Jeremiah 38:15

Arabic 2016 (الكِتاب المُقَدَّس: التَّرْجَمَةُ العَرَبِيَّةُ المُبَسَّطَةُ)

فَقَالَ إرْمِيَا لِصِدْقِيَّا: «ألَنْ تَقْتُلَنِي إذَا أخبَرْتُكَ؟ وَإنْ أعْطَيتُكَ نَصِيحَةً فَهَلْ تَسْتَمِعُ إلَيَّ؟»

What Does This Mean?

In this verse, Jeremiah is speaking to King Zedekiah. Jeremiah is asking if he should tell the king something, knowing the king might punish him for it. The key message is about the fear of speaking truth to power and the potential consequences.

Explained for Children

Imagine you have a secret that might get you in trouble if you tell it. Jeremiah is like you, telling the king, 'If I tell you this, will you be mad at me?' He's worried about saying something that might not make the king happy.

Historical Background

This verse is from the book of Jeremiah, written by the prophet Jeremiah around 626-586 BCE. Jeremiah is speaking to King Zedekiah of Judah during a time of political turmoil and impending Babylonian invasion. The setting is during the fall of Jerusalem.

Living It Out Today

Imagine you work at a company and you see something unethical happening. You might hesitate to tell your boss because you fear retaliation. This verse reminds us of the courage needed to speak truth in fear-inducing situations.

Topics

• courage
• truth
• consequences
• fear
• faith
• leadership

Related Verses

• Ezekiel 2:5
• Daniel 11:33
• Matthew 10:16
• Acts 4:19
• 1 Peter 3:14

Frequently Asked Questions

What was Jeremiah's main concern in Jeremiah 38:15?

Jeremiah was concerned about the potential punishment he might face from King Zedekiah if he spoke the truth.

How does this verse apply to everyday situations?

This verse teaches us about the courage needed to speak the truth even when it's risky, like reporting unethical behavior at work.

What can we learn about leadership from this verse?

Leaders should encourage openness and trust within their teams, as fear can prevent honest dialogue.

What does Jeremiah's hesitation suggest about the relationship between prophets and kings?

It suggests that there could be tension and fear in the relationship, where prophets might fear the consequences of their prophetic messages.