Did God sometimes use a visual illustration in telling a prophecy? Would that be fine in a sermon today? Let’s look at Jeremiah 19.
What did God ask Jeremiah to do using a clay jar to illustrate a message?
This is what the Lord said to me: “Go and buy a clay jar. Then ask some of the leaders of the people and of the priests to follow you. Go out through the Gate of Broken Pots to the garbage dump in the valley of Ben-Hinnom, and give them this message. Say to them, ‘Listen to this message from the Lord, you kings of Judah and citizens of Jerusalem! This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: I will bring a terrible disaster on this place, and the ears of those who hear about it will ring! (Jer 19:1-3 NLT)
Does God repeat a warning from Jeremiah 7 about renaming the Valley of Hinnom on the south side of Jerusalem to the Valley of Slaughter?
Because they have forsaken me, and have defiled this place, and have burned incense in it to other gods that they didn’t know—they, their fathers, and the kings of Judah—and have filled this place with the blood of innocents, and have built the high places of Baal to burn their children in the fire for burnt offerings to Baal, which I didn’t command, nor speak, which didn’t even enter into my mind. Therefore, behold, the days come,” says Yahweh, “that this place will no more be called ‘Topheth’ [a place of child sacrifice], nor ‘The Valley of the son of Hinnom’, but ‘The valley of Slaughter’. (Jer 19:4-6 WEB)
What punishment will God send to the nation for their idolatrous murder of little children in the valley of Hinnom?
I will foil the plans of Judah and Jerusalem in this place and will have them fall in battle before their enemies, before those who seek their lives. I will give their corpses as food to the birds and the wild animals. I will make this city something that sounds horrible; all who pass by it will be shocked at its pain. And when their enemies lay siege to the city, seeking their lives, they will resort in desperation to eating the flesh of their sons and daughters, and to devouring the flesh of their neighbors. (Jer 19:7-9 CEB)
What demonstration illustrating God’s message was Jeremiah to perform as he publicly prophesied?
Jeremiah, as soon as you have said this, smash the jar while the people are watching. Then tell them that I have also said: I am the Lord All-Powerful, and I warn you that I will shatter Judah and Jerusalem just like this jar that is broken beyond repair. You will bury your dead here in Topheth, but so many of you will die that there won't be enough room. I will make Jerusalem as unclean as Topheth, by filling the city with your dead bodies. I will do this because you and your kings have gone up to the roofs of your houses and burned incense to the stars in the sky, as though they were gods. And you have given sacrifices of wine to foreign gods. (Jer 19:10-13 CEV)
As Jeremiah moved from Topheth, where child sacrifice was made, to stand in the Temple court, what did he say?
Then Jeremiah came from Topheth, where the Lord had sent him to prophesy, and he stood in the court of the Lord's house and said to all the people: “Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, behold, I am bringing upon this city and upon all its towns all the disaster that I have pronounced against it, because they have stiffened their neck, refusing to hear my words.” (Jer 19:14-15 ESV)
Were the ancient fires of the valley of Hinnom a metaphor for the fires of hell?
But I tell you, everyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Fool!’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But whoever says, ‘You moron!’ will be subject to hellfire [literally the fire of Gehenna, the valley Hinnom]. (Mat 5:22 HCSB)
Did God sometimes use a visual illustration in telling a prophecy? Would that be fine in a sermon today? You decide!
