Hezekiah’s trust in God and repentance spared his generation—and the same principle remains true for those who turn from evil and entreat the Lord for deliverance.
“Did Hezekiah king of Judah and all Judah put him to death? Did he not fear the LORD and entreat the favor of the LORD, and the LORD changed His mind about the misfortune which He had pronounced against them? But we are committing a great evil against ourselves.” (v.19)
In this verse, we find a reference to King Hezekiah, who ruled Judah from 715 to 686 BC. The people are recalling that in Hezekiah’s day, when the prophet Micah predicted judgment, Hezekiah did not kill the messenger of God. Instead, he chose to reverently “fear the LORD and entreat the favor of the LORD.” By seeking divine mercy, Hezekiah displayed humility and faith, causing God to relent from bringing disaster on His people. The geography points us to Jerusalem, the capital of Judah, nestled in the southern portion of the land promised to Israel. This city was not only the political center of Judah but also the site of the temple, making it a focal point for worship and repentance.
The verse highlights the stark contrast between Hezekiah’s righteous response and the stubborn attitude of the contemporaries Jeremiah addresses. Rather than show repentance, they threaten to execute a prophet for declaring a call to change. The rhetorical question “Did Hezekiah … put him to death?” shows the elders appealing to the powerful precedent in which a king’s humility spared a nation. Their reminder implies that God is still eager to spare His people if they will repent. It also speaks to the broader biblical pattern that repentance leads to forgiveness. Jesus Himself taught that genuine turning back to God is necessary to avoid perishing (Luke 13:3).
Turning back to the text, the warning “But we are committing a great evil against ourselves” underscores that neglecting repentance invites misfortune. God’s character does not change; He remains open to those who seek Him in humility. Thus, Jeremiah 26:19 calls believers today to remember their spiritual heritage, to fear and entreat the Lord, and to recognize how past stories of mercy teach us about God’s willingness to respond when we call on Him.
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Jeremiah 26:19 meaning
“Did Hezekiah king of Judah and all Judah put him to death? Did he not fear the LORD and entreat the favor of the LORD, and the LORD changed His mind about the misfortune which He had pronounced against them? But we are committing a great evil against ourselves.” (v.19)
In this verse, we find a reference to King Hezekiah, who ruled Judah from 715 to 686 BC. The people are recalling that in Hezekiah’s day, when the prophet Micah predicted judgment, Hezekiah did not kill the messenger of God. Instead, he chose to reverently “fear the LORD and entreat the favor of the LORD.” By seeking divine mercy, Hezekiah displayed humility and faith, causing God to relent from bringing disaster on His people. The geography points us to Jerusalem, the capital of Judah, nestled in the southern portion of the land promised to Israel. This city was not only the political center of Judah but also the site of the temple, making it a focal point for worship and repentance.
The verse highlights the stark contrast between Hezekiah’s righteous response and the stubborn attitude of the contemporaries Jeremiah addresses. Rather than show repentance, they threaten to execute a prophet for declaring a call to change. The rhetorical question “Did Hezekiah … put him to death?” shows the elders appealing to the powerful precedent in which a king’s humility spared a nation. Their reminder implies that God is still eager to spare His people if they will repent. It also speaks to the broader biblical pattern that repentance leads to forgiveness. Jesus Himself taught that genuine turning back to God is necessary to avoid perishing (Luke 13:3).
Turning back to the text, the warning “But we are committing a great evil against ourselves” underscores that neglecting repentance invites misfortune. God’s character does not change; He remains open to those who seek Him in humility. Thus, Jeremiah 26:19 calls believers today to remember their spiritual heritage, to fear and entreat the Lord, and to recognize how past stories of mercy teach us about God’s willingness to respond when we call on Him.