Tag: Jeremiah

Devotional

Do Not Go to Egypt

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Jeremiah 42

“This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, to whom you sent me to present your petition, says: “ (Jeremiah 42:9).

The people living in Judah at this time were a remnant who have returned from living in other lands (Jeremiah 43:5). Nebuchadnezzar had conquered the people of Judah and had taken their king, and nobles (remember Daniel and his friends?) to live in Babylon. A remnant of poorer folks remained. God had appointed Gedaliah leader over the remaining remnant, but he was murdered and now the people feared reprisals.

All the army officers and the people from the least to the greatest appealed to Jeremiah the prophet to pray “to your God” for direction ( 42:1-2). Words are cheap. “May the Lord be a true and faithful witness against us if we do not act in accordance with everything the Lord your God sends you to tell us” (42:5). Their commitment seemed to be sincere. “Whether it is favourable or unfavourable, we will obey the Lord our God…..so it will go well with us, for we will obey the Lord our God” (42:6). One has to wonder how sincere they were when Jeremiah came back with an answer they didn’t like.

Ten days later God spoke. “If you stay in this land I will build you up….Do not be afraid of the King of Babylon” (42:10, 11a). “If you are determined to go to Egypt and you do go to settle there, then the sword you fear will overtake you there and the famine you dread will follow you into Egypt” (42:15b, 16) God went on to warn His people that His wrath would fall on them if they chose to live in Egypt.

One would think, with such clear guidance, the decision would be easy. Perhaps they had already made up their minds. Maybe they believed a lie. There is anguish in the voice of God: “Why?” “Why?” “Why bring such disaster upon yourselves?” (44:7, 8). I wonder today if God looks at His people with such sorrow. The remnant went to Egypt and there confronted Jeremiah, who had been swept away with them. “We will not listen”. Why? “We will burn incense to the Queen of Heaven” (the Assyro-Babylonian goddess Ishtar) (44:16, 17). It is worth noting the influence wives had over their husbands (44:15-17).

The Word of the Lord came to Jeremiah concerning the fate of Egypt, as we read in Chapter 46. “I am about to bring punishment on Amon god of Thebes, on Pharaoh, on Egypt and her gods and her kings and those who rely on Pharaoh. I will hand them over to….Nebuchadnezzar King of Babylon” (46:25-26).

Reflection:

God already had a plan, knowing the heart of each person who had promised to adhere to His will. He would use Nebuchadnezzar to accomplish His purposes; He even calls this man “my servant” (43:10). Perhaps the remnant had forgotten their God, or at least the God of Jeremiah, is Almighty! As I read these chapters, I fear our own Christian culture resembles this remnant far too much. We have been infected by our culture. Do we realize our God is all-powerful, all-knowing, and He will judge us for our thoughts and words and actions? Maybe it is not too late. God never leaves His people without hope. He offers deliverance and compassion if we choose to walk with Him (42:11, 12).

Devotional

Hope

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Jeremiah 30-31

“I will discipline you, but only with justice” (Jeremiah 30:11). What a wonderful promise God gives to His people! Israel and Judah have long been divided, each having fallen into the evil ways of the nations around them, worshiping idols and even sacrificing their children in acts of worship. In spite of their faithlessness God is going to restore them both, bringing them back to the land given to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. “The days are coming” (Jeremiah 30:3).

“These are the words the Lord has spoken concerning Israel and Judah” (30:4). “Write in a book all the words I have spoken to you” (30:2). So here we are, reading the Words of the Lord written thousands of years ago, yet coming true in my life-time. In 1948 Israel became a nation. ”I will surely save you out of a distant place, your descendants out of the land of their exile” (30:10). “I am with you and will save you” (30:11). Jews from all over the globe poured back into Israel! God’s Word is True.

Jeremiah goes on to record details of how God will restore the fortunes of His people, first healing their wounds, wounds of body, soul and spirit. “I will add to their numbers……I will bring them honour”. There will be sounds of rejoicing and singing (30:19).

In once again becoming their God, the Israelites will be protected. In fact, God will punish all who oppress them. Chapter 31 goes on to list the blessings which come. Repeatedly the Lord declares “I will be their God” (30:22, 31:1) Why? The sin which separated them was when they worshiped other gods. But their God is faithful!

Reflection:


Isn’t it precious to know that the God we are in relationship with is so faithful?! In a day and age when everything seems uncertain, where faithfulness is the exception to the rule, what comfort, what confidence we have in our God! He may need to discipline His children (us) but in the end His love remains constant. “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness. I will build you up again!” (31:3-4a). This is the believer’s hope!

Devotional

Why?

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Jeremiah 22:1-8

There are many difficult questions arising from scripture. For example: Why did God put trees in the middle of the Garden of Eden that He did not want man to touch? We might imagine what was in the mind of God, but really there is no concrete answer to this question. This is why we need to talk about faith.

What defines our faith? Is it a temporal thing such as believing a chair will hold us when we sit down on it, or is it something much deeper? In the instance of the chair, how would we explain why we believe the chair will hold us? Is it because we can see it has 4 evenly positioned legs? Is it because it is made of sturdy material that we feel will support our weight? Is it what some would describe as blind faith, believing that anything in the form of a chair was made for the purpose of weight-bearing, and therefore we can trust it?

Think about it. What do we actually see that proves there is a God? How does God impact our hearts, our feelings? How do we know there is a God whom we can trust?

Back to the garden….Adam and Eve walked and talked with God in the perfect place He had created to be their home. Visually, audibly they knew God. Suddenly they demonstrated the reality of a new knowledge – the knowledge of evil. For the first time they experienced guilt and fear after disobeying God, a significant change from their previous pleasure in His presence. Sadly, removed from their beautiful garden home their faith was no longer visual or companionable. Their social contact with God was limited. Why?

They were separated from Him by their sin. And they knew it. By virtue of eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil they now recognized evil. They had experienced perfection, but that was gone forever. No wonder God was so upset by their independent thinking, their desire for control, their disregard for His wisdom and plan. Now living in different circumstances the question asked by King David applied to their situation: “Why do the heathen rage?” (Psalm 2:1). David unveiled the resolution of world leaders to rebel against the Lord. How like today this is!

Jeremiah poses the same question “Why”? In context the Lord was warning the Israelites that people of other nations will ask “Why has the Lord done such a thing to this great city?” (Jeremiah 22:8), when God destroys it. “If” – that big little word so full of meaning, is used twice in this chapter to discuss the consequences of obedience or disobedience.

Reflection:

God gave humankind the ability to choose. Why? That ability distinguishes us from other created beings. Our “will” identifies us with the God in whose image we are made. Capable of kindness, compassion and forgiveness, man is indeed unique. Why then is man, through scientific research today trying so hard to identify us with the animal kingdom? Is it not another ploy of the Evil One? Why do we choose to grieve the Holy Spirit by our indifference to His direction, by our rejection of Jesus’ love, by our disobedience of God’s laws? Many questions remain beginning with “Why?”

by Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)

Devotional

Isaiah Talks About Moab

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Isaiah 15,16

Moab in ancient days was a kingdom east of Israel, in the Transjordan highlands. The nation arose from Lot’s incestuous child by his eldest daughter, named Moab (Genesis 19:38). They were often at war with their Israelite neighbours to the west. However events recorded in the book of Ruth testify to occasions of friendly interaction between the two nations, from time to time at least between Bethlehem and Moab.

Perhaps because he descended from Ruth, a Moabite, we know David also had friendly relations. He committed his parents to the protection of the Moabite King when pursued by King Saul (1 Samuel 22:3-4). However, once David became king he made the Moabites a tributary, while placing them under the rule of a governor. That was the end of all friendly relations.

One small incident remains to be told. When the Israelites were returning to the Promised Land from Egypt, the Moabites denied them passage through their land, causing them a long detour around, heaping God’s judgment upon themselves (Judges 11:17-18). In His judgment on them, God referred to Moab as His “washpot”, a place of accumulated filth (Psalm 60:8).

Israel suffered political upheaval under King Rehoboam. Under him the Moabites may have been absorbed into the northern kingdom of Israel, where they continued in vassalage until the death of Ahab. Eventually they refused to pay tribute, asserting their independence and making war on Israel. Later they assisted Nebuchadnezzar in his aggression against King Jehoiakim in Israel.

Isaiah and Jeremiah both refer to the burden that Moab had become (Isaiah 15-16, Jeremiah 48:42). Isaiah identifies their pride as an abomination to God, as well as their utter contempt for Israel.

At the time of Ruth we believe child sacrifices were still offered to one of their many deities. Chemosh was their chief god (2 Kings 23:13). Their religious influence reached as far into history as Solomon, who erected a “High place” for Chemosh (1 Kings 11:7). Sadly this was not destroyed until the reign of Josiah.

Isaiah is given denunciations by God against other nations, Moab included. Some hold no hope…certain nations will be cut off forever, once God’s judgment falls. However, Isaiah records a couple of very interesting phrases regarding Moab. God says “My heart cries out over Moab.” (Isaiah 15:5). “My heart laments for Moab (Isaiah 16:11).

Reflection:

What is it about this particular nation of Moab, that created angst in the heart of God? (Jeremiah 48:36)

What is it about any of us that generates His great love?

Let us remember that the essence of God’s character is love. His heart is pained when He has to declare judgment, because His intention is for His people to walk with Him in paths of righteousness, for His name’s sake! (Psalm 23).

http://www.marilyndaniels.net

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Forfeit and Loss

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Matthew 16:24-28

Forfeiture is the loss of rights to one’s property and most often occurs because one has neglected one’s duty. Jesus cautioned His disciples against forfeiting something that is infinitely precious…one’s soul. The soul is not referred to much today. Many people want to be known as “spiritual” but where does the soul enter the picture? Why would these words of Jesus matter to people living in the 21st century? Is the soul something precious?

First of all, what is the soul? The dictionary defines it as the spiritual or immaterial part of a human being, that which is immortal, which will live forever. Where does this idea come from? In Genesis, in the Garden of Eden, God breathed life into Adam and he became a living soul (KJV).

This soul is of great value to God, for it is with the soul one worships God (Psalm 103:1), loves God (Deuteronomy 6:5), serves God (Joshua 22:5), yearns for God (Psalm 42:1), clings to God (Psalm 63:8) and so forth. The soul finds rest in God alone, according to the Psalmist (Psalm 62:5) and Jesus reiterated that in Matthew 11:29. The connection of our soul with God is unique to human beings who were made in His image.

 

When some part of the body is amputated, there is significant pain. When we ignore the needs of the soul or neglect to nurture it, our spirits become vulnerable to spiritual pain. Without recognizing it, this may become the most severe form of separation anxiety. We are choked by the cares of this world (Mark 4:19) and slowly the soul loses its vibrant life-force. We may even try to fill the void by using artificial limbs, but nothing can take the place of the real thing. Jesus identifies the frustration of such an attempt. “What can a man give in exchange for his own soul?” What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world yet forfeits his soul?” (Matthew 16:26).

 

What happens to lost souls? Jesus is coming again. “He will reward each person according to what he has done” (Matthew 16:27). On the surface that might appear to be achievable…by our works we can then enter into heaven. Right? Wrong. God looks deep into the soul, judging it on the motivation for its deeds. The superficial action may look good to other people, but how does God see our hearts? Do we seek to bring Him glory by what we do? Has this good deed cost us anything? (Matthew 16:24).

 

Today so many are suffering spiritual pain – anxiety, depression, unresolved anger. Jesus longs to give these people rest. The man known for his wisdom wrote: “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise” (Proverbs 11:30). A principle is spelled out by Jeremiah: “Stand at the crossroads and look [this is where we make choices]…ask where the good way is and walk in it and you will find rest for your souls”(Jeremiah 6:16).

Reflection:

Jesus, challenging His followers then and now, references our choices. Do we want to save our lives, do we fear death at the hands of our enemies so much that we might renounce the gospel? There are modern martyrs being beaten and imprisoned, and even put to death because they have refused to renounce their faith in Jesus Christ.

Or – are we willing to lose our lives in order to save them for eternity in heaven with Him, by remaining true to our faith? (Matthew 16:25).

Visit Marilyn at http://www.marilyndaniels.net