“The Jerusalem officials
Are within it
Like wolves
Tearing their prey.
They shed blood.
They destroyed lives
In order to get
Dishonest gain.”
The officials of Jerusalem were like the princes of Jerusalem. However, these city officials were like wolves instead of lions, seeking their prey. They too destroyed lives and shed blood. They had hoped to get some dishonest gain from these activities.
“See!
I strike
My hands together
At the dishonest gain
That you have made.
I strike
My hands together
At the blood
That has been shed
Within you.”
Yahweh was slapping his hands together, a gesture of indignation or a gesture as a need to get things done. Yahweh was upset about the dishonest gain that was happening in Jerusalem. He was also upset about the blood being shed there.
“‘Are you a king
Because you compete in cedar?
Did not your father eat?
Did not your father drink?
Did not your father do justice?
Did not your father do righteousness?
Then it was well with him.
He judged the cause of the poor.
He judged the cause of the needy.
Then it was well.
Is not this to know me?’
Says Yahweh.
‘But your eyes
With your heart
Are only on your dishonest gain,
Are only for shedding innocent blood,
Are only for practicing oppression,
Are only for violence.’”
Yahweh, via Jeremiah, takes on King Jehoiakim or King Eliakim (609-598 BCE) by making a comparison with his father King Josiah (640-609 BCE). His father rightly judged the cases of the needy and the poor. He never tried to build a great house of cedar. He ate and drank, but was filled with justice and righteousness. Thus, everything went well with him. On the other hand, King Jehoiakim has turned his eyes and heart to dishonest gain, shedding innocent blood, practicing oppression, and doing violence. Which king would you rather have?
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 