Jeremiah 38:20 - Homiletics

The blessedness of. obedience.

Jeremiah entreats Zedekiah to obey the voice of God urging him with promises of deliverance. Note here—

I. THE ENTREATY . Jeremiah says, "I beseech thee." This is characteristic of the kindliness and earnestness of the prophet. It is also indicative of the character of God who inspired him. With St. Paul he might have said, "We are ambassadors therefore on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreating you by us; we beseech you on behalf of Christ,… be ye reconciled to God" ( 2 Corinthians 5:20 ). This Divine entreaty signifies

II. THE DUTY .

1 . This is obedience, the cardinal duty of the Old Testament. The importance of this duty in the New Testament has been underrated. There, too, it takes a first place in the teaching of Christ ( John 15:14 ) and of his apostles—St. Paul ( Romans 2:8 ), St, Peter ( 1 Peter 3:1 ), St. John ( 1 John 3:24 ), and St. James ( James 1:22 ). Indeed, all religion consists in submission (passive faith) and obedience (active faith).

2 . Such obedience must be implicit. Zedekiah did not understand the reason of the Divine command. To carry it out was unpalatable to him and his people. But once we know God's will, questions of mystery and of inclination should not affect us. In the gospel dispensation obedience is more intelligent. We have spiritual principles in place of formal precepts, Yet here also there is often mystery and fear as to the results of obedience, and then our duty is the soldier's duty of unquestioning obedience.

"Theirs not to reason why;

Theirs but to do and die."

III. THE CLAIM .

1 . It rests on the will of God. The king is to obey the voice of God. The monkish duty of obedience stayed with the ecclesiastical superior. But the spiritual Christian must feel that he owes his supreme allegiance directly to God. Our King and Father commands. We must obey his will.

2 . It is determined by the revelation of the will of God. The obedience is to be given to the voice as it is made known by the prophet. "Which I speak unto thee." We are only responsible for obedience to God's will as far as he has revealed it to us. But we cannot plead total ignorance of his will. That has been declared by prophets and apostles, manifested in Christ, confirmed by the Spirit of God in our conscience.

IV. THE PROMISE .

1 . Whatever happens. "It shall be well"—a vague promise, but sufficient. We cannot tell what is well for us. The thing God sends may not seem good as it approaches. But in the result it shall be well. That is enough for faith.

2 . Life is secured. "And thy soul shall live." What is the use of the preservation of our possessions if our life is taken? Men toil for earthly gain and forget that the one condition of enjoying it may go at any moment. Life in the highest sense, eternal life, is the full reward for obedience.