Is it the messenger or the message?

 Read Jeremiah 26.

These chapters are not in chronological order.  They appear to be grouped for emphasis.  The message is certainly not a new one, but we are given details not previously disclosed.

God gave Jeremiah very specific instructions for the sermon, including the exact place to deliver it.  Because of the anticipated reaction, the LORD encouraged Jeremiah with "do not hold back a word."  Obediently, the prophet went to the Temple and preached just as God had instructed him.  To call the religious leaders of the day and the gathered worshipers to repent or else brought an immediate response.  But it was not a favorable one.

When the leaders heard him pronounce impending judgment against Jerusalem and the destruction of the Temple, they accused him of being a false prophet worthy of death.  So, they brought charges against him before Judah's judicial leaders to hear the case.  They decided that Jeremiah was not guilty of a capital offense.  One of the elders even quoted the prophet Micah (Micah 3:12) from 70 years before in the days of Hezekiah.

Important insights can be found in Jeremiah's defense. It was based upon three crucial pillars that must be true of anyone who claims to be speaking on God's behalf.
1. The source of the message. (v.12)
"The LORD sent me to prophesy."  "Thus says the LORD" (v.4).  It was not Jeremiah's word but God's.  The test of any message today is to open the Bible and see it for yourself.  Personality preaching, cultural messages, and affirmation soliloquies are signs of false prophets.  Even though they hold a Bible in their hands while speaking does not mean their message conforms to the truth of Scripture.  When the Apostle Paul spoke, the listeners in Berea checked to be sure it was the truth.  "Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so." (Acts 17:11)

2. The choice of the message. (v.13)
God's word brought conviction of their guilt.  But, instead of hearing the hope of deliverance that was offered, they pridefully chose to attack the preacher.  Had they been worshiping and serving the LORD at the Temple with humility, their hearts would have been soft and immediately they would have desired what God wanted.  Preaching hope without confronting God's judgment on sin is a sign of a false prophet.  Both are always presented side by side in the Scriptures.  "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him." (John 3:36)

3. The heart of the messenger. (v.14)
How could Jeremiah be so submissive in the face of these false accusations?  The answer is that he was innocent and his heart was pure.  If he had delivered his own message, if he had preached with insincere motives, if his life did not support the veracity of what he said, then he should have been condemned as a false prophet.  But with the grace, courage, and strength God gave to him, he stood.  "For in truth the LORD sent me to you to speak all these words in your ears."

“But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that in in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.”  1 Peter 3:15 

A good word for all of us.

 

Time to Collect

 Read Jeremiah 25.

For twenty-three years, Jeremiah faithfully delivered the messages God gave him.  He was not the only one.  The LORD sent other prophets to warn Judah, as well (v.4).  But as persistently as the preachers preached the people refused to listen and turn back to God.  Therefore, the time had come for the judgment to fall.

Amazingly, God called Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, "my servant" (v.8).  From our human vantage point it is not possible to be certain of all we see taking place in the world.  However, throughout history the LORD has used even the vilest of nations to enact His will on unrepentant peoples.  In Romans 13, the Apostle Paul very clearly made the case for respecting governmental authorities and why we should do so.  He wrote the book when Nero was in power saying, "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities.  For there is no authority except from God and those that exist have been instituted by God....For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer." (Romans 13:1-4)

Such a perspective is as hard for us to envision today, as it had to be for the believers living in Rome in the first century.

Nevertheless, the Babylonians will destroy the kingdom of Judah and take many of its people captive back to Babylon for seventy years.  Why seventy?  The Levitical law stated that every seventh year that Israel occupied the land, they were to take a Sabbatical year off and give the agricultural fields a rest (Leviticus 25:3-5).  It was part of their stewardship of God's property.  In their selfish greed and rebellion, the people chose to ignore God's word.  It was time for God to collect on what they had failed to give Him.  The LORD performed a forced rest of the land for those years all at one time.  "Until the land had enjoyed its Sabbaths.  All the days that it lay desolate it kept Sabbath, to fulfill seventy years." (2 Chronicles 36:20-21)

The first lesson of stewardship is that God owns it all (Psalm 24:1).  Failing to obey God's word in the use of our time, energies and income is not an option.  We are to joyfully give to God in worship what He expects of us.  He, then, multiplies our offerings to be much more than if we had tried to hoard them.  If not, one day He will collect what is rightfully His.

The Good and the Bad

 Read Jeremiah 24.

The Babylonians came against Judah, just as God had said they would.  The complete takeover of the land, and Jerusalem in particular, occurred with increasing pressure over a period of years.  In the first wave, Nebuchadnezzar took the king at that time, Jeconiah, and some top leaders in government and commerce as his prize captives.  Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego would have been in this selected group.

Those who were not taken captive thought they had escaped punishment and were now in the clear.    But what they failed to realize was that their fear had been misplaced.  It was not the Babylonians they were to be afraid of but God.  Those taken to Babylon were treated quite well for the most part.  Those left behind were going to face the justice of God.

To communicate this in vivid terms, God gave Jeremiah a comparative message of figs: good figs and bad figs.  According to the law, the first-fruits of the harvest, the best of the crop, were to be presented to God.  After the harvest the leftovers were not fit to eat.  He quickly related it to the Babylonian captivity.

1. Good Figs. (vv.4-7)
The Temple was in Jerusalem and that meant the captives may have thought that they were separated from the worship and presence of God.  Eight times the LORD used the word "I" in explaining His personal involvement with those who had been taken.  Instead of this being an indicator that they did something wrong, God called them good.  He promised to keep His eye on them for good.  He promised to bring them back, build them up, plant them in the land, and give them a heart for Him.  Since the exile lasted 70 years, not all of this prophecy was fulfilled in the return then.  New Testament passages, such as Romans 11:26-27, clearly tell that more is coming when Messiah reigns on earth.

2. Bad Figs. (vv.8-10)
Those remaining in Jerusalem were to experience punishment, as promised.  Five times the LORD used the word "I" to let them know that He would personally mete out His judgment on their sin and rebellion against Him. 

Not all bad things that happen to us is because we did something wrong.  For those of us who fear the LORD and live for Him, we can trust that He acts on purpose and that He is working His plan in us.
"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.  For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son..." (Romans 8:28-29a)

 

6 marks of a faithful Pastor

 Read Jeremiah 23.

Jesus' harshest words were those that condemned the religious leaders of His day, because they were ungodly men, pretending to represent God.  In this chapter, Jeremiah delivers a like message to the false prophets, ungodly priests, and derelict shepherds of Judah.  God described them as evil-doers, adulterers, and liars.  As a result, the people, like sheep without care and leadership, were needy and scattered.

What should they have been doing instead to prove themselves faithful shepherds of God's people?
1. The people need to be gathered. (v.3a)
Having a suitable place to assemble is a primary need of sheep and the responsibility of the shepherd.  This is a New Testament priority for those who claim to be followers of Jesus.  "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25)

2. The people need to be fruitful and multiply. (v.3b)
Without new births, the flock will eventually die off.  Something is wrong when sheep do not reproduce.  The faithful shepherd oversees and manages the health of the flock so that reproduction takes place.  Followers of Jesus are commanded to "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations..." (Matthew 28:19)

3. The people need care. (v.4a)
Little lambs need special attention until they are mature enough to take care of themselves for the most part.  On the journey, injuries happen.  The kind shepherd pays attention to what is needed.  Jesus announced that He fulfilled this prophecy: "The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor and bind up the brokenhearted." (Isaiah 61:1)  For the church, those who minister do so as the hands of Jesus.

4. The people need their fears allayed.  (v.4b)
Few animals are more skittish than sheep.  They are incapable of protecting themselves.  It is the shepherd's job to protect them from attack and harm.  The faithful shepherd was prepared with a rod to fight off wolves.  If anything were to cause trouble for the sheep they would have to go through the shepherd to get to them.  Jesus said, "I am the door of the sheep."  "The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."  (John 10:7 and 11)

5. The people need individual attention. (v.4c)
A large, gathered flock is often a healthy sign.  But the good shepherd not only sees the multitude, he sees individuals.  There is no substitute for this personal relationship.  "Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds, for riches do not last forever."  (Proverbs 27:23-24a)  Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd.  I know my own and my own knows me." (John 10:13b)

6. The people need to hear the word of God. (v.22)
This was the root issue.  These phony prophets and priests claimed to be speaking for God.  In fact, they were making up their own messages (vv.16 and 26) and merely quoting each other (v.30).  The result of these false, feel-good messages meant the people did not turn from their sin and their lives were not changed (v.22).  "Let him who has my word speak my word faithfully." (v.28b)

 

The hyperlink between belief and Behavior

 Read Jeremiah 22.

This is a series of messages addressed to the next generation in the royal family.  Each of them violated their promise to obey the LORD and rule as a godly leader for the nation.  Their character proved to be corrupt.  Instead of serving the people, they became oppressors and took unjust gain.  As a result, they and the kingdom of Judah paid an awful price.

God's leadership requirements of government include justice and insuring the rights of the poor and needy (vv.15-16).  And, then God asked the question that reveals one's spiritual condition: "Is not this to know me?"  In other words, if you truly have a personal relationship with the living God, your behavior will show it. 
Those who say the Christian life is not one of do's and don'ts are simply incorrect.  True, we are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9).  However, in the Old and New Testaments God holds those who claim to know Him to high standards of behavior.

"He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" (Micah 6:8)

"If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless.  Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit the orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained from the world." (James 1:26-27)

As the chorus from a previous generation stated:
"If you are saved and you know it, then your life will surely show it."

 

A choice between life and Death

 Read Jeremiah 21.

There is a time gap of over 15 years between chapters 20 and 21.  The narrative jumps over the reign of several kings to the time of Zedekiah, the last of Judah's 20 kings.  The Babylonian army had laid siege to the city of Jerusalem (v.4) and the king wished to know God's will.  Though years had passed and the prophecy was unfolding, the king still held out hope that maybe God would intervene on their behalf.  So, he sent two of his trusted men to inquire of Jeremiah.  Note: this Pashhur is not the same man mentioned in chapter 20.

God had not changed His plans to punish Judah for their rebellion and sin.  In a step by step series of declarations, the LORD relayed through Jeremiah what was about to take place.   
1. "I will turn back the weapons of war that are in your hands." (v.4a)
Zedekiah prepared his people to fight against the enemy and try to save Jerusalem.  It was a foolish notion to think that they could overcome the world's most powerful army.  God told them that their weapons would be used against them.

2. "I will bring them together in the midst of the city." (v.4b)
God will cause the Babylonians to breach the walls of Jerusalem and assemble the enemy right in the heart of the city. 

3. "I myself will fight against you." (v.5)
The Babylonians were only pawns in the Hand of God to perform all that He wanted done.

4. "I will strike down the inhabitants of this city." (v.6)
The LORD sent a disease among the people that killed many even before the fighting began.

5. "I will give Zedekiah...into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar." (v.7)
As prophesied several times previously, all the people would experience one of four things.  They would either die by disease, sword, famine, or they would be taken captive back to Babylon.

6. "I set before you the way of life and the way of death." (v.8-9)
They had a choice.  By surrendering and going into captivity they would live.  If they chose to stay and fight, they would die.

7. "I have set my face against this city for harm." (v.10)
The day of judgment for their years of sin had come.  This was not the good news for which Zedekiah hoped.

In the same way, God offers to all a choice between the way of eternal life through Jesus or face the certainty of eternal punishment.  Like Zedekiah, many will try to put off the decision and hope for a last minute reprieve.  But God's plans will not be changed.  We need to respond in surrender to Him now and live.

 

When God’s word constrains Us

 Read Jeremiah 20.

Jeremiah delivered the message just as the LORD instructed him.  The reaction was swift and painful.  The chief officer of the Temple, a priest named Pashhur, judged Jeremiah as inciting the people and beat him with 40 lashes (Deuteronomy 25:2-3). Then, he placed Jeremiah in stocks so the people could mock the prophet as he suffered.

But Jeremiah changed neither his mind nor his message.  Instead, he called Pashhur "Terror on Every Side" to emphasize what was going to happen to this priest, Jerusalem, and Judah.  Then, Jeremiah named the enemy who will bring the terror upon them.  In a prophetic word, this is the first mention of Babylon in the book and he used it four times (vv.4-6).

Hurting physically and emotionally from this experience, Jeremiah cried out to God with unusual transparency.  He faithfully preached God's word and suffering within an inch of his life became his reward.  It felt as though the LORD had "deceived" him.  He thought about not speaking on God's behalf any longer.  He wanted to quit.  But the word of God was like a raging fire within him.  He could not hold it in.  God would be victorious but eternity was at stake for the people (v.11).

Notice the seesaw of his emotions.  When he remembered God's perspective he could "Sing to the LORD; and praise the LORD!"  It was when he took his eyes off the LORD and looked at his circumstances, he just wanted to die (vv.13-18).

The Apostle Paul also suffered repeatedly as he spread the good news of Jesus throughout the Roman Empire.  Why would a man keep doing this?  He explained: "For the love of God controls (constrains, arrests, seizes) us."  "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us.  We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God." (2 Corinthians 5:14, 20)

May the good news of Jesus so burn within us today that we must share it with others.  Their eternity is at stake.