Why will “courage fail both kings and officials, and priests be appalled, and the prophets be astounded”?
In Jeremiah 2:8, Jeremiah 26:1–24 it was the leadership of Judah that had failed to lead the people in faithfulness to the Lord. They are now singled out again. When the Lord’s judgment comes the courage of kings and officials will fail. Priests will be appalled, and prophets astounded.
National leadership will collapse. All it had were the false hopes given by false prophets and the empty security offered by apostate priests
.1 The total failure and unfaithfulness of leadership in Judah, both political and religious, would be exposed.
9 “In that day, declares the LORD, courage shall fail both king and officials. The priests shall be appalled and the prophets astounded.”