Jeremiah summarizes 23 years of ministry in a single sentence, and it is not an encouraging one: “I have spoken persistently to you, but you have not listened.”
He then summarizes the message of all the prophets in three verses (v.5-7): “‘Turn now, every one of you, from his evil way and evil deeds, and dwell upon the land that the Lord has given to you and your fathers from of old and forever. Do not go after other gods to serve and worship them, or provoke me to anger with the work of your hands. Then I will do you no harm.’Yet you have not listened to me, declares the Lord, that you might provoke me to anger with the work of your hands to your own harm.”
There’s Jeremiah and all of the prophets in a nutshell.
Then, in chapter 26, Jeremiah about finds himself in a nutshell. He proclaims the word of the Lord to all the people at the house of the Lord, a quick trial ensues with the city officials, and as they recall former prophets and times, they decide they should not kill him. Wild stuff.
Omer Redden 