Read Jeremiah 12.
If you have ever complained to God, you are in good company. So did
Jeremiah. His attitude was not one of rebellion but bewilderment.
He knew God was right and the prophet wanted to understand what God was
doing.
In the previous chapter, the LORD warned Jeremiah of a plot against his life.
Part of Jeremiah's confusion had to do with the prosperity of those who
opposed God's message and who desired to kill the messenger. In addition
to their apparent wealth, there was a huge lack of spiritual integrity with the
opposition. It seemed that God had blessed them, yet "you are near
in their mouth and far from their heart." (v.2) Why was God allowing
this?
The response from God challenged the prophet. In essence He asked in
verse 5, "If you cannot take this pressure, what will you do when things
get worse?" And, they will. Some of Jeremiah's enemies were
among his own family (v.6). God then announced in no uncertain terms that
He would "abandon" Judah and allow other nations to destroy the land
(vv.7-13).
Many have used such passages to declare that God is through with the Jews and
spiritualize all subsequent references in the Bible to the contrary.
If one continues reading, however, the abandonment is not forever.
This immediate punishment will last for 70 years at the hands of the
Babylonian Empire. Ultimately, in the Millennial Kingdom, Israel and the
nations will experience a complete restoration.
"I will again have compassion on them, and I will bring them again each to
his heritage and each to his land." (v.15) The principle is this:
"But if any nation will not listen, then I will utterly pluck it up
and destroy it, declares the LORD."
We are living in between these two major events: the Babylonian captivity and
the coming earthly reign of Christ. But now every individual is being
held accountable for listening to God and responding with genuine faith.
"Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the
rebellion." (Hebrews 3:15)
No comments:
Post a Comment