Nevuchadnetzar - Welcome! Yirmiya Hanavi - Banned!

Imagine living during the reign of Yehoyakim Hamelech in Judea.  A local synagogue was looking for a scholar-in-residence to inspire the Jews that attend it.  The synagogue's shabbaton committee debated whom to invite.

One member suggested inviting Yirmiya Hanavi.  After all, he was a prophet of Hashem, and knew exactly how to save the people from being swept up with the cultural currents.  That member's suggestion was shot down from the higher-ups, saying, "How does he claim to know the mind of G-d?  How dare he rebuke us for our shortcomings?"

Another member suggested inviting Emperor Nevuchadnetzar.  After all, he was known to be a motivational speaker and a mighty conqueror. That idea was hailed to be a brilliant one by the committee.  The first member who suggested the prophet Yirmiya protested, "But he is an idol worshipper!"  Those protests fell on deaf ears, and Nevuchadnetzar was selected.

Far-fetched?

Not really.

Unfortunately.