As for me, I am in your hands; do with me whatever you think is good and right. – Jeremiah 26:14

Today's Scripture Reading (July 8, 2023): Jeremiah 26

I am interested in the idea of government and the evolution from various stages or kinds of government as society moves toward a democracy or an autocracy based on something other than a hereditary monarchy. As a result, the reign of Charles I of England has been of interest beyond his characterization in various works of fiction.

Historically, King Charles, I was indicted for treason in January 1649. It was the first time an English King had been subjected to such a charge. Initially, the House of Lords rejected the charge, declaring that the King couldn't be tried for treason because he was the nation, and anything the King did had to be legal. But Charles was tried anyway. And Charles did not assist in the trial in any way. Every time the King was asked to enter a plea to the charges that had been made against him, Charles responded, "I would know by what power I am called hither, by what lawful authority...?" A fuller explanation of Charles's belief concerning his trial was also offered, invoking the Bible as the basis for his power.

No earthly power can justly call me (who am your King) in question as a delinquent ... this day's proceeding cannot be warranted by God's laws; for, on the contrary, the authority of obedience unto Kings is clearly warranted, and strictly commanded in both the Old and New Testament ... for the law of this land, I am no less confident, that no learned lawyer will affirm that an impeachment can lie against the King, they all going in his name: and one of their maxims is, that the King can do no wrong.

The trial was quick, and the execution even quicker. Charles was executed for treason on January 30, 1649. At about 2:00 p.m., the King said a prayer, then placed his head on a block and signaled that he was ready by stretching out his hands. He was executed with a single, clean stroke.

Jeremiah could have argued something similar. God had called him to prophesy in Jerusalem. The leaders in Jerusalem opposed him, arguing that he was prophesying what was in his mind and not what God had told him. The charge of false prophesy carried with it the death penalty. And the leaders in Jerusalem argued that the weeping prophet should die.

Jeremiah's response? He told the leaders that he would continue to prophesy whatever God had told him, regardless of whether those prophecies met with the approval of leadership or not. As for what happened, he understood that he was in the hands of leaders; they could do with him what they would. But Jeremiah believed that, while he admitted to being in these national leaders' hands, God ultimately held his future firmly in his hands. And what would happen would only be what God had approved. And whatever that was, it was okay with Jeremiah.

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 27