What would it take, to avert the wrath of the Lord and find restoration for the people of Judah? The repentance of the king and his court would be a good start. “Hear the word of the Lord, O King of Judah … and your servants and your people who enter these gates” (Jeremiah 22:2). What would the Lord declare? “Act with justice and righteousness, and deliver from the hand of the oppressor anyone who has been robbed. And do no wrong or violence to the alien, the orphan, and the widow, or shed innocent blood in this place” (22:3).

Part of the responsibility of government is to make sure that justice is served, especially on behalf of the poor, both citizens and immigrants, who otherwise would be robbed, oppressed, or even killed by those with more resources.

After all the words Jeremiah had given in previous chapters about the inevitability of the coming judgment, it is at least a little astonishing to read now that if the king can manage to establish justice for the poor as God has directed, this will prevent the Exile: “if you will indeed obey this word, then through the gates of this house shall enter kings who sit on the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses, they, and their servants, and their people” (22:4). Look at that: horses for everyone! And the consequences for disobedience are also spelled out: “if you will not heed these words, I swear by myself, says the Lord, that this house shall become a desolation” (22:5).

How seriously do we think we should take God’s command to care for the poor: for widows and orphans, for immigrants and refugees? Can we believe that if we could just get this right, we too could even now stave off the Exile that we seem to be heading toward?

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You call us to act with justice, O Lord. You direct us to deliver those who are oppressed. We are so reluctant to think that these are commands you actually expect us to obey. Move in our hearts, we pray, that we may heed your words, and put them into practice.