between the two prophets, and the fact that Jeremiah did not call Hananyah out in the Temple in front of all the people, and it made me think of words Yeshua spoke in the book of Matthew. Moreover, if your brother commits a sin against you, go and show him his fault – but privately just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won back your brother. Matthew 18:15 Jeremiah did not react to this false prophet out of anger or emotion in front of everyone for them to see. He waited for Adonai to speak to him concerning the situation, he went to him in private, and Hananyah’s actions would ultimately cost him his life.
I read that a single sized oxen yoke weighs around fifteen pounds. While we don’t know the exact amount of time that Jeremiah wore the yoke around his neck, it had to be heavy, burdensome, and a hindrance at times. It had to make the message of being under the yoke of Babylon very real to him, and I have no doubt that there were individuals who mocked Jeremiah and who thought him mad. I also can not help but think of those taken into captivity and that they would have no doubt remembered that crazy prophet, who wore an oxen yoke as a symbol and sign of the life they were now living. Are we willing to be like Jeremiah? Are we willing to do what it takes to get the message of Adonai to a lost and dying world, even if it is heavy, burdensome, and a hindrance to our flesh? Are we willing to appear crazy to a world that is in desperate need of salvation? [25] For God’s “nonsense” is wiser than humanity’s “wisdom.” And God’s “weakness” is stronger than humanity’s “strength.” [26] Just look at yourselves, brothers – look at those whom God has called! Not many of you are wise by the world’s standards, not many wield power or boast noble birth. [27] But God chose what the world considers nonsense in order to shame the wise; God chose what the world considers weak in order to shame the strong; [28] and God chose what the world looks down on as common or regards as nothing in order to bring to nothing what the world considers important; [29] so that no one should boast before God. [30] It is his doing that you are united with the Messiah Yeshua. He has become wisdom for us from God, and righteousness and holiness and redemption as well! [31] Therefore – as the Tanakh says – “Let anyone who wants to boast, boast about Adonai.” 1 Corinthians 1:25-31
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