Nearly all the Jews in Jerusalem were now taken captive. They were put in chains for the journey t o Babylon. However, God remembered Jeremiah and rewarded him for his faithfulness. The Chaldean captain released him and gave him the option of traveling along to Babylon or staying in Judah. Jeremiah chose to stay behind with the poor remnant of the people in the land of Judah. The captain gave him some food and a gift and left him go. God always takes care of His people and He did not forget how Jeremiah had tirelessly preached to the hard-hearted Jews.
It would seem that all should have been peaceful. There were very few Jews left, only the very poorest people. They had a governor over them. The Jews who had fled into other countries returned to live in Judah again, but peace did not last long. Soon someone warned the governor, Gedaliah, that the king of the Amorites had sent Ishmael to kill him, but Gedaliah did not believe them. He didn't have long to wait. Soon, Ishmael came with several men and had lunch with him. After the meal the killed Gedaliah, the governor. When some of the other Jews found out about it, they caught up with Ishmael as he fled, but he escaped with a few of his men.
So, things still were not peaceful in Judah. That's how it is: we reap what we sow. The Jews had disobeyed God and lived in wickedness for many years, and now they were reaping the consequences. Jeremiah, on the other hand, had his freedom to live as he wished and all his persecutors were in chains on their way to Babylon. He was finally getting his reward for a faithful life.
Gal 6:7
7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked : for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
KJV
Friday, February 29, 2008
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Jeremiah 39 - Jerusalem finally falls
The Jews stubbornly resisted God to the last, but Jeremiah's prophecies came true. It seems that Nebuchadnezzar finally had enough of the rebellious Jews. He came and broke down the walls and burned the city with fire. But, even the Zedekiah and some of the princes and men of war still tried to escape, but they were captured and brought back to the Chaldean camp and killed (except for Zedekiah). He was forced to watch the execution of his sons. Then he was blinded, put in chains and taken to Babylon. What a sad ending for this king who bravely resisted the power of the mighty Chaldeans. However, if he would only have listened to God's Word by Jeremiah, he could have saved the city and himself.
But, there is a few good notes in the end of the chapter. Nebuchadnezzar told the captain to give Jeremiah the option of doing whatever he wanted and to be sure not to let any harm come to him. Also, Jeremiah promised Ebed-Melech safety because he had heroically rescued Jeremiah from the dungeon.
How are we doing today? Are we boldly fighting evil but forgetting to obey God like Zedekiah or are we like Jeremiah and obeying God uncompromisingly even when it's unpopular? Lord, help us to serve you without reservation our whole lives.
But, there is a few good notes in the end of the chapter. Nebuchadnezzar told the captain to give Jeremiah the option of doing whatever he wanted and to be sure not to let any harm come to him. Also, Jeremiah promised Ebed-Melech safety because he had heroically rescued Jeremiah from the dungeon.
How are we doing today? Are we boldly fighting evil but forgetting to obey God like Zedekiah or are we like Jeremiah and obeying God uncompromisingly even when it's unpopular? Lord, help us to serve you without reservation our whole lives.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Jeremiah 38 - No Compromise
Jeremiah was an amazing person. He suffered greatly with the Jews because of all their sin even though he was doing what God wanted him to do. He tirelessly told them God's Word even though they continually rejected what he said. He was put in prison, he was cast into a miry dungeon, and some people even wanted to kill him. Yet, he faithfully warned the people of coming judgment. He refused to stop preaching even when it seems he was almost the only person in Jerusalem that was standing for truth.
How willing are we to stand for truth even when it is unpopular. How easy is it for us to make exceptions to our beliefs or compromise God's truth to make it easier on our life or the lives of others. We need to stand firm on the Bible and never change our biblical position no matter how unpopular it becomes. May God give us the strength and courage to do that.
How willing are we to stand for truth even when it is unpopular. How easy is it for us to make exceptions to our beliefs or compromise God's truth to make it easier on our life or the lives of others. We need to stand firm on the Bible and never change our biblical position no matter how unpopular it becomes. May God give us the strength and courage to do that.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
The Rechabites and a king who burned the Bible
Chapter 35:
God told Jeremiah to make an object lesson. He was to use the Rechabites, a small nomadic tribe of people for the object lesson. He called them into the temple and set wine before them and told them to drink. But, they would not. They told Jeremiah that Jonadab, their forefather had instructed them not to drink wine, build house or to plant crops. He felt that the nomadic lifestyle would help them serve God more effectively, and it seems that he was correct. These people, it appears, were serving God and obeying their father in time when nearly everyone else was disobeying God.
Jeremiah then told this story to the people of Jerusalem. He told them how the Rechabites were still obeying the instructions of an old, dead man. However, the people of Judah were not even obeying the instructions of a living, powerful God, that was about to destroy them and their city. God was merciful. He had sent many prophets and warnings to these people, but they still would not obey.
How are we doing today. Are we obeying all God's commandments? He has given us many chances. He has given us the Bible to read. He has sent Jesus to offer salvation to the whole world. What are we doing with it?
Chapter 36:
Jeremiah was still in prison. So, he could not preach in the city, but he would not rest. He called his scribe and dictated a message to be read in the temple when all the people came for a fast. It seems that the Jews still maintained an outward form of godliness (many people were at the temple for the fast), but they had forgotten the true meaning of worship. So, while these people were at the temple, Baruch the scribe read all the judgments that God had pronounced on them because of their sins. When the princes heard about this, they called Baruch to read to them. After they heard it they told it to the king and then they read him the scroll. However, he was not so afraid by all the judgments in the scroll. He did not even believe them. As soon as several pages were read, he cut them out of the scroll and threw them into the fire until the whole scroll was gone. The princes tried to convince him not to burn the roll , but he would not listen. Somehow, he thought that destroying the message would make it untrue. But, God had a different plan. He told Jeremiah to have everything written down again, and he told Jeremiah to right many more similar words.
We may think that if we don't read or obey the Bible, the consequences for sin will not mean anything, but God's Word stands forever. It does not change. It is always true. There have been many attempts to destroy the Bible, and these attempts still go on today. In China many Bibles are smuggled into the country and people are still Christians. In the USA and other countries, Satan tries another tactic. We have so many Bibles we often don't appreciate them. There are also many "politically correct" versions of the Bible that are really not the true Bible. The Bible is not here in order not to offend anyone. It is hereto make people think and to change their life. Let's allow it to do that for our lives.
God told Jeremiah to make an object lesson. He was to use the Rechabites, a small nomadic tribe of people for the object lesson. He called them into the temple and set wine before them and told them to drink. But, they would not. They told Jeremiah that Jonadab, their forefather had instructed them not to drink wine, build house or to plant crops. He felt that the nomadic lifestyle would help them serve God more effectively, and it seems that he was correct. These people, it appears, were serving God and obeying their father in time when nearly everyone else was disobeying God.
Jeremiah then told this story to the people of Jerusalem. He told them how the Rechabites were still obeying the instructions of an old, dead man. However, the people of Judah were not even obeying the instructions of a living, powerful God, that was about to destroy them and their city. God was merciful. He had sent many prophets and warnings to these people, but they still would not obey.
How are we doing today. Are we obeying all God's commandments? He has given us many chances. He has given us the Bible to read. He has sent Jesus to offer salvation to the whole world. What are we doing with it?
Chapter 36:
Jeremiah was still in prison. So, he could not preach in the city, but he would not rest. He called his scribe and dictated a message to be read in the temple when all the people came for a fast. It seems that the Jews still maintained an outward form of godliness (many people were at the temple for the fast), but they had forgotten the true meaning of worship. So, while these people were at the temple, Baruch the scribe read all the judgments that God had pronounced on them because of their sins. When the princes heard about this, they called Baruch to read to them. After they heard it they told it to the king and then they read him the scroll. However, he was not so afraid by all the judgments in the scroll. He did not even believe them. As soon as several pages were read, he cut them out of the scroll and threw them into the fire until the whole scroll was gone. The princes tried to convince him not to burn the roll , but he would not listen. Somehow, he thought that destroying the message would make it untrue. But, God had a different plan. He told Jeremiah to have everything written down again, and he told Jeremiah to right many more similar words.
We may think that if we don't read or obey the Bible, the consequences for sin will not mean anything, but God's Word stands forever. It does not change. It is always true. There have been many attempts to destroy the Bible, and these attempts still go on today. In China many Bibles are smuggled into the country and people are still Christians. In the USA and other countries, Satan tries another tactic. We have so many Bibles we often don't appreciate them. There are also many "politically correct" versions of the Bible that are really not the true Bible. The Bible is not here in order not to offend anyone. It is hereto make people think and to change their life. Let's allow it to do that for our lives.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Jeremiah 33 - 34
Chapter 33:
Jeremiah was still in prison. He could have been discouraged and covered in self-pity. But, he was in touch with God and God spoke with him. God again renewed His promises that Judah would return and flourish in Jerusalem. He said that if there is no more day and night, then I will break my covenant with David that his children will rule Israel. Today, that is still being fulfilled in Christ Jesus who is in heaven ruling the earth.
Chapter 34:
God spoke to Jeremiah again and told him to tell King Zedekiah exactly what would happen to him. He would meet with Nebuchadnezzar, but he would not be killed.
After that, Zedekiah proclaimed that all the slaves should be freed. Many of the people joined him in making a covenant to free all their Jewish slaves and they did so. This was actually part of the Law. If someone was so poor that they had to sell themselves as slaves to pay their debts. Then, all were to be released every seven years. This was to give everyone another chance in life. So, all these people freed their slaves, but it seems that they realized how much they had depended on their slaves and they made them return and serve them again. Not only were these people disobeying the Law, but also, they were going back on their covenant. Making this covenant involved walking between two halves of a slain calf in order to signify that they wanted to be killed if they did not perform the covenant. Yet, it seems that they lightly broke this covenant just as they did the Law. Because of this sin, God again pronounced judgment on Jerusalem and the surrounding cities. He said that the would be destroyed and without an inhabitant. Let's always be true to our covenants to other people and most of all to God. We must always obey all of the Bible. There is nothing that we can leave out if we want God's blessing on our lives.
Jeremiah was still in prison. He could have been discouraged and covered in self-pity. But, he was in touch with God and God spoke with him. God again renewed His promises that Judah would return and flourish in Jerusalem. He said that if there is no more day and night, then I will break my covenant with David that his children will rule Israel. Today, that is still being fulfilled in Christ Jesus who is in heaven ruling the earth.
Chapter 34:
God spoke to Jeremiah again and told him to tell King Zedekiah exactly what would happen to him. He would meet with Nebuchadnezzar, but he would not be killed.
After that, Zedekiah proclaimed that all the slaves should be freed. Many of the people joined him in making a covenant to free all their Jewish slaves and they did so. This was actually part of the Law. If someone was so poor that they had to sell themselves as slaves to pay their debts. Then, all were to be released every seven years. This was to give everyone another chance in life. So, all these people freed their slaves, but it seems that they realized how much they had depended on their slaves and they made them return and serve them again. Not only were these people disobeying the Law, but also, they were going back on their covenant. Making this covenant involved walking between two halves of a slain calf in order to signify that they wanted to be killed if they did not perform the covenant. Yet, it seems that they lightly broke this covenant just as they did the Law. Because of this sin, God again pronounced judgment on Jerusalem and the surrounding cities. He said that the would be destroyed and without an inhabitant. Let's always be true to our covenants to other people and most of all to God. We must always obey all of the Bible. There is nothing that we can leave out if we want God's blessing on our lives.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Jeremiah 31 - 32
Chapter 32:
God had pronounced judgment on Judah and Israel. He said that they would be take captive because of their sins. Yet, in His love, God was already promising them many good things after they had spent 70 years of captivity in Babylon. God is still like that today. He requires faithfulness and obedience. But, even when he chastens us it is for our good. He wants to bless us. He wants to give us all His good things. So, even in the middle of all these judgments, we have a chapter that is full of promises of good things.
In verses 29 and 30 he makes a very profound statement. He says, in essence, that everyone is responsible for their own sin. Everyone has a chance to serve God. No one is doomed to sin, addiction or a certain lifestyle just because of the way their parents lived. Each person makes a choice on their own and they will live with the consequences of that choice. Although children certainly may suffer because of the wrong choices their parents have made, it is their own choices that determine their destiny.
In the end of the chapter, he gives us a glimpse of the New Covenant that God will make with His people. It is a look forward to the time when Jesus will come. He also speaks about having the Law (Holy Spirit) in our hearts. He tells us that every man will teach his neighbor to serve the Lord. He also promises forgiveness for our sins that is better than the Old Testament sacrificial system. He also speaks of a time when Jerusalem shall be a much larger city than it currently was.
Chapter 32:
Jeremiah was in a very unfortunate situation. Not only was the whole city besieged by the Babylonians, but also, he was shut up in prison within the city. He could have had every reason to be discouraged, but it seems that he was not. For, he was still in communion with God, because God told him that someone would come to sell him a field. This happened and Jeremiah bought the field. Jeremiah than wondered how it would be possible that this field could be useful, seeing that they would all be taken captive, but the Lord told him to seal up the deed in a clay pot because eventually they would return and farm the land. In the end of the chapter, God continues to pronounce judgment. Yet, He interjects promises about their return from captivity. God is a very just God and He does not tolerate sin. Yet, is His love for us, He works very hard to give us every chance to serve Him. Thank you, Lord, for your patience with us. Help us to always serve you whole-heartedly.
God had pronounced judgment on Judah and Israel. He said that they would be take captive because of their sins. Yet, in His love, God was already promising them many good things after they had spent 70 years of captivity in Babylon. God is still like that today. He requires faithfulness and obedience. But, even when he chastens us it is for our good. He wants to bless us. He wants to give us all His good things. So, even in the middle of all these judgments, we have a chapter that is full of promises of good things.
In verses 29 and 30 he makes a very profound statement. He says, in essence, that everyone is responsible for their own sin. Everyone has a chance to serve God. No one is doomed to sin, addiction or a certain lifestyle just because of the way their parents lived. Each person makes a choice on their own and they will live with the consequences of that choice. Although children certainly may suffer because of the wrong choices their parents have made, it is their own choices that determine their destiny.
In the end of the chapter, he gives us a glimpse of the New Covenant that God will make with His people. It is a look forward to the time when Jesus will come. He also speaks about having the Law (Holy Spirit) in our hearts. He tells us that every man will teach his neighbor to serve the Lord. He also promises forgiveness for our sins that is better than the Old Testament sacrificial system. He also speaks of a time when Jerusalem shall be a much larger city than it currently was.
Chapter 32:
Jeremiah was in a very unfortunate situation. Not only was the whole city besieged by the Babylonians, but also, he was shut up in prison within the city. He could have had every reason to be discouraged, but it seems that he was not. For, he was still in communion with God, because God told him that someone would come to sell him a field. This happened and Jeremiah bought the field. Jeremiah than wondered how it would be possible that this field could be useful, seeing that they would all be taken captive, but the Lord told him to seal up the deed in a clay pot because eventually they would return and farm the land. In the end of the chapter, God continues to pronounce judgment. Yet, He interjects promises about their return from captivity. God is a very just God and He does not tolerate sin. Yet, is His love for us, He works very hard to give us every chance to serve Him. Thank you, Lord, for your patience with us. Help us to always serve you whole-heartedly.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Observations from Jeremiah 30
God is just. Therefore, He cannot tolerate sin. It must be punished and it will be punished. However, in all His justice, He is also very merciful. He shows His mercy to Judah. He promised that after they were punished for their sin, they would be able to return to Jerusalem and rebuild it.
Jerusalem was an amazing city. It was the capital of an empire that reached from Egypt to the Euphrates River. Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived was the king and his wealth was beyond compare. He built a civilization that was unmatched in its time. His palace and the temple were amazing displays of wealth that people came from all corners of the then-known world to see. He had fleets of ships that traveled the oceans to bring back gold and other treasures. He had copper mines. He had many other nations under tribute as well as a heavy tax to support all this. Yet, several hundred years later, the whole city of Jerusalem was destroyed. Almost no one lived there. The palace was plundered and the beautiful temple destroyed. We also live in a country of unprecedented wealth and technology. Our world is connected and getting smaller every day. We import goods from other poor countries all over the world to consume in our mad frenzy for pleasure. We believe that we have built a civilization that will last forever. The only way to go is up. America has the world's strongest armed forces. They maintain peace and order throughout the world. America will last forever! Or will it? Look at Egypt, or Babylon. What about Greece, one of the greatest civilizations of all time? Where is Rome now? The barbarous Huns and Vandals overran it, leaving only relics of a forgotten era. What will happen to our great "Christian" nation? While USA is one of the most conservative countries in the world, it is far from Christian. There are few sins listed in God's judgment on Judah that cannot be found on the streets of America. What should we do about it? We should be a salt and a light to the world. We can delay God's judgment by doing our part. Let us not be weary in well doing, and let's not think that we have found heaven on earth here in America. Let's remember that we live in an evil world
Jerusalem was an amazing city. It was the capital of an empire that reached from Egypt to the Euphrates River. Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived was the king and his wealth was beyond compare. He built a civilization that was unmatched in its time. His palace and the temple were amazing displays of wealth that people came from all corners of the then-known world to see. He had fleets of ships that traveled the oceans to bring back gold and other treasures. He had copper mines. He had many other nations under tribute as well as a heavy tax to support all this. Yet, several hundred years later, the whole city of Jerusalem was destroyed. Almost no one lived there. The palace was plundered and the beautiful temple destroyed. We also live in a country of unprecedented wealth and technology. Our world is connected and getting smaller every day. We import goods from other poor countries all over the world to consume in our mad frenzy for pleasure. We believe that we have built a civilization that will last forever. The only way to go is up. America has the world's strongest armed forces. They maintain peace and order throughout the world. America will last forever! Or will it? Look at Egypt, or Babylon. What about Greece, one of the greatest civilizations of all time? Where is Rome now? The barbarous Huns and Vandals overran it, leaving only relics of a forgotten era. What will happen to our great "Christian" nation? While USA is one of the most conservative countries in the world, it is far from Christian. There are few sins listed in God's judgment on Judah that cannot be found on the streets of America. What should we do about it? We should be a salt and a light to the world. We can delay God's judgment by doing our part. Let us not be weary in well doing, and let's not think that we have found heaven on earth here in America. Let's remember that we live in an evil world
Daily devotional
I will be trying a new idea to complement my weekly sermons. I'm not sure if I will continue this or not, but I'd like to share the thoughts I have about my daily personal devotions. Please leave me comments with ideas or how you like this
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Monday, February 11, 2008
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