You might think that a drinking game is silly or frivolous: “They shall drink and stagger and go out of their minds” (Jeremiah 25:16). But this one is deadly serious. God’s judgment is symbolized as the “cup of the wine of wrath” (25:15), which all the nations would have to drink, starting with Jerusalem (25:17-18).

You might think that this is a game you’d prefer to opt out of. But non-participation is not an option. “Thus says the Lord of hosts: You must drink!” (25:28). God’s judgment is coming, and there is no escape. “I am beginning to bring disaster on the city that is called by my name, and how can you possibly avoid punishment? You shall not go unpunished” (25:29).

Well, except that they might avoid that punishment by repentance, as the following chapter indicates: God instructed Jeremiah to stand and preach in the temple court: “it may be that they will listen, all of them, and will turn from their evil way, that I may change my mind about the disaster that I intend to bring on them” (26:3). We might find it odd to think that the Almighty might not already know whether or not they will listen, and will say “it MAY be that they will.” We might find it even stranger to think that God could promise us absolute disaster and then reconsider that option and decide not to pour out this judgment upon us. But God’s declaration – “I may change my mind” – is explicitly stated three times in this one chapter (26:3, 13, 19).

When Jeremiah declared this prophecy, the response was not happy: “all the people laid hold of him, saying, ‘You shall die!’ ” (26:8). There ensued debate, and they decided – at least for the moment – not to kill Jeremiah (26:16-19). Yet there was another prophet, Uriah son of Shemaiah, whose message was just like Jeremiah’s (26:20). The king decided to execute Uriah. When he heard that, Uriah fled to Egypt, but King Jehioiakim sent a posse and brought him back, and they killed him (26:21-23). If you insist on telling people a truth they don’t want to hear, they may look for a way to shut you up.

* * * * *

Perhaps we will listen, O Lord, and you will change your mind about the judgment you have scheduled for us; or perhaps we will have to drink the cup of judgment, down to the last drop. The truth we most need to hear might be something we don’t like, and we’ll be tempted to kill the messenger: but grant us open ears and hearts, and give us the grace to receive your word.