Story of Two Prophets

At this time Uriah son of Shemaiah from Kiriath-jearim was also prophesying for the Lord.  And he predicted the same terrible disaster against the city and nation as Jeremiah did.  When King Jehoiakim and the army officers and officials heard what he was saying, the king sent someone to kill him.  But Uriah heard about the plan and escaped in fear to Egypt.  Then King Jehoiakim sent Elnathan son of Acbor to Egypt along with several other men to capture Uriah.  They took him prisoner and brought him back to King Jehoiakim.  The king then killed Uriah with a sword and had him buried in an unmarked grave.  Nevertheless, Ahikam son of Shaphan stood up for Jeremiah and persuaded the court not to turn him over to the mob to be killed. [Jeremiah 26.20-24]

Here is a story of two prophets.  Both prophesied the exact same thing - that disaster was imminent upon Jerusalem.  But one died and one lived.

Why?

I don't know if it has any meaning or not, but the difference I see between the two prophets is that when confronted, Uriah ran for his life but Jeremiah stayed put and faced the accusations against him.  Consequently, Uriah was killed by Jehoiakim and Jeremiah was allowed to live.

Another aspect of this story not to be overlooked is that we have record that a third party spoke up for Jeremiah and we have no such record of any such advocate for Uriah.

Again, why?

I guess we have two lessons here: one is to stand up for what is right on behalf of ourselves, and the other is to stand up for what is right on behalf of others!

Father, help me to see and learn what it is that You are speaking to me from the portions of the Bible that I read each day.  Let it be that these lessons permeate my being.