Jeremiah, in the presence of the priests and people, earnestly entreated them to submit to the king of Babylon for the time the Lord had specified. He cited the men of Judah to the prophecies of Hosea, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, and others whose messages of reproof and warning had been similar to his own. He referred them to events which had taken place in fulfillment of prophecies of retribution for unrepented sin. In the past the judgments of God had been visited upon the impenitent in exact fulfillment of His purpose as revealed through His messengers. "The prophet which prophesieth of peace," Jeremiah proposed in conclusion, "when the word of the prophet shall come to pass, then shall the prophet be known, that the Lord hath truly sent him." Verse 9. If Israel chose to run the risk, future developments would effectually decide which was the true prophet. 446

I overværelse af præsterne og folket henstillede Jeremias indtrængende til dem at underkaste sig Babylons konge i det antal år, som Herren havde angivet. Han henviste Judas mænd til de profetier, som var blevet fremsat af Hoseas, Habakkuk, Zefanias og andre, som havde irettesat og advaret folket ligesom han selv. Han pegede på begivenheder, der var indtruffet som en opfyldelse af profetier, som forudsagde, at folket ville blive straffet for de synder, som de ikke havde angret. I fortiden var de ubodfærdige blevet hjemsøgt af Guds straffedomme, akkurat som han havde forudsagt ved sine tjenere.