Thursday, June 25
Read Jeremiah 10
Think About It:
In Joshua chapter 24, we see before Abraham trusted in the true God, he had been a worshiper of idols. During their years in Egypt, the Jews were exposed to the gross idolatry of that land. Some of it stayed in their hearts. That is why when Moses was meeting with God on Mount Sinai, the people made a golden calf and worshiped it (Exodus 30). I find it so hard to believe that they had seen the Glory of God in fleeing Egypt, heard the voice of God, and accepted the law of God; yet “they change their Glory into the image of an ox that eats grass” (Psalms 106:20).
- Jeremiah looks around and ridicules the idols (verses 1-16): Instead of separating themselves from the evil practices of the nations as Moses had instructed, Israel gradually imitated those practices and began to worship pagan gods. But these gods were worthless, manufactured by craftsman, “Like a scarecrow in a melon patch”. They can’t speak or walk, and they have to be carried around (Psalms 115).
- Jeremiah looks ahead and laments the judgment that is coming (verses 17-22): Jeremiah saw the invasion of the Babylonian army and the distress it would bring. He urged the people to pack their bags and get ready to move, because they would be hurled out of the land like stones from slings. Jeremiah pointed out the reason for this disaster: the shepherds, spiritual leaders, didn’t seek the Lord but instead lead the people astray. The judgment came “for the sins of her prophets, and the inequities of her priests” (Lamentations 4:13).
- Jeremiah looks up and prays for mercy (verses 23-25): God had instructed Jeremiah not to pray for the nation, so he didn’t. Instead, he prayed for himself as a representative of the nation. Once again, he identified with the pain of the people. This prayer represents three arguments to persuade the Lord to be merciful to his people.
God must remember that they’re only weak humans who don’t know how to run their own lives.
But if God gave them what they deserved, they would be destroyed.
The nation’s attacking Judah deserved punishment for seeking to destroy God’s chosen people.
The prophet wasn’t giving vent his own personal wrath; he was pleading for the Lord to keep his promise to Abraham and protect the nation from extinction.
Family Time:
- Some people want to know the future, so they look to the stars. We know who made the heavens, the earth and even the stars. God knows our future. He said He will be there with us all the way. Trust in God alone.
- Verse 10 says, “the Lordis the true God; He is the living God and the everlasting King.” Say AMEN!
