Take the Good with the Bad - Jeremiah 1-3 Listen to Jeremiah 1-3
Good Morning! Are you ready to get started with Jeremiah? Let us first look at historical background of Jeremiah and look how this book plays into the Bible as a whole. As I have said before, once you understand why and when the book was written, the Bible will really start to come alive for you.
Jeremiah is made of oracles of judgment against Judah and the nations, it also gives future hope for these nations. Jeremiah is written in mostly poetry form. This prophetic activity took place between 627 to 585 B.C. You might pick up that Hosea and Deuteronomy had influences on Jeremiah.
Like Isaiah, Jeremiah takes place in the time period of The Kings and The Chronicles, so this chapter is a flashback of something we have already read. Remember king Josiah (A good king) see 2 Kings 23, 25? Jeremiah received his call during the thirteen year of king Josiah's reign, but most of Jeremiah's activity took place with Josiah sons; Jehoiakim, and Zedekiah. Zedekiah was the last king before GOD handed his people into captivity to the Babylonians.
OK, so here is the heart of the book. This is why Jeremiah is called "The Weeping Prophet". When you read these chapters remember this, the book will make more sense.
Jeremiah was sent to tell the people they were DONE. There was NO hope, GOD had it, there were no more chances to get it right. They were going to be taken captive by the Babylonians. Now, if that we not bad enough, Jeremiah was told to tell them to accept this, if they wanted to live and have any future at all. WOW what a task!
Put yourself in Jeremiah's shoes. Imagine that you had to tell someone that their sons had died in the war, and that they needed to accept it and move on. Would you like that task?
Jeremiah 1:5-6, 17-19
5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
before you were born I set you apart;
I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."
6 "Ah, Sovereign LORD," I said, "I do not
know how to speak; I am only a child."
17 "Get yourself ready! Stand up and say to them whatever I command you. Do not be
terrified by them, or I will terrify you before them.
18 Today I have made you a fortified city, an iron pillar and a bronze wall to stand against the whole land-against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests and the
people of the land.
19 They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the LORD.
Thought for the Day
I really enjoyed the call of Jeremiah in chapter 1, it has a Moses kind of feel to it. I know that it is hard to read all the readings for the day, but if you have time, Jeremiah 1:4-19 is really worth reading. Especially if GOD has ever called you into some task. Or remember these verses, highlight them, WHEN GOD calls you, it would be encouraging to read them. (Notice how I said when, not if GOD calls you) :)
As I was read the call of Jeremiah, I could not help to think that GOD does not always call us into doing pleasant work. It would be nice if we only went around encouraging, baptizing, preaching, loving, and caring. But, sometimes GOD needs to get the attention of HIS people. I believe that HE allows things to happen in this world to do just this, But sometimes HE needs a more gentle approach.
I guess what I am trying to get at, is that sometimes we have to be the "Voice of truth" to our friends and loved ones. Sometimes our friends and loved ones are so stuck in a dark, sinful place they need the loving and caring "Voice of Truth" to help them. Remember when David was sinning with Bathsheba? (2 Samuel 11-12) It took a good friend (Nathan) to help king David see his sin. Then when David saw his sin, he repented whole heartily.
Now let me stop right here, NONE of this is good if it is not done with LOVE. Read that again. We are not out to get, and catch people that are sinning. It should be that we love them, and want the best for them.
I know that it is sometimes hard to tell your friends, it can be a battle. I know that in the past I have felt like GOD was prompting me to talk to one of my friends. I remember thinking, "Oh man, I do not want to do that, it is going to take forever to make him see, and I do not have the time for that right now." Sounds familiar? That is satan, trying to protect the time that he has invested in your friend. he wants to keep them.
So, has GOD been prompting or calling you to speak to someone you love or care about? Is someone you love stuck in sin? Have you been making excuses? maybe it is time to help your friend see the light again? - Have a Blessed Day!! Jim :)
Bible Trivia
What did David take from an unsuspecting King Saul, rather than killing him as David's men urged?
a) A Lock of hair
b) A corner of his robe
c) An arrow from his quiver
d) A strap from his sandal
Hint: 1 Samuel 24:1-11
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Wednesday, August 15th Reading - Jeremiah 4-6
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Bible Trivia:
What did David take from an unsuspecting King Saul, rather than killing him as David's men urged?
a) A Lock of hair
b) A corner of his robe
c) An arrow from his quiver
d) A strap from his sandal
ANSWER: b) A corner of his robe
1 Samuel 24:1-11
4. And the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the LORD said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul's robe privily.
Grannys Ramblings
So many lessons are contained within these passages.
1. Not buckling to pressure of the counsel of Man over that of the voice of God.
"You will inherit the throne of Israel." David knew that this was a promise of God and that Saul was in the way of that promise. He also knew that it was not the will of God for him to kill Saul. David respected the fact that Saul was in a position of authority, and only God could remove. David therefore even having an opportunity to remove this obstacle, he did not want it done out of time or Gods hand.
Taking Sauls life by Davids own hand would have been justified by man as an act of war, also David and his men could have justified within themselves as it being Gods fulfilment. They could of said that it was no coincidence that Saul had to stop at this moment and at this cave. I believe that it was not a coincidence and was arranged by God for Saul to be their at that time but not to be killed but as a test to train David, a lesson for us to learn and for the men of David to see his heart for following God not his own or man
2. David set forth an example about justification. Even though we could show true justification for an action that it does not mean that it is in the WILL OF GOD.
God needs no JUSTIFICATION.
3. I even can see an example of a FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT, and it is one that is found to be the hardest for most, PATIENCE. Patience (waiting) can be made easier if we know how and this is by prayer and supplication,.
4. We see that David did not ALLOW, his heart to be ruled by bitterness or anger. I love this word ALLOW, because of the freewill that God GAVE to us we have to ALLOW what RULES us.
5. David showed that his leadership among his servants was respected. Any one of them would have killed Saul so that they could stop hiding but David would not even allow someone under his AUTHORITY to supercede the will of God. Sauls blood would have still been on Davids hands even if not done actually by him but ALLOWED to be done.
Closing with the scripture in Romans 12:21-Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
David knew that it is better not to let evil overcome you and one way to overcome evil was to do good.
I have learned much about God and His teaching on Loyality. To those that are placed over us we should be kind to no matter the harships they may bring to us. Jesus tells us this in
1Peter 2:18 -
Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh.
David took one last opportunity to teach his men about trust in God showing respect for one over them. David in going to the mouth of the cave and calling to Saul he did not this in an arrogant matter. It is said when Saul turned to look, David was bowed with face toward earth, giving honour to whom honour was due, this POSITION although giving honour to Saul, left David MOST FUNERABLE to the retalelation that Saul sought. As I said above I see this as David showing COMPLETE faith in the PROMISE OF GOD and no man could harm him until GODS PROMISE WAS COMPETED.
IN CHRIST
Ecc.3
Donna
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