Overview
Irijah son of Shelemiah was a captain in the guard during King Zedekiah's reign. When Jeremiah attempted to leave Jerusalem during the Babylonian siege, Irijah arrested him on suspicion of treason, falsely claiming the prophet intended to defect to the enemy. This incident reveals the opposition God's messenger faced from military authorities who rejected his warnings of judgment.
Key Scriptures
"Now when Jeremiah was in the court of the guard, Irijah the son of Shelemiah, son of Hananiah, seized him, saying, 'You are deserting to the Chaldeans.'" (Jeremiah 37:13, ESV)
"Irijah said, 'That is false; I am not deserting to the Chaldeans.' But Irijah would not listen to him. So Irijah seized Jeremiah and brought him to the officials." (Jeremiah 37:14, ESV)
Application
Believers today should recognize that faithfully proclaiming God's Word may result in misunderstanding and opposition from those in authority, yet we must remain committed to God's truth regardless of personal cost.