And Jehoiakim the king sent men into Egypt, namely, Elnathan the son of Achbor, and certain men with him into Egypt.
The verse belongs to the section of Jeremiah in chapters 25-28 that contains prophecies about the fall of Jerusalem. The account comes from Jehoiakim's reign, which occurred earlier than some events recorded in chapters placed before it in the book's written order. It belongs to the great crisis when backsliding and apostasy were about to bring captivity and the destruction of Jerusalem, when God sent faithful warnings through Jeremiah to kings and princes, priests and people. Instead of repenting of sins and correcting wrongdoings, the hearers persecuted the prophet and rejected the Lord's message.
The verse records that after becoming king, Jehoiakim sent Elnathan son of Achbor with certain other men to Egypt to seize the prophet Urijah and bring him back to Jerusalem for punishment. Jehoiakim condemned Urijah and had him put to death for prophesying against Jerusalem and Judah as Jeremiah did. Urijah's fate illustrates the persecution of God's messengers, instigated by apostate religious leaders.
The verse shows God's chosen instrumentality for communicating His will and instruction being blamed and opposed, just as Moses was blamed for trouble brought by Israel's own sins and murmurings, with leading men in high trust like Korah and men of renown famous in the congregation joining the opposition. This history is written for benefit as an admonition not to fail through unbelief as they did, a warning that applies when a helpful gift rich in blessing bringing counsel, instruction, encouragement, reproof, warnings and earnest admonitions is made the object of opposition even by those who believe in the gifts of the Spirit.
The verse belongs to the section of Jeremiah in chapters 25-28 that contains prophecies about the fall of Jerusalem. The account comes from Jehoiakim's reign, which occurred earlier than some events recorded in chapters placed before it in the book's written order. It belongs to the great crisis when backsliding and apostasy were about to bring captivity and the destruction of Jerusalem, when God sent faithful warnings through Jeremiah to kings and princes, priests and people. Instead of repenting of sins and correcting wrongdoings, the hearers persecuted the prophet and rejected the Lord's message.
The verse records that after becoming king, Jehoiakim sent Elnathan son of Achbor with certain other men to Egypt to seize the prophet Urijah and bring him back to Jerusalem for punishment. Jehoiakim condemned Urijah and had him put to death for prophesying against Jerusalem and Judah as Jeremiah did. Urijah's fate illustrates the persecution of God's messengers, instigated by apostate religious leaders.
The verse shows God's chosen instrumentality for communicating His will and instruction being blamed and opposed, just as Moses was blamed for trouble brought by Israel's own sins and murmurings, with leading men in high trust like Korah and men of renown famous in the congregation joining the opposition. This history is written for benefit as an admonition not to fail through unbelief as they did, a warning that applies when a helpful gift rich in blessing bringing counsel, instruction, encouragement, reproof, warnings and earnest admonitions is made the object of opposition even by those who believe in the gifts of the Spirit.