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?"

A time to say No

 Read Jeremiah 35.

There are times when we are to say "no" to somethings in order to say "yes" to something far better.

The first principle of wisdom in the book of Proverbs is to fear the LORD (Proverbs 1:7).  That is just the beginning of all knowledge and wisdom; the starting line.  The second principle of wisdom is to listen to the instruction of one's parents (Proverbs 1:8).  That should sustain a person through life.  Unfortunately, the people of Judah showed no signs of wisdom.  They chose to ignore God and the instructions of their fathers.

To illustrate that message, God told Jeremiah to invite the family of Rechab to the Temple for a meeting.  There they were offered wine to drink, but they refused.  With clarity, the Rechabites reviewed some family commitments about their lifestyle.  They would not break those commitments even for the prophet. 

It was a test and the family passed.  God wanted to use their demonstration of obedience to their father's word as a contrast to Judah's disobedience of His word.  "...they have obeyed their father's command, I have spoken to you persistently, but you have not listened to me." (v.14b)   Then, God pronounced judgment on Judah, but rewarded the family of Rechab.

Obedience is not optional.  Faithfulness to our commitments to God is required.  There is loss and reward at stake.  "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil." (2 Corinthians 5:10)

 

God does not Forget

 Read Jeremiah 34.

As the Babylonian siege was taking place, God had a word for King Zedekiah.  Though the king would try to escape (v.3), he would be captured and taken to Babylon.  There, he would be treated respectfully and die peacefully.

The captivity lasted 70 years because the Jews had failed to observe the Sabbath rest of the land every seventh year.  So, God collected on what the people refused to give Him.  During the siege another evidence of sinful disobedience arose.  If a fellow Hebrew went into debt to another and became their slave, it was only to last six years.  In the seventh year, the debt was to be forgiven and the enslaved Hebrew set free (Deuteronomy 15:12-18).  This command from God had been ignored also.

Quickly, the citizens of Jerusalem gathered at the Temple and made a formal covenant with God to set their Hebrew slaves free.  This involved dividing a calf in two and walking between the pieces.  It was a serious promise.  The animal in essence served as a symbol of their vow.  They would keep their commitment or die like this animal.  It was not long until the people reneged on their promise and re-enslaved those same fellow citizens.

What happened?

Verse 21 indicates that the Babylonians withdrew from the siege for a time.  History tells us that the Egyptians began an attack and Nebuchadnezzar's army had leave to squelch the distraction.  With the pressure off, the people returned to their sin.  However, the army of Babylon came back (v.22).

Who has not prayed at one time or another, "Lord, if you will get me out of this, I will....."  And, as soon as the pressure is off, people tend to forget what they promised God.  Or, a man and a woman stand before God, family, and witnesses to vow faithfulness "until death" but when a temptation comes along, they quickly forget their promises.  However, God does not forget.  "Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether.”  (Psalm 139:4)

The fact that God does not forget is good for us. 
1. It holds us accountable to fulfill our promises.
2. It proves that God is ever faithful to keep His promises to us.
"The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:22-23)

 

 

4 promises of good News

 Read Jeremiah 33.

With all the bad news regarding the destruction of Jerusalem and the people who would die, the LORD now gave Jeremiah a clearer vision of hope.  His offer to Jeremiah in verse 3 was "just ask Me."

God made four direct promises concerning the future of His people.
1. "I will bring it to health and healing." (v.6)
The city experienced judgments of war, famine and disease.  But there will come a day when Jerusalem and this land will be a place of "prosperity and security."

2. "I will restore the fortunes of Judah and the fortunes of Israel." (v.7)
During the invasion and the siege, houses and buildings were destroyed.  But there will come a day when the nation will be one and all will be rebuilt.

3. "I will cleanse them from all the guilt of their sin." (v.8)
It was their rebellion against God, choosing to live the way they wanted, and worshiping other things that caused this judgment.  But there will come a day of forgiveness when the people will turn back to the LORD.  Then, He "will have mercy on them" (v.26b)

Some restoration took place in the resettlement of the land at the end of the 70-year captivity.  However, the ultimate result promised by God will be something the world has yet to see.  Jerusalem will be a "joy, a praise and a glory before all the nations of the earth" (v.9). 

Why?  Because of all the good things God has done for the Jews.

When will this happen?  That future time is marked by the prophetic phrases in verses 14 and 15, "Behold, the days are coming..." and "in those days..." 

4. "I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David." (v.15)
As a direct descendant in the royal lineage of David (Matthew 1:1), King Jesus will reign in Jerusalem, not on His heavenly throne but on the earthly throne of David.

What will characterize Messiah's rule?  "He will execute justice and righteousness in the land.  In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will dwell securely." (v.16)

Need some good news?  God has so much more to reveal to us about Himself and His plans.  They are written down in His word.  A heart that is open to Him will respond to His offer: "Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things you have not known." (v.3)

 

How difficult is your Circumstance?

 Read Jeremiah 32.

Who buys real estate when the nation is about to be completely taken over by a foreign power?  But that is exactly what God asked Jeremiah to do. 

The prophet was imprisoned for speaking the truth of God's word.  King Zedekiah only wanted to hear happy-talk about success.  He considered the message from the LORD to be equivalent to treason.  Never mind the Babylonian army had Jerusalem under full siege at the time.  Jeremiah was confused about the request God made of him to purchase land.  Yet, he was fully obedient, even though it made no sense.  He asked his assistant, Baruch, to put away the deed so that years later there would proof of ownership.

This bewilderment prompted his prayer.  In it he acknowledged that the LORD created all things and, therefore, is free to do as He wishes.  Since God has that kind of power, "nothing is too hard for you" (v.17).  He continued by acknowledging God's love and His justice.  It is at the end, in verse 25, where he expressed his confusion as to what God was doing and why.

The LORD responded by saying that now His judgment would fall on Judah.  The purchase of the land was to be a sign of hope.  God will bring all the Jews back to the land.  With the impending loss of everything, restoration seemed to be an impossible happening, except it was God who said it.  In the third portion of the chapter, the LORD continued to lay out His plan for Israel's future.

Most people believe in a god that is too small to help them.  The God of the Bible is uniquely all-powerful.  If God can call into existence the heavens and earth out of nothing, if He can raise one nation and put down another in His own timing, what can God do in our daily circumstances of life?  The LORD challenged Jeremiah’s faith, "Is anything too hard for me?" (v.27)

 

God's new promise is available Now

 Read Jeremiah 31.

There are several metaphors used to describe God's relationship with His people.
1. As a Father (v.9)
He disciplined them because of their disobedience.  But like a faithful parent, He did this in order to better prepare them as a nation for their future.  Nothing would change the fact of His commitment to them.
"I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you." (v.3)
"There is hope for your future." (v.17)

2. As a Shepherd (v.10)
Because they belonged to Him, God promised to gather them as His flock.  He will care for them, feed them and protect them.

3. As a Redeemer (v.11)
His deliverance of them from the hands of the enemy is compared to paying a ransom.  The basis of the turn in their experience with God depended upon their repentance.  With grief and shame, their hearts cried out for God's mercy and forgiveness. (vv.18-20)  He would restore them to their land and bless them.

But there is much more ahead for Israel.  Three times we read, "Behold, the days are coming."  Here, God makes a future promise of a new covenant with Israel.  The results of this covenant for the Jews in verses 33-34 will be:
-God's law will be within them, on their hearts.
-They will all know the LORD.
-Their sins will be forgiven and remembered no more.
This obviously is a prophecy that remains unfulfilled in Israel.  However, as "the time of the Gentiles" came and were grafted into God's plan of redemption, all may enjoy the benefits of the new covenant (Romans 9-11).

At His last supper with His disciples, Jesus took the cup and said, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood.  Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me."  Forgiveness of sin is available to all who turn to Him for mercy.