Calling Out God's People

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Sometimes the prophets have to call out God's people: 

"1 In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, this word came from the Lord: 2 “Thus says the Lord: Stand in the court of the Lord's house, and speak to all the cities of Judah that come to worship in the house of the Lord all the words that I command you to speak to them; do not hold back a word. 3 It may be they will listen, and every one turn from his evil way, that I may relent of the disaster that I intend to do to them because of their evil deeds. 4 You shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord: If you will not listen to me, to walk in my law that I have set before you, 5 and to listen to the words of my servants the prophets whom I send to you urgently, though you have not listened, 6 then I will make this house like Shiloh, and I will make this city a curse for all the nations of the earth.’” (Jer. 26:1-6). 

Jeremiah was told by God to tell the people of Judah God would desolate their nation if they did not repent. Just as he had done to the northern Kingdom. God told Jeremiah to preach judgement against God's people. 

They did not like this: 

"7 The priests and the prophets and all the people heard Jeremiah speaking these words in the house of the Lord. 8 And when Jeremiah had finished speaking all that the Lord had commanded him to speak to all the people, then the priests and the prophets and all the people laid hold of him, saying, “You shall die! 9 Why have you prophesied in the name of the Lord, saying, ‘This house shall be like Shiloh, and this city shall be desolate, without inhabitant’?” And all the people gathered around Jeremiah in the house of the Lord.

10 When the officials of Judah heard these things, they came up from the king's house to the house of the Lord and took their seat in the entry of the New Gate of the house of the Lord. 11 Then the priests and the prophets said to the officials and to all the people, “This man deserves the sentence of death, because he has prophesied against this city, as you have heard with your own ears”" (Jer. 26:7-11). 

They really did not like this. It is never easy for those who profess belief in God to hear that God is against them. They were told that professing faith would make them right with God, they are often not told God will keep them accountable to their profession of faith, and when God's people bring disrepute on his name, he will act to defend his glory and reputation. God is forgiving, and he will over look a lot of sins if one repents, but unrepentant abuse of his name, he will not tolerate. 

Judah has been mocking God's name by professing to be his people yet worshipping other gods and living in immorality. God is never happy with this. 

"12 Then Jeremiah spoke to all the officials and all the people, saying, “The Lord sent me to prophesy against this house and this city all the words you have heard. 13 Now therefore mend your ways and your deeds, and obey the voice of the Lord your God, and the Lord will relent of the disaster that he has pronounced against you. 14 But as for me, behold, I am in your hands. Do with me as seems good and right to you. 15 Only know for certain that if you put me to death, you will bring innocent blood upon yourselves and upon this city and its inhabitants, for in truth the Lord sent me to you to speak all these words in your ears" (Jer. 26:12-15). 

Sometimes the most dangerous people to call out, are the people of God. They often feel righteous justification in destroying you. Jeremiah knows this, he's prepared for this. This is the kind of risk that God’s men need to take in calling out evil amongst Churchians. Which means they need to be bold, and have no fear of the men of this world. 

"16 Then the officials and all the people said to the priests and the prophets, “This man does not deserve the sentence of death, for he has spoken to us in the name of the Lord our God.” 17 And certain of the elders of the land arose and spoke to all the assembled people, saying, 18 “Micah of Moresheth prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah, and said to all the people of Judah: ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts,

“‘Zion shall be plowed as a field;

    Jerusalem shall become a heap of ruins,

    and the mountain of the house a wooded height.’

19 Did Hezekiah king of Judah and all Judah put him to death? Did he not fear the Lord and entreat the favor of the Lord, and did not the Lord relent of the disaster that he had pronounced against them? But we are about to bring great disaster upon ourselves.”

20 There was another man who prophesied in the name of the Lord, Uriah the son of Shemaiah from Kiriath-jearim. He prophesied against this city and against this land in words like those of Jeremiah. 21 And when King Jehoiakim, with all his warriors and all the officials, heard his words, the king sought to put him to death. But when Uriah heard of it, he was afraid and fled and escaped to Egypt. 22 Then King Jehoiakim sent to Egypt certain men, Elnathan the son of Achbor and others with him, 23 and they took Uriah from Egypt and brought him to King Jehoiakim, who struck him down with the sword and dumped his dead body into the burial place of the common people.

24 But the hand of Ahikam the son of Shaphan was with Jeremiah so that he was not given over to the people to be put to death" (Jer. 26:16-24). 

Jeremiah stood up, and called out the wickedness of God's apostate people. He counted the cost, spoke the truth, and allowed the chips to fall where they may. This is what is required of the Man of God; of the preacher, teacher, leader, prophet, father and more. 

In this instance, Jeremiah was defended and protected. Sometimes this happens. In other instances you get stoned like Stephen, or beheaded like Paul. Either way, what is required of us is to speak the truth when necessary, even if it is the hard truth. This is doubly true of the man who wants to be a pastor or Christian leader. 

Some people don't speak, because they believe something bad might happen. They are correct. But fear is not a reason to stay quiet, it is an excuse, it is an emotion that can drive you to hide. But what does it profit you if you save your life, gain the whole world, but lose your soul? 

Speak the truth, no matter how unpopular. The world needs it. God commands it. And it is good for your soul, even if in the short term it might be costly.