Why must Jeremiah speak to “all the cities of Judah” and not hold back a word the Lord has spoken to him?
The Lord instructs Jeremiah to stand in the court of the LORD’s house, and speak to all the cities of Judah that come to worship.
It would seem that people were coming from all over Judah to worship at the temple in Jerusalem, possibly for a religious festival.1 Jeremiah’s message would therefore reach far and wide. Even though it is a message of judgment, there is always the hope, says the Lord, that people will listen, and every one turn from his evil way, that I may relent of the disaster that I intend to do to them.
Each person must turn. How the Lord deals with the nation depends on how individuals respond to the warning.
Jeremiah is told by the Lord to speak all the words that I command you to speak to them; do not hold back a word.
The verb in the expression Do not hold back a word
sometimes refers to clipping off a beard. Jeremiah may have been tempted to cut off
some of his unpopular words to avoid fierce opposition.2 It is essential that the people hear every word that the Lord has to say to them and so his prophet must not shrink back from his responsibility.
2 Ainsi parle l'Eternel: Tiens-toi dans le parvis de la maison de l'Eternel, et dis à ceux qui de toutes les villes de Juda viennent se prosterner dans la maison de l'Eternel toutes les paroles que je t'ordonne de leur dire; n'en retranche pas un mot.