Jeremiah 26:12

“Then spake Jeremiah unto all the princes, and to all the people, saying, etc.] In his own defence; which, as Jerom observes, was with prudence, humility, and constancy: the Lord sent me to prophesy against this house, and against this city, all the words that ye have heard; he does not deny but that he had prophesied against the city of Jerusalem and against the temple, and that they should both come to ruin, unless the people repented and reformed; but then he urges, that he was sent by the Lord on this errand, and that every word that he had said, and they had heard, he was ordered to say by the Lord; and therefore what was he, that he should withstand God? he surely was not to be blamed…”

“Lord sent me--a valid justification against any laws alleged against him. against . . . against--rather, "concerning." Jeremiah purposely avoids saying, "against," which would needlessly irritate. They had used the same Hebrew word (Jer 26:11), which ought to be translated "concerning," though they meant it in the unfavorable sense. Jeremiah takes up their word in a better sense, implying that there is still room for repentance: that his prophecies aim at the real good of the city; for or concerning this house . . . city [GROTIUS].”

“The answer of Jeremiah is simple and straightforward. Yahweh, he affirmed, had truly sent him, but the sole object of his prophesying had been to avert the evil by leading them to repentance. If they would amend their ways God would deliver them from the threatened doom. As for himself he was in their hands, but if they put him to death they would bring the guilt of shedding innocent blood upon themselves and upon the city. return to 'Top of Page'”

“26:12-13 Jeremiah argued that the Lord had sent him to speak against the city and the Temple; he added that the impending disaster would not occur if the people of Jerusalem chose to obey the Lord.”

“The Lord: Jer 26:2, Jer 26:15, Jer 1:17, Jer 1:18, Jer 19:1-3; Amo 7:15-17; Act 4:19, Act 5:29 Jeremiah 26:13”