Thus saith the LORD; Go down to the house of the king of Judah, and speak there this word,
Thus saith the Lord is a sending, directing Jeremiah to go down to the house of the king of Judah and speak there the word given to him. The word that follows is spoken not to the king alone but to the king, to his servants, and to the people that enter in by those gates. It is a call to obey God by doing justice and righteousness, by judging fairly, by rescuing and protecting the oppressed and vulnerable, and by refusing to do wrong and violence and to shed innocent blood.
The commandments so urged are not arbitrary impositions but are given for the people's own good and protection, hedging them about, so that keeping them brings blessing and life and great reward. Upon such obedience rests the promise that those of David's line would continue to rule and to enter in by those gates. Refusal to obey would bring desolation.
Thus saith the Lord is a sending, directing Jeremiah to go down to the house of the king of Judah and speak there the word given to him. The word that follows is spoken not to the king alone but to the king, to his servants, and to the people that enter in by those gates. It is a call to obey God by doing justice and righteousness, by judging fairly, by rescuing and protecting the oppressed and vulnerable, and by refusing to do wrong and violence and to shed innocent blood.
The commandments so urged are not arbitrary impositions but are given for the people's own good and protection, hedging them about, so that keeping them brings blessing and life and great reward. Upon such obedience rests the promise that those of David's line would continue to rule and to enter in by those gates. Refusal to obey would bring desolation.