Britannica
Sources used in this answer
How did Jeremiah criticize King Jehoiakim of Judah?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Jeremiah
Jeremiah Lamenting the Destruction of Jerusalem, oil on panel by Rembrandt, 1630: in the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam.
Jeremiah’s criticism of King Jehoiakim was sharp and multifaceted, contrasting significantly with his view of Jehoiakim’s father, the reforming King Josiah. Jeremiah denounced Jehoiakim for his selfishness, materialism, and the practice of social injustice.1
The tension between the prophet and the king was further highlighted by the following events:
- The Temple Sermon: Early in Jehoiakim’s reign, Jeremiah delivered his famous "Temple sermon," in which he denounced the people for relying on the Temple for security while failing to practice genuine ethical reform. He warned that God would destroy the Temple if they did not change their ways.1
- Destruction of the Scroll: When Jeremiah dictated a scroll containing his prophetic messages to his scribe, Baruch, the scroll was read before King Jehoiakim. In an act of defiance, the king cut the scroll into pieces and burned it.1
- Political Opposition: As Jehoiakim withheld tribute from the Babylonians, Jeremiah warned that such resistance would lead to the destruction of Judah at the hands of their enemies.1