The elders have not just presented evidence in support of Jeremiah not being declared worthy of death. Much like Jeremiah did in his defence speech in Jeremiah 26:12–15, the elders remind those listening of Jeremiah’s call to repentance, which his accusers had ignored.1 King Hezekiah is an example of someone who responded to the Lord’s warning of judgment by turning to the Lord in repentance and the elders are calling on those standing in judgment of Jeremiah to do the same. Their closing statement to the court is a very clear warning to those listening, But we are about to bring great disaster upon ourselves.
As it stands in the passage this sentence does not speak to the verdict given in Jeremiah 26:15. The court decided that Jeremiah was not deserving of death. The danger of killing an innocent man has been averted. But the real danger that still remains is the greater danger of not responding to Jeremiah’s message of impending judgment. It is the refusal to repent that will bring disaster upon the people of Judah.2
19 Ezéchias, roi de Juda, et tout Juda l'ont-ils fait mourir? Ezéchias ne craignit-il pas l'Eternel? N'implora-t-il pas l'Eternel? Alors l'Eternel se repentit du mal qu'il avait prononcé contre eux. Et nous, nous chargerions notre âme d'un si grand crime!