Did you really mean what you Prayed?

 Read Jeremiah 42.

Prayer is not just saying the right words.  Prayer involves submission of our will to God's will.

The courageous Johanan rescued the people of Mizpah who had been taken by Ishmael.  With the murder of the governor of Judah and some of the Babylonian representatives, Nebuchadnezzar would surely retaliate.  To avoid any more battles, Johanan was leading the group in an escape to Egypt.  On the way, they stopped to ask Jeremiah to pray for them.

Their requests in verses 2-3 have all the appearances of sincerity and godliness.
1. Mercy.
God had inflicted His judgment upon Judah.  Now, this remnant desired His compassion.  Food was in extreme short supply.  They were frightened by the prospect of the Babylonian revenge, even though these people were innocent.  They wanted God's intervention.

2.  Direction.
Should we go or stay?  If we go, will God bless us in Egypt?  If we stay, where should we settle?  They asked for God's will and His leadership.

3. Wisdom.
They wanted to know what God wanted them to do.  In the truest sense, this was an opportunity for a brand new start.  Everything was in front of them.  Decisions needed to be made.

These prayer requests were followed by strong words of commitment, even before they knew the answers.  They promised to obey God no matter what.  "Good or bad, whether we like it or not, we will do what God wants done." 

God did answer them.  They were to stay in the land of Canaan.  There would be no need to fear.  God promised He would take care of them.  However, if they disobeyed and journeyed to Egypt, they would die and experience the very things they were trying to avoid.

But, they had already made up their minds to go to Egypt.  Their words to Jeremiah proved empty.  Their plans were set; they just wanted God to bless their disobedience.  They willfully marched headlong into disaster.  Isaiah 53:6 states that wanting to go our own way is the essence of sin against God.

How God desires for us to cast our total dependence upon Him.
"All to Jesus I surrender, All to Him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust Him, In His presence daily live."
J.W. Van DeVenter

A key to a leader's Survival

 Read Jeremiah 41.

A leader's success and survival most often depend on those closest to him.  Listening to the right voices and knowing who to trust is crucial.

Gedaliah was a good man who had been appointed to govern Judah under Babylonian rule.  His closest advisers warned him of the murder plot from the rebel Ishmael.  But Gedaliah ignored the threat and in a demonstration of unity, he invited Ishmael and his men to dinner.  It cost him his life and the lives of all those present, including the representatives of Babylon.

Ishmael was a descendant of David's royal family and surely thought he had a right to rule.  But he was a rebel.  He rebelled against God and would not listen to Jeremiah's messages.  He rebelled against the Babylonians and fled to the Ammonites to mount a fight against the invaders.  Here, he deceived Gedaliah only for the purpose of mass murder.  He had no qualifications or character to lead anyone, let alone Judah.

A leader needs to listen to everyone so he knows what people are thinking.  But decisions must be made wisely.  First and foremost, the character of the person who seeks to influence the leader must be considered.  Ulterior motives must be exposed.  Tolerating lack of character and wrong motives will lead to disaster.

1. Do not trust a rebellious person.
"For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft." (1 Samuel 15:23)
"An evil man seeks only rebellion." (Proverbs 17:11)

2. Do trust the wisdom of God and godly people.
"The way of the fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice." (Proverbs 12:15)
"The counsel of the LORD stands forever." (Psalm 33:11)

The difference may be life and death.

 

Faithfulness gets Rewarded

 Read Jeremiah 40.

Proverbs 16:7-"When a man's ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him."

Chained and herded along with all the other captives, Jeremiah had been taken to Ramah.  Here, the captain of the guard decided the fate of each one.  Many were marched to Babylon.  The poorest of the poor were allowed to stay in the land.

The captain's words to Jeremiah in verses 2-3 clearly indicate that he knew who Jeremiah was and about the messages from God that he delivered.  Jeremiah was not part of the rebellion and posed no threat.  Indeed, God's message to Judah was to surrender to the Babylonians.  As a result, Jeremiah was unchained and given absolute freedom.  Not only that, the captain presented Jeremiah with provisions and a present.

Jeremiah chose to stay in Judah.  His ministry changed.  No longer would he be preaching to kings and the people of Jerusalem.  Jerusalem had been destroyed and the seat of government moved to Mizpah.  Those remaining were either very poor, a remnant of soldiers in the field who just discovered what happened, or untrustworthy rebels.

Years had passed and the prophecies of the LORD concerning Judah's downfall came true.  Jeremiah suffered but not at the hands of the enemy.  It was his own people who refused to listen to God's word that tried to do him harm.  Even the unbelieving captain could see that God's word was true.

Ultimately, trust for our lives must be in the Sovereign LORD.  He is working His plan in His time.  Meanwhile, He requires us to be faithful servants, taking what comes-good and bad-knowing that there are rewards waiting for those who love Him.  It is by faith, not by feeling or by sight, that we hold on to this truth.  "And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him." (Hebrews 11:6)

 

Truth and Consequences

 Read Jeremiah 39.

The prophecy of Jerusalem's downfall came true, just as God had warned.  In 586 B.C., after a 30 month siege, the Babylonians breached the northern wall and quickly seized control. 

1. Zedekiah (vv.4-8)
Meanwhile, King Zedekiah did exactly what Jeremiah told him not to do; he tried to escape.  The results were disastrous and brutal.

God had made His message clear that surrender would mean life and continued rebellion would lead to dire consequences for both the king and the city.  He refused to listen to the truth.  Instead, he relied on his own understanding and heeded the lies of others.
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6)

However, during the hostile takeover of Jerusalem, God stepped in to take care of two faithful men.

2. Jeremiah (vv.11-14)
Nebuchadnezzar personally gave the order to protect and provide for this faithful prophet.  The new appointed governor, Gedaliah, was given full responsibility for Jeremiah.  Whatever the prophet said or needed was to be done.  It would be natural to ask how the King of Babylon even knew who Jeremiah was and why would he treat Jeremiah with such favor.  There are several clues.  In chapter 29, Jeremiah wrote letters to the exiles in Babylon.  Nebuchadnezzar may have been aware or even read the letters.  Then, as some Judahites surrendered early to the Babylonians during the siege, they doubtlessly would have mentioned what the prophet said in calling for a surrender.  The third plausible possibility is that Daniel and his three friends, who had already been taken to Babylon, spoke highly of Jeremiah to the king.  At any rate, God took care of this one who had suffered much while serving Him.
"And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you." (1 Peter 5:10)

3. Ebed-melech the Ethiopian (vv.15-18)
This man served as a high official to King Zedekiah.  While all the other officials wanted Jeremiah dead, he went to the king and put his own life and reputation on the line for Jeremiah.  All the other officials were slaughtered by the Babylonians, but God divinely protected this African believer and rewarded him "because you have put your trust in me."
"Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us." (Psalm 62:8)

 

3 character qualities needed when telling the Truth

 Read Jeremiah 38.

The message was simple enough.  "Surrender and you will live.  If you try to fight with your own resources, you will fail and the city will be burned."

The king's officials rejected Jeremiah's words and accused him of treason.  With the king's permission, they lowered the prophet in a muddy bottomed cistern and left him there to die.  There are times when one may say exactly what God wants said, do exactly what God wants done, and suffer for it.

It was an Ethiopian official who realized that Jeremiah would starve to death and called the punishment evil.  The king was not much of a leader and seemingly gave into anyone, except God.  He granted the Ethiopian his request to pull Jeremiah out of the pit and then wanted to hear the prophet's message for himself. The king knew Jeremiah would tell him the truth.

Through it all Jeremiah demonstrated a mature and godly character.
1. Honesty.
He could have embellished or withheld the truth of God's word.  He could have made the message more palatable, perhaps by saying this is just his opinion about what God said, his own view, or his tradition.  He could have left out the unpopular parts.  One of the great problems in Christianity today is not communicating the whole counsel of God.  It is much more acceptable to speak of love and omit the awful, specific, Biblical consequences of disobeying God.

2. Submission. 
Such an attitude begins with the absolute confidence that God is in control.  With that in place, it is He who has the ultimate authority.  Submitting to God allows us to see beyond the human authorities, regardless of what they may do.  "Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." (2 Timothy 3:12)  The test is to surrender to the Holy Spirit's control and trust Him for the outcome.  Our hope is not in this life.  Existence here is temporary.  The committed believer always has an eye toward heaven and eternal life. 

3. Discretion. 
Jeremiah told the truth but he did not tell everyone everything he knew.  Discerning the timing and the amount of truth to share requires great wisdom.  Some do not want to hear the truth.  Trying to force-feed them will produce a disastrous result.  Some like the king, publicly will say one thing but inside they really do want to hear what God has said.  It is always life-changing event when an open heart connects with the truth of God's word.

 

God has spoken. Now what?

 Read Jeremiah 37.

The destruction of Judah took place in several waves of conquest by the Babylonians.  Despite consistent warnings, no one "listened to the words of the LORD spoken through Jeremiah the prophet." (v.2)

For a while, the pressure subsided as the Egyptian army came up from the south to try to help Judah.  But that did not last long as Babylon's army repelled the Egyptians and returned to the siege of Jerusalem.

Though he refused to heed God's word, Zedekiah wanted Jeremiah to pray for him and the nation (v.4).  God answered Jeremiah's prayer on their behalf, but it was certainly not the answer Zedekiah selfishly wanted.  The Babylonians would return and burn the city of Jerusalem.

Later, King Zedekiah spoke directly to Jeremiah in verse 17 and asked, "Is there any word from the LORD?"  Again, the answer was not one for which the king had hoped.  God's judgment was sure.

What hypocrisy!  What duplicity!  And, how common for natural human thinking.

On one hand, many people do not believe God's word and will not obey Him. 

Then, on the other hand, they will want God to answer their prayers.

Such thinking reveals a self-centered, unyielding, sinful heart that wants the God of the universe to obey them.

The Lord delights in answering the prayers of those who come to Him in humility, with a pure heart, and willing to obey His word.

"And without faith it is impossible to please him for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him." (Hebrews 11:6)

"For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him" (2 Chronicles 16:9a)  

 

How do you respond to what God said?

 Read Jeremiah 36.

How a person responds to the word of God does not change God's word.

This chapter provides some details about the writing of the Scriptures. 
God spoke to Jeremiah (v.2).  Jeremiah dictated what God said to Baruch, who wrote God's word on a scroll (v.4).  When certain officials heard what the Lord said, they were afraid of the consequences presented (v.15).  They knew immediate action was required.  However, when King Jehoiakim heard the message, he cut the scroll into pieces and burned them (vv.23-24).  He had no fear of God or the consequences.

There is a consistent process throughout the Bible and to this day of letting others know God's truth.
1. Presenting what God has said.
The number one reason liberal churches are dying is that they have forsaken the teaching of the Scriptures for culturally acceptable speeches.  The number one reason people are not mature in their faith is they do not know and have not been taught what God has said.  The Scriptures are the inerrant and infallible word of God and it will not change.  "The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever." (Psalm 119:160). Without the foundation and focus being on the Bible, there will be an absence of truth to the message.

2. Hearing what God has said.
In order for the Scriptures to have any effect on a life, the person must be listening with an open heart.  We need to be like Samuel who said, "Speak, LORD, for your servant hears."  When a person humbly hears God's word, life-change is about to happen.

3. Turning from sin to obedience of what God said.
What spurs a person to respond in obedience is great respect for who God is and the fear of the consequences if they do not obey.  Selfish, sinful pride closes one's heart and causes them to believe the lie that they can take it or leave it.

4. Experiencing God's forgiveness.
As explained in verses 3 and 7, the judgment is coming.  The only sane alternative is for people to acknowledge they have been going in the wrong spiritual direction, "plea for mercy," and receive God's forgiveness.

The Apostle Paul explained the same process this way in Romans 10:13-14.
"For 'everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'  How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed?  And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard?  And how are they to hear without someone preaching?"