Uncomfortable Scripture

Jeremiah 26:2-3

Let's face it, there are parts of the Bible that are not comfortable to read; let alone speak about. This is true for preachers as well. There are sections of the Levitical law that are uncomfortable. There are stories in Judges that are horrible. Reading about rape and retaliation in Genesis is not fun. And of course there is that reoccurring theme all through the Bible of circumcision that no one really wants to explain in detail. Some even take it farther and do not want to talk about Hell or the crucifixion because the graphic nature of both might make some uncomfortable.

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Thus saith the LORD; Stand in the court of the LORD’s house, and speak unto all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the LORD’s house, all the words that I command thee to speak unto them; diminish not a word: 3 If so be they will hearken, and turn every man from his evil way, that I may repent me of the evil, which I purpose to do unto them because of the evil of their doings.

Jeremiah 26:2-3

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God told Jeremiah not to give in to this temptation. God told him to stand in the court. He wanted Jeremiah to be in the midst of the people. He was to be in a public place, namely the Temple, where everyone could hear hear his message. He was not going to a small group of like minded people who would agree with him. He was going to a diverse group of people from all over the nation.

Isn't it interesting that this message was to those who came to the Temple to "worship in the LORD's house"? Why is this interesting, some may ask. I find it interesting that they were going to "worship" because the message Jeremiah was to proclaim was about disobedience. Worship is about obedience and devotion. Devotion and disobedience do not go together.

God told Jeremiah to "diminish not a word". The Hebrew word translated diminish (gara) is in other texts translated "restrain" and "keep back". There was no part of this message that was to be diminished, restrained, or kept back from the people. God wanted them to know all of it. Paul told Timothy "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (II Timothy 3:16). God intends for "All scripture) to be proclaimed and just as he told Jeremiah, we are to "diminish not a word".

The reason for this is so that people will repent. God does not want to bring judgment down upon his people. The word evil here does not mean that God does evil as in sin. It means bad. He does not want to bring about things that are bad for his creation but he does to get them to turn away from sin that is killing them. It is like a parent spanking their child for repeatedly running out into a road. The parent does not enjoy hurting the child but a little discomfort is better to train the child, rather than the child possibly being killed by a car. The spanking itself is evil or bad to the comfort of the child, but it works for good for the child because the child learns to stay away from the danger. Also note that God says the message is so that the people change so that he does not have to bring about this "evil".

When the Bible says that God "repents" it does not mean that he stops sinning. God does not and cannot sin. It means that he turns away from a particular course of action. In this case, he is telling the people to stop sinning against Him so that he can turn away from the judgment that he is going to bring against them. The judgment is not what he wants to do, but it is necessary in their current state of disobedience.

This is true for us as well. While preaching about the crucifixion and death of Christ may not be fun, and telling people that they are on the road to Hell is not encouraging, we are called to preach that message. If we do not, how will they repent and accept Christ as their Savior? The blood is a vital part of the message because sin brings death. Jesus died in our place. His blood was shed for us. As the writer of Hebrews said in 9:22, "without shedding of blood is no remission (of sin). Thus, just as God told Jeremiah, we are to "diminish not a word".

Father help me to understand the importance of those uncomfortable passage and the need to proclaim them. Give me boldness to speak your word, even if others may not want to hear it. I pray also that sinners would hear your word and repent and that the saved would be strengthened in their walk.