1 The word of the LORD came also unto me, saying,
2 Thou shalt not take thee a wife, neither shalt thou have sons or daughters in this place.
3 For thus saith the LORD concerning the sons and concerning the daughters that are born in this place, and concerning their mothers that bare them, and concerning their fathers that begat them in this land;
4 They shall die of grievous deaths; they shall not be lamented; neither shall they be buried; but they shall be as dung upon the face of the earth: and they shall be consumed by the sword, and by famine; and their carcases shall be meat for the fowls of heaven, and for the beasts of the earth.
5 For thus saith the LORD, Enter not into the house of mourning, neither go to lament nor bemoan them: for I have taken away my peace from this people, saith the LORD, even lovingkindness and mercies.
6 Both the great and the small shall die in this land: they shall not be buried, neither shall men lament for them, nor cut themselves, nor make themselves bald for them:
7 Neither shall men tear themselves for them in mourning, to comfort them for the dead; neither shall men give them the cup of consolation to drink for their father or for their mother.
8 Thou shalt not also go into the house of feasting, to sit with them to eat and to drink.
9 For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will cause to cease out of this place in your eyes, and in your days, the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride.
10 And it shall come to pass, when thou shalt shew this people all these words, and they shall say unto thee, Wherefore hath the LORD pronounced all this great evil against us? or what is our iniquity? or what is our sin that we have committed against the LORD our God?
11 Then shalt thou say unto them, Because your fathers have forsaken me, saith the LORD, and have walked after other gods, and have served them, and have worshipped them, and have forsaken me, and have not kept my law;
12 And ye have done worse than your fathers; for, behold, ye walk every one after the imagination of his evil heart, that they may not hearken unto me:
13 Therefore will I cast you out of this land into a land that ye know not, neither ye nor your fathers; and there shall ye serve other gods day and night; where I will not shew you favour.
14 Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that it shall no more be said, The LORD liveth, that brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt;
15 But, The LORD liveth, that brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north, and from all the lands whither he had driven them: and I will bring them again into their land that I gave unto their fathers.
16 Behold, I will send for many fishers, saith the LORD, and they shall fish them; and after will I send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from every mountain, and from every hill, and out of the holes of the rocks.
17 For mine eyes are upon all their ways: they are not hid from my face, neither is their iniquity hid from mine eyes.
18 And first I will recompense their iniquity and their sin double; because they have defiled my land, they have filled mine inheritance with the carcases of their detestable and abominable things.
19 O LORD, my strength, and my fortress, and my refuge in the day of affliction, the Gentiles shall come unto thee from the ends of the earth, and shall say, Surely our fathers have inherited lies, vanity, and things wherein there is no profit.
20 Shall a man make gods unto himself, and they are no gods?
21 Therefore, behold, I will this once cause them to know, I will cause them to know mine hand and my might; and they shall know that my name is The LORD.
The sixteenth chapter of the Book of Jeremiah in the King James Version of the Holy Bible is a vital part of this prophetic book, which is centered on the themes of judgment, repentance, and hope. This chapter specifically contains God's instructions to Jeremiah regarding his personal life and prophetic ministry. It also outlines God's impending judgment on Judah and Jerusalem because of their sustained disobedience and unfaithfulness. However, it also offers a glimpse of God's enduring mercy and the promise of restoration.
The chapter begins with God instructing Jeremiah not to marry or have children in the land of Judah. This is a symbolic act demonstrating the severity of the coming judgment. The lack of a family would serve as a sign to the people of Judah, illustrating the impending devastation and loss that would come upon them due to their persistent disobedience and rejection of God.
God's command to Jeremiah not to marry or have children was counter-cultural and against societal norms of the time. However, God often asked His prophets to perform symbolic actions or live in a certain way to serve as a living metaphor of His messages. In this case, Jeremiah's life was to reflect the desolation, grief, and loss that would come upon the land of Judah. His life was a prophetic sign to the people, a physical representation of the spiritual reality they were facing.
Additionally, God further instructs Jeremiah not to participate in mourning rituals for the dead. This is another symbolic action, indicating that the coming judgment would be so severe that there would be no time or capacity for mourning. This command also served as a warning to the people of the impending disaster, emphasizing the gravity of their situation and the urgent need for repentance.
The chapter continues with God outlining the reasons for this impending judgment. The people of Judah had forsaken God, turning instead to idolatry and other gods. They had broken their covenant with God, disobeying His laws and commands. This disobedience and unfaithfulness were not without consequence. God, in His justice, was preparing to bring judgment upon them.
The judgment would be severe. The people would die gruesome deaths from disease, sword, and famine. They would be scattered among the nations, experiencing the hardship and humiliation of exile. This was a devastating prospect for the people of Judah, signifying not only physical suffering and loss but also spiritual dislocation and abandonment.
Despite the impending judgment, the chapter also contains a promise of future restoration. God assures that He will restore His people and bring them back to their land. This assurance is not based on the merit of the people, but on God's enduring mercy and covenant faithfulness. It is a glimmer of hope amid the bleakness of impending judgment.
This promise of restoration is a recurrent theme in the Book of Jeremiah, reflecting God's character as a God of both justice and mercy. Despite the people's unfaithfulness, God remains faithful to His promises. The judgment is not the end of the story; it is a means to an end, a painful but necessary step towards ultimate restoration and renewal.
The events and prophecies outlined in Jeremiah 16 have significant implications, not only for the people of Judah in Jeremiah's time but also for contemporary readers. It emphasizes the seriousness of sin and disobedience, reminding us of the consequences of turning away from God. It also underscores the importance of repentance and turning back to God.
Furthermore, Jeremiah 16 presents a balanced view of God's character. It shows God as a just judge, who will not let sin go unpunished. But it also reveals Him as a merciful Redeemer, who is willing to forgive and restore. This dual aspect of God's character is a central theme in the Bible and is fully realized in the person and work of Jesus Christ.
In conclusion, Jeremiah Chapter 16 is a sobering yet hopeful chapter. It presents a stark picture of the consequences of sin and disobedience, but it also offers a glimpse of God's enduring mercy and promise of restoration. It serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of faithfulness, repentance, and reliance on God's mercy and grace.
Share this page