Posted on Jul 1, 2018 in Jeremiah: A Walk of Sorrow for a Sinful People |
Read Jeremiah 12:1-17
Many people have asked, “Why are the wicked so prosperous?” Jeremiah knew that God’s justice would ultimately come, but he was impatient because he wanted justice to come quickly. God didn’t give a doctrinal answer; instead, He gave a challenge: If Jeremiah couldn’t handle this, how would he handle the injustices ahead? It is natural for us to demand fair play and cry for justice against those who take advantage of others. But when we call for justice, we must realize that we ourselves would be in big trouble if God gave each of us what we truly deserve.
Posted on Jul 1, 2018 in Jeremiah: A Walk of Sorrow for a Sinful People |
Read Jeremiah 11:18-23
To Jeremiah’s surprise, the people of Anathoth, his hometown, were plotting to kill him. They wanted to silence Jeremiah’s message for several reasons: 1) Economic. His condemnation of idol worship would hurt the business of idol makers. 2) Religious. The message of doom and gloom made the people feel depressed and guilty. 3) Political. He openly rebuked their hypocritical politics. And 4) Personal. The people hated him for showing them that they were wrong. Jeremiah had two options: run and hide, or call on God. Jeremiah called, and God answered. Like Jeremiah, we can either run and hide when we face opposition because of our faithfulness to God, or we can call on God to help. Hiding compromises our message; calling on God lets Him reinforce it.
Posted on Jun 29, 2018 in Jeremiah: A Walk of Sorrow for a Sinful People |
Read Jeremiah 11:1-17
This section concerns the broken covenant, and a rebuke for those who returned to idols after Josiah’s reform. Jeremiah’s rebuke prompted a threat against his life by his own countrymen. As Jeremiah suffered, he pondered the prosperity of the wicked. As he brought these words to a close, he used a rotten linen belt and filled wineskins as object lessons of God’s coming judgment.
Posted on Jun 28, 2018 in Jeremiah: A Walk of Sorrow for a Sinful People |
Read Jeremiah 10:17-25
In this section, Jeremiah uses the picture of nomads wandering in the wilderness trying to pitch their tents. The shepherds of the nation are the evil leaders responsible for the distress. Flocks are the people of Judah. Instead of guiding the people to God, the leaders were leading them astray.
Posted on Jun 27, 2018 in Jeremiah: A Walk of Sorrow for a Sinful People |
Read Jeremiah 10:1-16
Most people would like to know the future. Decisions would be easier, failures would be avoided, and successes would be assured. The people of Judah wanted to know the future, too, and they tried to discern it through reading the signs in the sky. God made the earth and the heavens, including stars that people, even today, consult and worship. No one will discover the future in man-made charts of God’s stars. But God promises to guide you, knows your future and will be with you all the way. He will not reveal your future to you, but He will walk with you as the future unfolds. Don’t trust the stars; trust the one who created the stars.
