"HOW TO CARRY OUT A TOUGH ASSIGNMENT" is based
on the book of Jeremiah as recorded in the
N.I.V. Bible. It was written about 35 lifetimes
ago in 626 B.C. Our comments are in brackets.
God says to you "Before I formed you in the womb
I knew you. I set you apart to tell my people
what they need, but don't want to hear."
I said "I'm just a kid and don't even know how
to speak."
The Lord said "No worries, just go to everyone I
send you to and say what I tell you to. "Don't
fear, I'm with you, I'll rescue you." Then He
touched my mouth and said "I've put my words in
your mouth. I appoint you over nations to
destroy, build and plant."
Then He said "What do you see?" I said "An
almond tree." God said "Right. It means I watch
to see my word is fulfilled." Again He asked
"What do you see?" I said "A boiling pot tilting
south." God said, "Right. It means disaster will
come from the north, being my judgments on my
people for their wickedness in forsaking me, and
worshipping what their hands have made. Don't
fear. Tell kings, officials, priests and people.
They'll fight against you but won't succeed
because I am with you to rescue you."
(Chapter 1)
God said "Tell my people -
As a bride you loved me
and followed me through the barren
dry, dark uninhabited wilderness
to the land of milk and honey I'd prepared.
You were set apart for me
and I disposed of any who attacked you.
So why:
Find fault in me?
Stray so far from me?
Follow worthless idols and so become
worthless like them?
Not remember all I'd done for you?
Didn't priests ask "Where is the Lord?"
Didn't Bible scholars know me?
Did leaders rebel against me?
Did prophets follow and speak by worthless
idols?
Exchange your glory for worthless idols?
Forsake me, the Spring of Living Water and
dig broken leaking wells? Double sins!
When born free (Genesis 15) do you
persistently become slaves of non believers
as punishment for forsaking the Lord?
Look to non believers for help?
Not consider and realise how evil and bitter
it is to forsake and have no awe of God?
Refuse to serve me?
Do you act as a prostitute - skilled at
pursuing love?
When I planted a choice vine did you turn out
corrupt?
Do you vainly try to get rid of the stain of
your guilt (without repenting of your sin)?
Won't you admit you are defiled?
I've seen your behaviour in the valley.
That of a wild desert donkey sniffing
the wind in her craving - in her heat
who can restrain her? Males won't need
to tire themselves to find her.
Do you say I love foreign gods, I must
go after them?
Do leaders, officials, priests and prophets
disgrace God's people by turning their
backs on me, turning to idols - and then,
when in trouble, ask me to come and
save them?
Have you all rebelled against me and not
responded to my correction?
Do God's people say "We are free to roam, we
will come to you no more." ?
Do you claim you haven't sinned when the
blood of the innocent poor is on your
hands?
Do you look to everyone but me for help when
I have already rejected them so they can't
possibly help?
(Chapter 2)
Would you return to me since you have lived
as a prostitute with many lovers?
Do you call me father and friend and ask
if I'll always be angry when you still do
all the evil you can?
This prostitution defiles the land - stops the
spring rains - causes drought.
Return to me faithless people for I am merciful,
won't stay angry forever and will cure your
backsliding.
But acknowledge your guilt, your rebellion
against me, your adultery, your disobedience.
Then I'll give you shepherds after my own heart
who will lead you with knowledge and
understanding.
And all nations will gather to honour the name
of the Lord. No longer will they follow the
stubbornness of their own hearts."
God's people weep and plead because they
perverted their ways and forgot their God.
They say:
"We will come to you for you are the Lord our
God.
The Lord our God is our salvation.
To our shame and disgrace we have allowed
shameful gods to consume us.
We have sinned against the Lord our God, we
and our fathers and have not obeyed the
Lord our God."
(Chapter 3)
The Lord says,
"If you return to me my people and:
Put your detestable idols out of my sight,
No longer go astray,
Break up your unploughed ground,
Don't sow among thorns,
Circumcise your hearts to the Lord (give
yourself 100% to Him),
In a truthful, just and righteous way you
swear as surely as the Lord lives,
Then the nations will be blessed by God and in
Him they will glory.
If you don't do this my wrath will burn with
unquenchable fire because of the evil you have
done.
(And because of His love for His people He is
involved in their sufferings because of His
judgment). So He says:
"Sound the trumpet.
Flee to the fortified cities.
I am bringing terrible destruction.
My people, wash the evil from your heart and
be saved.
How long will you harbour wicked thoughts?
My people, your own rebellious conduct and
actions have brought this upon you.
My people are fools.
They do not know me.
They are senseless children.
They have no understanding.
They are skilled in doing evil.
They know not how to do good.
The whole land will be ruined though not
destroyed completely."
(Chapter 4)
God has trouble finding a single one of His
people who deals honestly and seeks the truth so
He can forgive. They are good at religious
jargon but it's false.
They refuse God's correction, they won't repent.
And it's not just the uneducated who do not know
the way of the Lord, their leaders are no
better.
Their rebellion is great, their backslidings
many.
God says:
"Why should I forgive you who have forsaken me
and turned to false gods?
I supplied all their needs but they committed
adultery, like lusty stallions neighing for
another man's wife.
Should I not punish and avenge myself for
this utter unfaithfulness?
They have lied about me, saying:
No harm will come to us.Their prophets who do
not take my word seriously are but wind.
Because of this I will destroy the
fortifications in which they trust.
And when you ask why? I'll answer
"You forsook me for foreign gods so, go on,
see what help they are to you."
But I won't destroy all of you completely.
Foolish, senseless people with eyes that
don't see and ears that don't hear, with
stubborn and rebellious hearts, shouldn't
you tremble and fear me?
I give rain and harvest but your sins
deprived you of these.
Too many of you are rich, fat, sleek and
powerful, living in houses full of deceit,
who do not plead the case of the
fatherless or defend the rights of the
poor.
A horrible shocking thing has happened -
Prophets tell lies.
Priests rule by their own authority.
My people love it this way.
But what will you do in the end?
(Chapter 5)
I must punish oppression, violence and the
lack of shame of my people which are ever
before me.
From least to greatest, all are greedy for
gain.
Prophet and priest alike practice deceit.
They prescribe bandaids when major surgery
is needed.
They say "peace, peace" when there is no
peace.
Are they ashamed? No way!
So I'll destroy them.
Ask where the good way is and walk in it and
you'll find rest for your souls, but you
said, No.
I said "Listen to my watchmen" but you said
No.
Therefore disaster for not listening and
rejecting my law.
And don't waste my time with your religion.
Your offerings aren't acceptable, your
sacrifices don't please me.
So, sackcloth, ashes, bitter wailing for you,
terror on every side, for you hardened
rebels.
And does my judgment furnace produce refined
silver? No!"
(Chapter 6)
The Lord Almighty stands at the gate of His
house and says:
"Really reform and change your ways and
actions.
Don't trust this building or deceptive,
worthless religious phrases such as:
This is God's house, God's house, God's
house.
Deal justly with each other.
Don't oppress the alien, fatherless or widow.
Don't shed innocent blood in this place.
Don't follow other gods.
Don't steal, murder, commit adultery and
perjury, follow other gods and then come
before me here and say "We are safe" to do
all these detestable things.
Has this place become a den of robbers to
you?
I have been watching.
Check out history - this won't be the first
place I've bulldozed because of sin.
I spoke again and again and I called but you
wouldn't listen or answer.
All this provokes me to anger and harms and
shames you.
When I brought your forefathers out of Egypt,
I didn't just give commands about burnt
offerings and sacrifices, but I commanded
obey me, and I will be your God and you
will be my people. Walk in all the ways I
command you, that it may go well with you.
You wouldn't listen or pay attention to this.
You preferred the stubborn inclinations of
your evil hearts and went backwards not
forwards.
Day after day, again and again, I sent
prophets but stiffnecked, you wouldn't
listen to my warnings.
This people won't obey the Lord its God or
respond to correction. Truth has perished.
Therefore these people are dead, their
carcasses will rot in the fields under the
sun, moon and stars they loved, served,
followed, consulted and worshipped. Their
land will be desolate.
(Chapter 7)
Wherever I banish them, the survivors of this
evil nation will prefer death to life.
Why do they always cling to deceit, turn away
and pursue their own course?
Birds migrate at my directions but my people
don't know my requirements.
They say "We are wise, we have God's law" but
the lying pen of the scribes has falsified
it. Having rejected God's word they'll be
put to shame, dismayed, trapped, their
wives and property given to other men.
Why did you provoke me to anger with your
images, your worthless foreign idols?
So now, the harvest is past, the summer is
ended but you are not saved.
(Chapter 8)
They are all adulterers, unfaithful liars.
Going from one sin to another they don't
acknowledge - worse, they refuse to
acknowledge me.
Deceivers, slanderers, they weary themselves
with sinning.
They speak cordially to neighbours while in
their hearts setting a trap for them.
The land is a ruined desert because my people
have forsaken and disobeyed my law and
followed the stubbornness of their hearts.
They'll be pursued, destroyed and scattered
among the nations, these who are
uncircumcised in heart.
Don't boast of wisdom,strength or riches,only
boast of understanding and knowing that I
am the Lord who delights in and exercises
kindness, justice and righteousness on
earth.
(Chapter 9)
The ways and customs of non believers are
worthless. Their gods are like dumb
scarecrows in a melon patch, able to do
neither good or harm. Frauds.
"But no one is like you O Lord, you are:
Great, your name is mighty in power.
To be revered, king of the nations as is your
due.
Matchless, no one is like you.
The true, living, eternal God.
The one who, when angry, makes earth and
nations tremble.
The one who made the earth by His power and
wisdom and stretched out the heavens by
His understanding.
The one who thunders making the waters in the
heavens roar, who makes clouds rise from
the ends of the earth, sends lightning,
rain and wind.
The maker of everything,including His people.
The Lord Almighty.
So here is a good prayer:
I know Lord my life is not my own, it is not
for me to direct my steps.
Correct me Lord, but only with justice,not
anger lest you reduce me to nothing.
Pour out your wrath on the nations who do not
acknowledge you, on people who don't call
on your name, for they have devoured your
people."
(Chapter 10)
The Lord says:
"I made a covenant (agreement between
unequals) when I brought Israel out of
Egypt. It was that:
You will be my people and I will be your
God giving you a land flowing with milk
and honey (roughly modern Israel) -
if you obey me and do everything I command
you.
And cursed is the man who does not obey
the terms of this covenant."
To all this Jeremiah said - "Amen Lord."
"From Egypt to to-day I warned again and again
saying obey me. But no listening, no
attention. Just the continued following of
their stubborn hearts breaking the
covenant.
So the curses fell on them.
Inescapable disaster.
No amount of temple treading mixed with evil
schemes will avert it.
The "establishment" was not impressed with all
the foregoing so a plot was made to kill
Jeremiah and the Lord revealed it to him.
Jeremiah said, "O Lord Almighty you judge
righteously testing the heart and mind.
Let's see your vengeance on them for
to you I have committed my cause."
So the Lord disposed of the plotters.
(Chapter 11)
Jeremiah asks God why do the wicked and
faithless, who have God on their lips but far
from their hearts, prosper? How long will
drought grip the land and wildlife die because
of the sins of the people.
God replies that, in judgment on their sin, He
is going to give His beloved people into the
hands of their enemies. They will sow wheat
and reap thorns, wear themselves out and gain
nothing.
The enemies of God's people will in turn be
uprooted from their lands. But in God's
compassion returned later. Any who learn God's
ways from His people and swear by Him "will be
established among my people." But any nation
that does not listen will be destroyed.
(Chapter 12)
God told the prophet to buy a linen belt, wear
it, bury it and dig it up again. He did so and
found it ruined and useless.
God explained that He had bound His people to
Himself like a belt, "to be a people for my
renown, praise and honour." But they wickedly
refused to listen to my words, following the
stubbornness of their hearts, and going after,
serving and worshipping other gods. So they are
like this belt - completely useless!
So "I will allow no pity, mercy or compassion to
keep me from destroying them."
The prophet cries out to His people to hear
God's word, pay attention and give glory
(repent) before He brings darkness. If they
don't, "I will weep bitterly in secret because
the Lord's flock will be taken captive." And if
you ask why,"it is because of your many sins."
As the leopard can't change his spots, "neither
can you do good who are accustomed to doing
evil."
And God says, "I will scatter you like chaff
driven by the desert wind ... because you have
forgotten me and trusted in false gods. I will
pull up your skirts over your face that your
shame may be seen - your adulteries and lustful
neighings, your shameless prostitution. I have
seen your detestable acts ... how long will you
be unclean?"
(Chapter 13)
God's people mourn, wail, cry, are dismayed and
despairing because the ground is cracked, wells
are dry, the land drought stricken.
The prophet says "Although our sins testify
against us, O Lord, do something for the sake of
your name for our backsliding is great; we have
sinned against you." O hope of your people, its
saviour in time of distress ... "You are among
us, O Lord, and we bear your name, do not
forsake us."
God replies, "They greatly love to wander, they
do not restrain their feet." So the Lord does
not accept them; He will now remember their
wickedness and punish them for their sins. He
tells the prophet to save his breath praying for
them. Their fasting and offerings won't be
accepted. "Instead I will destroy them with
sword, famine and plague."
The prophet says that false prophets tell the
people no judgment will come, that there will be
constant peace. (Sounds just like Neville
Chamberlain, the British prime minister, who,
after selling out to Hitler at Munich just
before the start of world war 2, stood on the
tarmac at London airport, waved the paper that
Hitler had signed and shouted "Peace in our
time.").
God replies. These prophets speak lies in my
name, they're neither sent, appointed, or spoken
to by me. They speak false visions, divinations,
idolatries, and delusions of their own minds.
They and their hearers will suffer "the calamity
they deserve."
God's justice and love go together. (So while
punishing His people He also suffers with them).
So He says My eyes overflow with tears night and
day without ceasing; for my virgin daughter - my
people - have suffered a ... crushing blow. In
the country, those slain by the sword, in the
city, famine and prophet and priest exiled.
The prophet says - Are we rejected completely,
afflicted beyond healing? We acknowledge our
wickedness, the guilt of our fathers; we have
indeed sinned against you. "For the sake of your
name, do not despise us ... Remember your
covenant with us and do not break it." Only you
can bring rain. "Therefore our hope is in you."
(Chapter 14)
God replies. Even Moses and Samuel pleading for
these people wouldn't change my mind. Off with
them! If they ask where? say to death by the
sword, as meat for dogs, birds and beasts,
starvation and captivity. "I will make them
abhorrent to all the nations of the earth." No
one will have pity, mourn them or "stop to ask
how you are?" You have rejected me, you keep on
backsliding, so I will destroy and no longer
show compassion. I'll bring winnowing,
bereavement and destruction. They have not
changed their ways so I'll "suddenly bring down
on them anguish and terror." Survivors will be
put to the sword before their enemies.
The prophet says, Alas that I was born. The
whole land strives with, contends and curses me.
God replies. I'll deliver you and make your
enemies plead with you. But the wealth of my
people will be plundered because of their sins.
Enemies will exile and enslave them. My anger
will kindle a fire that will burn against them.
The prophet says, Remember, care for and avenge
me. Don't take me away. "Think of how much I
suffer reproach for your sake. When your words
came, I ate them, they were my joy and my
heart's delight, for I bear your name O Lord God
Almighty." I never sat with revellers. "I sat
alone because your hand was on me and you filled
me with indignation. Why is my pain
unending...?" I'm not sure I can rely on you.
God replies "If you repent I will restore you
that you may serve me; if you utter worthy not
worthless words, you will be my spokesman. Let
these people turn to you but you must not turn
to them." They'll fight but not overcome you,
"for I am with you to rescue and save you ...
from the hands of the wicked ... the grasp of
the cruel."
(Chapter 15)
God tells the prophet not to marry or bear
children in this doomed land. Nor to show
sympathy to the bereaved because "I have
withdrawn my blessing, my love and my pity from
this people" nor to enter a house and join in
festivities, because "I will bring to an end the
sounds of joy and gladness ... in this place."
And when the people ask why? say "Because your
fathers forsook me, followed, served and
worshipped other gods ... And did not keep my
law. And you have behaved more wickedly ... each
following the stubbornness of his evil heart
instead of obeying me. So I will throw you out
of this land" and in a foreign land "you will
serve other gods day and night, for I will show
you no favour." Yet, in time I'll restore them
to this land. But for now, I'll hunt them down
"from the crevices of the rocks. My eyes are on
all their ways; they are not hidden ... nor
their sin concealed from my eyes. I will repay
them double for their wickedness and their sin,
because they have defiled my land with ... vile
images and detestable idols."
The prophet interjects "O Lord my strength and
my fortress, my refuge ... nations will come ...
and say 'Our fathers possessed nothing but false
gods' ... that did them no good."
God continues "Therefore I will teach them -
THIS TIME I will teach them my power and my
might. Then they will know that my name is the
Lord."
(Chapter 16)
My people's sin is engraved with an iron tool on
their hearts. All your wealth I'll give away as
plunder because of sin throughout your country.
"Through your own fault you will lose the
inheritance I gave you." You'll be slaves of
your enemies because "you have kindled my anger
and it will burn forever."
"Cursed is the one who ... depends on flesh for
his strength and whose heart turns away from the
Lord ... he will be like a bush ... in a salt
land where no one lives."
"But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
whose confidence is in Him. He will be like a
tree planted by the water" with green leaves,
not fearing drought, always fruitful.
The prophet observes "The heart is deceitful
above all things and beyond cure. Who can
understand it?"
God replies "I the Lord search the heart and
examine the mind to reward a man according to
his conduct."
The prophet observes "The man who gains riches
by unjust means ... will prove to be a fool."
All who turn away from the Lord, the spring of
Living Water will be written in the dust (dead).
My healing and salvation comes from the Lord
whom I praise. My persecutors keep asking when
will these dire threats come to pass. Put them
to shame but keep me from it. But I've kept on
passing on your warnings. "What passes my lips
is open before you. Do not be a terror to me;
you are my refuge in the day of disaster."
The Lord says to the prophet. Tell my people to
keep the Sabbath Day holy as I command and their
city will be inhabited forever. "Yet they did
not listen or pay attention; they were
stiffnecked and would not ... respond to
discipline (so) ... I will kindle an
unquenchable fire ... that will consume her
fortresses."
(Chapter 17)
The Lord told the prophet to watch a potter who
was shaping a pot which was "marred in his hands
so the potter formed it into another pot,
shaping it as it seemed best to him."
The word of the Lord to God's people being "Like
clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my
hand." If I announce destruction and you repent
of your evil I will repent and not inflict the
planned disaster. Likewise if I plan building up
and you do evil and disobey me, I will
reconsider the good I intended.
So my people "I am preparing a disaster for you
... so turn from your evil ways, each one of
you, and reform your ways and your actions. But
they will reply ... we will continue with our
own plans; each of us will follow the
stubbornness of his evil heart. Therefore the
Lord says ... Who has heard of anything like
this ... My people have forgotten me (so) ....
their land will be laid waste ... I will scatter
them before their enemies; I will show them my
back and not my face in the day of their
disaster."
The prophet's enemies said "Let's make plans
against Jeremiah ... let's attack with our
tongues and pay no attention to anything he
says."
The prophet says "O Lord hear ... my accusers
... remember ... I stood before you and spoke in
their behalf to turn your wrath away from them
... but you know, O Lord, all their plots to
kill me. Do not forgive their crimes."
(Chapter 18)
The Lord told the prophet to buy a clay jar,
take some of the elders and priests outside the
city and say The Lord Almighty ... says:
"Listen! I am going to bring a disaster on this
place that will make the ears of everyone who
hears tingle. For they have forsaken me and made
this a place of foreign gods (and) filled this
place with the blood of the innocent" so beware
I will devastate this city and you'll eat the
flesh of your children during its siege. Then
break the jar and say "The Lord Almighty says: I
will smash this nation" like this jar which
can't be repaired. Then the prophet told the
people in the court of the Lord's temple of the
coming disaster because as God had said "They
were stiffnecked and would not listen to my
words."
(Chapter 19)
The chief temple officer had the prophet beaten
and put in stocks there. Released the next day
the prophet told him God had given him a new
name - Terror - to himself and his friends.
Because, after the plunder of the city you and
all ... in your house will go into exile in
Babylon. There you will die and be buried, you
and all your friends to whom you have prophesied
lies.
(The prophet is not Superman, he has a lonely
thankless task without human encouragement. He'd
been going well, but this was A BAD DAY).
So he says, "O Lord, you deceived ...
overpowered me. I proclaim violence and
destruction and am ridiculed and mocked all day
long. Your word has brought insult and reproach.
But if I say, I will not mention Him ... His
word is in my heart like a fire. I can't hold
it in. Many whisper Let's report him. Friends
wait to take revenge on me (some friends!) But
the Lord is with me like a mighty warrior; so my
persecutors will slumber, fail, be disgraced
and not prevail. O Lord Almighty, you who
examine the righteous and probe the heart and
mind let me see your vengeance ... for to you I
have committed my cause."
"Give praise to the Lord! He rescues ... the
needy."
(And now, what a downer - just like you and me
dear friend!).
"Cursed be the day I was born! .. Why did I ever
come out of the womb to see trouble and sorrow
and to end my days in shame."
(And God is understanding, this time there was
no rebuke).
(Chapter 20)
With the city now under attack, officials asked
the prophet if God would miraculously save them
as in the past. The answer was - No way! "I
myself will fight against you ... in anger and
fury and great wrath." Plague, sword, famine
with no mercy, pity or compassion was in store,
the people given the options of staying in the
city and death or surrendering and life. Leaders
were reminded they should have administered
justice every morning and rescued the robbed
from his oppressor.
(Chapter 21)
God's message to the officials of His people is:
Do what's just and right.
Rescue the robbed from his oppressor.
Do no wrong or violence to aliens,
fatherless or widows.
Don't shed innocent blood.
But if these commands aren't obeyed I'll flatten
your fortifications (to-day this means
"Christian" denominational and institutional
church strongholds. These monuments to fear and
the insecurity that comes from lack of faith in,
and obedience to, Jesus Christ the living Word
in the freedom and power of the Holy Spirit).
And when passers by ask Why? the answer is
"Because they have forsaken the covenant of the
Lord their God and have worshipped and served
other gods."
(And don't forget that the Jews "conned"
themselves that all was well between them and
God by continuing religious services right up
'til Jerusalem was "blitzed" to rubble. Plenty
form, no substance. The comfort of a religion
that accommodates itself to sin. But God can't
be and never will be in this. To see the
seriousness of sin look at the cross! So the air
raid sirens wailed loud and long as this
prophetic book [for our day too] clearly shows.
But to no avail).
Give God's people half a chance and what will
they do? Build palaces and cathedrals, with a
touch of unrighteousness, a little injustice,
some meagre wages and plenty of expensive
panelling.
But God asks "Does it make you a king to have
more and more cedar?" Doing what's right and
just, defending the poor and needy. "Is that not
what it means to know me?" declares the Lord.
"But your eyes and your heart are set on
dishonest gain, on shedding innocent blood and
on oppression and extortion ... I warned you
when you felt secure, but you said, 'I will not
listen!' This has been your way from your youth;
you have not obeyed me. --- You will be ashamed
and disgraced because of all your wickedness."
(Chapter 22)
The Lord says:
To the shepherds who are destroying and
scattering the sheep of my pasture.
"Because you have scattered my flock and
... not bestowed care on them, I will
bestow punishment on you."
"I myself will gather the remnant of my
flock ... and bring them back to their
pasture where they will be fruitful and
increase in number."
"I will place shepherds over them who will
tend them, and they will no longer be
afraid or terrified nor will any be
missing."
"I will raise up a righteous branch,
(Jesus Christ) a king who will reign
wisely and do what is just and right in
the land. --- And He will be called ---
the Lord our Righteousness."
People will no longer just say the
living Lord rescued the Israelites from
Egypt, but that He brought them back from
where He had banished them.
Concerning prophets, they:
Follow an evil course.
Use their power unjustly.
With priests, are ungodly, even in my temple.
Prophesy by false gods.
Lead my people astray.
Commit adultery and live a lie.
Strengthen the hands of evildoers, so no one
turns from his wickedness and they are
like Sodom to me.
Cause ungodliness to spread through the
land.
Speak visions from their own minds.
Prophesy dreams, delusions of their own
minds, lies in my name, thinking this will
make my people forget my name.
Keep saying to those who despise me, The
Lord says: You will have peace.
Keep saying to those who follow the
stubbornness of their hearts,"No harm will
come to you."
Therefore God says about these prophets:
Their path will become slippery, I will
bring disaster on them, make them eat
bitter food and drink poisoned water.
Don't listen to them. "They fill you with
false hopes..."
They haven't seen or heard my word.
I didn't send them but they've run with
their message.
I didn't speak to them yet they prophesied.
If they'd known me they'd have proclaimed my
words and turned my people from their
evil ways and evil deeds.
I fill heaven and earth and do they think I
don't know what's going on?
I am against those who steal words,
supposedly from me, from each other, who
wag their own tongues and yet declare
"The Lord declares."
But God says, "Let the prophet tell his dream,
but let the one who has my word speak it
faithfully. For what has straw to do with grain?
... Is not my word like fire ... and like a
hammer that breaks a rock in pieces."
And no more saying "This is an oracle of the
Lord" because every man's word becomes his
oracle and so you distort the words of the
living God. Everlasting disgrace will be upon
anyone who does this.
(Chapter 23)
God showed the prophet two baskets of figs, one
good, one bad.
He explained that the good represented exiles
after Jerusalem's destruction who:
"My eyes will watch over for their good" for
restoration to His land.
He would build up, plant and give "A heart
to know me."
Will be my people and I their God.
Would return to Him with their whole heart.
And that the bad represented officials and
people fit only for destruction by sword, famine
and plague.
(Chapter 24)
The prophet warned for 23 years but no one
listened or paid attention and other prophets
were no more successful.
Therefore the Lord Almighty says I will
completely destroy them and banish them to
Babylon for 70 years. Then I will wipe out the
Babylonians for the guilt of their deeds and the
work of their hands.
And further "The Lord will roar from on high ...
against all who live on the earth ... for the
Lord will bring charges against all nations ...
judgment on all mankind and put the wicked to
the sword."
"Weep and wail you shepherds ... leaders of the
flock, for your time to be slaughtered has
come."
(Chapter 25)
The Lord told the prophet to stand in the
courtyard of the Lord's house and say this is
what the Lord says: If you do not listen to me
and follow my law, which I have set before you,
nor listen to my prophets whom I've sent again
and again, then total wipeout for you.
So priests,prophets and people crowded round and
seized him and said "You must die." Officials
from the royal palace came. Priests and prophets
said to officials and people "This man should be
sentenced to death."
The prophet said - The Lord sent me and you've
heard His message. "Now reform your ways and
your actions and obey the Lord your God. Then
the Lord will relent and not bring the disaster
He has pronounced against you." As for me, do
what you think is right and good. "Be assured
however, that if you put me to death, you will
bring the guilt of innocent blood on yourselves,
on this city and on those who live in it, for in
truth the Lord has sent me to you to speak all
these words in your hearing."
Then officials and people said to priests and
prophets "This man should not be sentenced to
death! He has spoken to us in the name of the
Lord our God."
Some elders then addressed the assembly to
support the above decision. They quoted history
when King Hezekiah heeded similar warnings by
the prophet Micah and the Lord relented of the
disaster He had pronounced on them.
So Jeremiah was not handed over to the people
to be put to death.
(Chapter 26)
God told the prophet to make a yoke and put it
on his neck and then warn 5 neighbouring nations
to submit to the yoke of God's servant, the King
of Babylon. If not "I will punish that nation
with sword, famine and plague" ... if so "I will
let that nation remain in its own land to till
it and live there declares the Lord."
He gave the same message to the king of God's
people, Zedekiah. Lying prophets had been
telling the king that articles from God's house
which had been taken as booty by the Babylonians
would be returned. Jeremiah refuted that, saying
the reverse would be the case. The few remaining
articles would also be "taken to Babylon and
there they will remain until the day I come for
them declares the Lord. Then I will bring them
back and restore them to this place."
(Chapter 27)
Another prophet, Hananiah, confronted and
contradicted Jeremiah in the Lord's house in the
presence of the priests and people and said: The
Lord Almighty will "break the yoke of the King
of Babylon" and within 2 years bring back the
plundered articles from the Lord's house
together with God's people who had been taken
captive and exiled there.
Jeremiah replied that, in the circumstances, a
message of peace was likely to be that of a
false prophet. (Neville Chamberlain again!).
So Hananiah took the yoke off Jeremiah, broke it
and said before all the people "This is what the
Lord says: In the same way I will break the yoke
of ... the King of Babylon off the neck of all
the nations within two years." So Jeremiah left.
Then the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah. Tell
Hananiah the wooden yoke he broke will be
replaced with a yoke of iron "on the necks of
all these nations to make them serve ... the
King of Babylon."
He told Hananiah "The Lord has not sent you, yet
you have persuaded this nation to trust in
lies." So the Lord says you're dead and he was,
within 2 months.
(Chapter 28)
Jeremiah wrote to the exiles in Babylon that the
Lord Almighty the God of Israel says:
To settle down there.
To pray for and seek the peace and prosperity
of the city.
Don't listen to prophets who lie and say
other than the above.
After 70 years I'll come to you and bring you
back. "For I know the plans I have for
you, ... to prosper ... to give you hope
and a future." You'll call and pray and
I'll listen. You'll seek and find me when
you seek me with all your heart.
As for those remaining in Jerusalem, the Lord
Almighty says: "I will send the sword, famine
and plague against them ... for they have not
listened to my words ... and you exiles have not
listened either."
You cannot have prophets prophesying "lies to
you in my name" ... and (who have) committed
adultery. "I know it and am a witness to it."
One such prophet, Shemaiah, sent letters to
priests and people in Jerusalem "to put any
madman who acts like a prophet (meaning
Jeremiah) in stocks and neck irons ... (for he)
poses as a prophet (and) sent this message to us
in Babylon: It will be a long time (so) settle
down."
But the priest read the letter to Jeremiah. So
the Lord told Jeremiah to send the message to
the exiles that because Shemaiah had lied I will
surely punish him and his descendants. He won't
see the good things I will do for my people ...
because he preached rebellion against me.
(Chapter 29)
The word of the Lord to Jeremiah "Write in a
book all the words I have spoken to you" ready
for when I bring my people back.
The Lord's words about His people:
I'll save them from a fearful time of
trouble.
I'll break the yoke off their neck and tear
off their bonds.
No more enslavement to foreigners.
"Instead they will serve the Lord their God
and (Jesus Christ) their King.
So no fear or dismay, I am with you and will
surely save you from exile.
Peace and security for them.
Necessary punishment,discipline with justice.
The exile was my punishment for your great
guilt and many sins."
Their enemies will in turn be punished and
exiled.
I'll restore your health and fortunes, heal
your wounds and have compassion on your
dwellings.
I'll give songs of thanksgiving, rejoicing,
add numbers, bring honour.
I'll establish their community before me.
I'll give a leader (Jesus Christ), one of
their own. I will bring him near and he
will come close to Me, for who is he who
will devote himself to be close to Me
declares the Lord. (Who indeed except
Jesus Christ - certainly no product from
this nation of "rotten apples").
(And so, dear reader, to a great burst of
sunlight across this cold grey sin ravaged
landscape. Jesus Christ will bring a new
covenant (agreement between unequals). Man is,
and ever will be, a total hopeless failure. His
only hope is a miraculous undeserved
intervention by God. In short, Jesus Christ. And
if a man will come to His cross, admit his
bankruptcy made it necessary, and trust the Lord
Almighty in His love and mercy to save him - He
will. It's called the new covenant. And the
world can breathe again. Because if you can't
see it by now you never will - the Jews were
NEVER going to get it right).
"So you will be my people and I will be your
God."
"So the storm of the Lord will burst out in
wrath ... on the heads of the wicked. The fierce
anger of the Lord will not turn back until He
fully accomplishes the purposes of His heart."
"In days to come you will understand this."
(Chapter 30)
The Lord says:
At that time I will be Israel's God, they'll
be my people and I will come to give them
rest.
I have loved you with an everlasting love.
I have drawn you with loving - kindness.
I will build you up again.
You'll take up tambourines, dance, sing, be
joyful.
You'll plant and enjoy your fruit.
Watchmen in the land will call people to go
up to the Lord our God at Jerusalem.
Make your praises heard and say "O Lord save
your people, the remnant of Israel."
I'll gather them, the lame, the blind. They
will come with weeping and pray as they
come.
I'll lead them beside streams of water on a
level path, where they won't stumble,
because I am Israel's Father.
I scattered Israel, now I'll gather her,
I'll watch over my flock like a shepherd.
I'll ransom and redeem them from the hand
of those stronger than they.
They'll come and shout for joy and rejoice
in the bounty of the Lord.
They'll be like a well watered garden,
they'll sorrow no more.
I'll turn their mourning into gladness- give
them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.
God's people will return from the land of
the enemy, so there is hope for your
future declares the Lord.
God's people needed discipline like an
unruly calf. They say:
Restore me and I will return, because you
are the Lord my God.
After I strayed, I repented.
After I came to understand, I beat my
breast.
I was ashamed and humiliated because I
bore the disgrace of my youth.
God replies:
They are my dear son, the child in whom I
delight.
Though I often speak against him, I still
remember him.
My heart yearns for him; I have great
compassion on him.
As you go into exile leave road signs so
you'll know the way back. Return my
people. How long will you wander, O
unfaithful daughter?
The Lord Almighty says: When I bring them
back from captivity the people will once
again say "The Lord bless you O righteous
dwelling" and "I will refresh the weary
and satisfy the faint."
Just as I watched over to uproot and tear
down, each man having to die for his own
sins, I'll watch over to build and plant.
(Dear reader, I "waxed lyrical" about the new
covenant previously - now hear it from the Lord
Himself!).
The time is coming says the Lord:
When I will make a new covenant with the house
of Israel, not like the covenant when I took
them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt
because they broke that covenant. This is the
covenant I will make with the house of Israel
after that time declares the Lord.
I will put my law in their minds
And write it on their hearts.
I will be their God
And they will be my people.
No longer will a man teach his neighbour,
Or a man his brother, saying
"Know the Lord."
Because they will all know me
From the least of them to the greatest.
Declares the Lord.
For I will forgive their wickedness
And will remember their sins no more.
This is what the Lord says:
Who appoints the sun to shine by day
And the moon and stars by night.
Who stirs up the sea.
The Lord Almighty is His name.
Only if these decrees vanish from my sight,
the heavens be measured, the foundations of
the earth be searched out:
Will the descendants of Israel ever cease to
be a nation before me.
Or will I reject the descendants of Israel
because of all they've done.
And Jerusalem will be rebuilt for me and the
valley where dead bodies and ashes thrown and
the terraces out to the Kidron Valley will be
holy to the Lord. The city will never again be
uprooted or demolished.
(Chapter 31)
The King of Babylon had Jerusalem under siege.
Jeremiah was imprisoned in the royal palace for
prophesying the destruction of the city and
exiling of the king.
Jeremiah said the Lord told me to buy a field
outside the city. So I did and put the deeds in
a safe place so they'd last a long time because
the Lord Almighty says: Houses, fields and
vineyards will again be bought in this land.
Then I prayed:
Sovereign Lord you made heaven and earth.
Nothing is too hard for you.
You show love to thousands, but bring
punishment for fathers' sins on their
children.
You're great, powerful, the Lord Almighty,
great are your purposes and mighty your
deeds.
Your eyes see all men's ways - you reward as
conduct and deeds deserve.
You did miracles in Egypt and still do for
Israel and all mankind. And so gained the
renown that is still yours.
You gave your people this land of milk and
honey but they did not obey or follow your
law.
So you brought all this disaster on them. The
siege ramps are built, the city will soon
fall. What you said has happened.
And yet you say to me buy this field.
(This did NOT look like a smart Jewish
investment!).
Then the Lord said to Jeremiah:
I am the Lord, God of all mankind.
Is anything too hard for me?
Yes, the city will soon be blazing, including
the houses where people provoked me by
burning incense on their roofs to the god
Baal.
My people have done nothing but evil from
their youth, provoking me with man made
gods.
This has so angered me that I must remove it
from my sight.
Though I taught them again and again the
people turn their backs on me, they would
not listen or respond to discipline.
They set up abominable idols in my house,high
places to sacrifice their children to the
god Molech.
Yet (despite all this) the Lord the God of
Israel says after banishment I will bring
them back and let them live safely.
They will be my people and I will be their
God.
I will give them singleness of heart and
action, so they will always fear me for
their own good and the good of their
children and never turn away from me.
I will have an everlasting covenant with
them.
I will never stop doing good to them and
rejoice in it.
I will assuredly plant them in this land
with all my heart and soul.
So, as I've brought calamity, I'll also give
prosperity.
And once more fields will be bought because
I will restore their fortunes declares the
Lord.
(So if you want a good investment adviser!! The
point is that God is almighty all knowing all
loving. And by comparison, the smartest man is a
dimwit. So whatever God asks you to do according
to His word, whether it makes sense to you or
not, the only smart thing to do is obey. God is
always a sure winner!).
(Chapter 32)
Still in prison the Lord spoke to Jeremiah and
said:
I will hide my face from this city because
of its wickedness.
But, (in time) I'll also bring my people
back from captivity and give them abundant
peace and security.
I'll cleanse them from all sin committed
against me and forgive all their sins of
rebellion against me.
Then this city will bring me renown as all
nations hear of all the good things I do
for it.
Sounds of joy and gladness will be heard
again.
Those who bring thank offerings to my house
will say:
"Give thanks to the Lord Almighty,
For the Lord is good,
His love endures forever."
(Now He speaks of Jesus Christ again).
Then "I will make a righteous branch sprout
from David's line; He will do what is
just and right in the land."
And God's city will be called "The Lord our
Righteousness." (Jesus Christ's name).
One of David's descendants (Jesus Christ)
will always sit on Israel's throne.And His
descendants will be as countless as the
stars or sand on the sea shore.
I will restore my people's fortune and have
compassion on them.
All these things are as certain as God's
commitment to give night and day and the
fixed laws of heaven and earth.
(Chapter 33)
While Jerusalem was besieged, God told Jeremiah
to tell the Jewish king Zedekiah, that though
the city would be burned and he be exiled to
Babylon, he would die peacefully there.
Zedekiah and the people in Jerusalem agreed to
set their Jewish slaves free. They did so then
changed their minds and took them back.
So this word came to Jeremiah from the Lord:
I brought Israel out of slavery in Egypt and
made a covenant with them that they
likewise free their slaves each 7 years.
But they didn't listen or pay attention.
But recently you repented and did what was
right in my sight. You made a covenant
with me in my house to do it.
But now you have turned around and profaned
my name and taken the slaves back.
Therefore, since you have not obeyed me, not
freed your countrymen, I'll "free" you to
fall by sword, plague and famine.
The king of Babylon has withdrawn but I'm
giving the order for him to return and burn
the city.
(Note the sequence:
Disobedience, therefore imminent disaster.
Let's avert it by obedience.
Disaster averted therefore back to preferred:
Disobedience therefore disaster.
So obedience based on fear is not obedience -
it's expediency and it won't last.
Real obedience, the basis of a truly contented,
fruitful life with God, is based on a
response of total trust in a loving God who
positively has the best possible plan for
your day/life packaged ready for you to open.
It's the joyful response of a small child
with his hand obediently and safely in his
dad's. So he can go out the front gate
without a care in the world because of trust
in his dad).
(Chapter 34)
God told Jeremiah to invite the Rechabite family
round for drinks. They came but wouldn't drink
out of obedience to their forefathers' command
not to.
Then God told Jeremiah to tell His people to
learn a lesson and obey Him.
The Rechabites keep their forefathers' command,
"But I have spoken to you again and again, yet
you have not obeyed me." And again and again I
sent my servants the prophets to say "Each of
you must turn from your wicked ways and reform
your actions" but you paid no attention nor
listened.
Therefore, the Lord God Almighty, God of Israel
says: Listen, I am going to bring on my people
every disaster because I spoke but they did not
listen, I called but they did not answer. As for
the Rechabites "They'll never fail to have a man
to serve me."
(Chapter 35)
God told Jeremiah to "write on a scroll all the
words I have spoken to you." "Perhaps when the
people hear of every disaster I plan to inflict
on them, each of them will turn from his wicked
way, then I will forgive their wickedness and
sin."
So Jeremiah dictated to Baruch who wrote on the
scroll. Being restricted, he sent Baruch to read
the scroll in the Lord's temple to the people
hoping it would achieve the Lord's aim (as
above).
But word got to the king's officials. In fear,
they told Baruch and Jeremiah to hide while they
reported to the king. It was a cold day in
December, 604 B.C. so the king was sitting with
a firepot burning before him. He had the scroll
read and after three or more columns were read,
the king cut them off with a scribe's knife and
threw them in the firepot, until the entire
scroll was burned. The king and his attendants
showed no fear, even though some urged him not
to burn the scroll. He ordered the arrest of
Jeremiah and Baruch but the Lord had hidden
them.
So the Lord told Jeremiah to take another scroll
and write all the words of the first one. And
many similar words were added to them.
He also told Jeremiah to tell the king
(Jehoiakim), "This is what the Lord says: You
burned that scroll therefore no descendant of
yours will sit on the throne and your body will
be thrown out and exposed to the heat by day and
the frost by night. I'll punish you, your
children and attendants for their wickedness and
I'll bring every promised disaster on my people
because they have not listened."
(Chapter 36)
Zedekiah was made king by the king of Babylon.
Neither his attendants nor the people paid any
attention to the words of the Lord spoken
through Jeremiah.
But he asked Jeremiah "Please pray to the Lord
our God for us."
The Egyptian army advanced so the Babylonians
withdrew their siege of Jerusalem. The word of
the Lord to Jeremiah was to tell the king the
Babylonians would return and burn the city. And
even if you then defeated them and left only a
few wounded men in their tents - they would come
and burn this city down.
Jeremiah, on his way out of the city to get his
share of the property in Benjamin territory, was
arrested as a deserter to the Babylonians.
Protesting his innocence, he was beaten and
imprisoned in a dungeon where he remained for a
long time.
Then the king brought him to the palace and
asked privately "Is there any word from the
Lord?"
"Yes" Jeremiah replied (and don't you love
this!) "You will be handed over to the king of
Babylon."
Then he asked, for what crime am I in prison.
Where are your prophets who said Babylon
wouldn't attack? Please listen, if you send me
back to that dungeon I'll die.
So the king placed him in the courtyard of the
guard and provided bread 'til none was left in
the city. (Chapter 37)
The king's officials heard Jeremiah was telling
the people that to stay in the city would be to
die by sword, famine or plague, but whoever goes
over to the Babylonians will live. Also that the
city would be captured.
So they told the king "This man should be put to
death. He is discouraging the soldiers remaining
in the city and the people.
He is not seeking the good of the people but
their ruin."
"He is in your hands" the king said "I can't
oppose you." So they lowered him by ropes down a
well in the guard's courtyard. It had no water,
only mud, into which Jeremiah sank.
But another official advised the king that the
men had acted wickedly and that he would starve
to death when there is no longer bread in the
city.
So the king said to lift him out. Old rags were
thrown down for him to put under his arms to pad
the ropes. He did and they pulled him out with
ropes.
The king called for Jeremiah and said "Answer me
and don't hide anything."
Jeremiah said "Whatever I say you'll kill me and
even if I give counsel you won't listen."
But the king swore secretly to Jeremiah that he
wouln't kill him or hand him over to those who
would.
So Jeremiah told the king that the Lord
Almighty the God of Israel says surrender and
you and your family's life will be spared and
the city won't be burned. If not the city burns
and you won't escape.
The king said he was afraid of being mistreated
by Jews who had already gone over to the
Babylonians.
"It won't happen" Jeremiah said. "Obey the Lord
and do as I say but if not all the women in the
palace will be brought out to the Babylonian
officials and say" 'Your officials and prophets
have misled and overcome you. Your feet are sunk
in the mud, your friends have deserted you.'
Also your wives and children will be brought
out, you'll be captured and the city burned.
The king said "Keep this quiet or you may die.
If officials hear we talked, tell them I was
pleading for my life."
The officials did question Jeremiah and he told
them as the king had ordered.
So Jeremiah remained in the guard's courtyard
'til Jerusalem was captured.
(Chapter 38)
On July 18th, 586 B.C., after a two and a half
year siege the city wall was broken through.
Zedekiah fled at night, was caught near Jericho
and taken to the king of Babylon. His sons were
slaughtered before his eyes as were all the
Jewish nobles. Then he put out Zedekiah"s eyes
and bound him with bronze shackles to take him
to Babylon.
Jerusalem was burned and the walls broken down.
Some of the poor Jews who owned nothing were
given land and vineyards. The rest were exiled
to Babylon.
The king of Babylon had given orders to protect
Jeremiah and "Do for him whatever he asks." So
he was taken out of the courtyard of the guard
and turned over to Gedaliah to take him to his
home. So he remained among his own people.
God's word came to Jeremiah while still confined
in the guard's courtyard about the Cushite who
got him out of the well. It was to tell him God
would rescue him on the day Jerusalem fell. God
said "I will save you, you'll escape with your
life because you trust in me, declares the
Lord."
(Chapter 39)
The Babylonian commander found Jeremiah chained
among the Jews being exiled.
He said to Jeremiah (and note this!) "The Lord
your God decreed this disaster ... because your
people sinned against the Lord and did not obey
Him."
He then freed Jeremiah and gave him the options
of coming under his continuing care to Babylon,
going wherever he pleased or returning to
Gedaliah, the Jew appointed by the Babylonians
to rule the holy land for them at Mizpah. He
chose the last option and set off with
provisions and a present from the commander.
Gedaliah told the remaining and scattered Jews
who were returning, to harvest the abundant wine
and summer fruit. An army officer named Johanan
reported a plot by one Ishmael to kill Gedaliah
and he offered to dispose of him first.
But Gedaliah wouldn't believe him.
(Chapter 40)
So Ishmael came with ten men and killed
Gedaliah, the Jews and Babylonian soldiers with
him, took the remaining people at Mizpah captive
and set off to another land.
But Johanan heard, pursued and rescued the
people but Ishmael escaped. Fearing the
Babylonians, Johanan and those with him
including Jeremiah, fled towards Egypt seeking
safety and food, pausing near Bethlehem.
(Chapter 41)
There everyone asked Jeremiah to pray that God
would tell them where to go and what to do.
"Whether favourable or unfavourable we will obey
the Lord so that all will go well with us" they
said.
Ten days later God's answer came. Stay in this
(promised) land and I will build you up because
I'm grieved over the disaster I inflicted on
you. Don't fear the Babylonians, they'll restore
you to your land.
But if you disobey and go to Egypt you'll die
there by the sword and famine. Not one will
escape and you will never see this place again.
Jeremiah warned that they made a fatal mistake
in saying they'd obey the Lord and then going
back on their word.
(Chapter 42)
But the leaders accused Jeremiah of lying so the
Babylonians could exile the lot of them. So they
all went to Egypt and disobeyed the Lord.
The Lord spoke through Jeremiah that the king of
Babylon would come and conquer Egypt, bringing
death, captivity and destruction by fire to the
temples of the gods of Egypt.
(Chapter 43)
Again the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel spoke
through Jeremiah "You saw the great disaster I
brought on Jerusalem because of disobedience,
ignoring the warnings of God's prophets and
worshipping other gods. Why suffer a repetition
of all this in Egypt? Be sure only a few
fugitives will ever return to the promised
land."
But all the Jews in Egypt said to Jeremiah "We
will not listen. We were better off burning
incense to the queen of heaven."
Jeremiah said "That's why your land became a
desolate waste - because the Lord could no
longer endure your wicked detestable actions"
and it's why you're here now.
So have your own way. It's the worst thing you
can do. But God says, be sure you'll never call
on me again for you'll perish by sword or
famine. A very few will return to the promised
land. Then you'll know whose word stands-mine or
yours. And as a sign my word will come true
you'll see me hand over Pharaoh Hopni to his
enemies. Just as you saw me do to your King
Zedekiah, whom I handed over to the king of
Babylon. (Chapter 44)
You may remember Chapter 32 where Jeremiah
dictated to Baruch. He had said "Woe is me! The
Lord has added sorrow to my pain. I am worn out
with groaning and find no rest." The Lord told
Jeremiah to tell Baruch "When I'm destroying the
land should you seek great things for yourself?
But wherever you go I'll let you escape with
your life."
(Chapter 45)
God spoke through Jeremiah concerning Egypt.
March out for defeat at the hands of the king of
Babylon on the day the Lord Almighty takes
vengeance on His foes. It happened at Carcamesh
on the Euphrates River in 605 B.C. So "pack your
belongings for exile, you who live in Egypt."
But don't fear Israel, I'll save you from exile
and be with you giving peace and security. I
will discipline you but only with justice.
(Chapter 46)
The word of the Lord through Jeremiah concerning
the Philistines. The Lord is about to destroy
you. It happened at the hands of the Babylonian
king, Nebuchadnezzar, in 604 B.C.
(Chapter 47)
The Lord Almighty God of Israel says Moab trusts
in deeds and riches, is proud, conceited,
arrogant, haughty, insolent and has defied the
Lord so she will be destroyed as a nation and
punished. Yet, "My heart laments for Moab like a
flute" and after exile and captivity "I will
restore the fortunes of Moab in days to come
declares the Lord."
(Chapter 48)
The Lord says Israel will drive out the
Ammonites, reversing what the Ammonites had
done, later restoring them.
The Lord will bring disaster and punishment on
Edom.
"I will chase Edom from its land in an instant
but, leave your orphans; I will protect their
lives. Your widows too can trust in me."
Damascus will be consumed by fire.
Kedar and Hazor will be scattered to the winds.
The Lord says He will bring disaster on them
from every side at the hands of Nebuchadnezzar,
king of Babylon.
The Lord will scatter Elam to the four winds and
exile them to every nation. I will bring
disaster on them even my fierce anger. Yet I
will restore the fortunes of Elam in days to
come.
(Chapter 49)
Babylon has sinned against and defied the Lord
so because of the Lord's anger she will be
plundered and left completely desolate with no
remnant. Like Sodom and Gomorrah it will never
again be inhabited.
Then Israel will go in tears to seek the Lord
their God. They will come and bind themselves to
the Lord in an everlasting covenant. My people
have been lost sheep; their shepherds have led
them astray. They wandered and forgot their
resting place. Their enemies devoured them and
said we're not guilty, for they sinned against
the Lord, their true pasture. But God will do to
Babylon as she did to Israel. And God will bring
Israel back to his own pasture. Search will be
made for his guilt, but there will be none, for
I will forgive the remnant I spare. Israel was
oppressed, their captors held them fast. Yet
their redeemer is strong; the Lord Almighty is
His name. He will vigorously defend their cause.
(Chapter 50)
Israel has not been forsaken by their God, the
Lord Almighty, though their land is full of
guilt before Him. The Lord has vindicated us;
come let us tell in Zion what the Lord our God
has done. He made the earth by His power,
founded the world by His wisdom and stretched
out the heavens by His understanding.
He is the maker of all things, including the
tribe of His inheritance - the Lord Almighty is
His name. The Lord Almighty, the God of Israel
says I will defend you as I reduce Babylon to
desert sand. Come out of her, my people! Run for
your lives! Run from the fierce anger of the
Lord.
Jeremiah had written on a scroll about all the
disasters coming upon Babylon. He arranged for
the scroll to be read in Babylon followed by the
words "O Lord you have said you will destroy
this place so it will be desolate forever."
Having done so, it was to be tied to a stone and
thrown into the Euphrates River and these words
spoken "So will Babylon sink to rise no more
because of the disaster I will bring upon her.
And her people will fall."
So ends the words of Jeremiah.
(Chapter 51)
For a summary of Chapter 52, verses 4-27, see
Chapter 39.
The end of Chapter 52 records the number of Jews
exiled and that King Jehoachin was treated well
by his captors. (Chapter 52)
HERE ARE SOME MAIN POINTS FROM JEREMIAH:
1. You are God's creation. He has put you here
for a purpose. As you obey Him He will
enable you to achieve that purpose.
2. Your mission is to make these facts known:
A. God is Love -
The positive Father of all creation.
The Son Jesus Christ -
The only person who "got it
right" by joyfully responding to
the Father's love by obeying Him
as an act of faith.
The Holy Spirit.
God's life force to-day who:
"Opens the roses."
With the Father and Son lives in
and through believers.
B. God's enemy, the negative Satan, is
also in the world. His goal is to
destroy you by:
Making you first doubt God's loving
provision for you.
And then disobey God (sin) by an act
of self gratification ("getting in
for your cut") like everyone else
does.
C. All history (HIS STORY) is a commentary
on this conflict, this choice of:
A trusting, joyful, obedient
relationship with a loving Father.
(The garden of Eden of Genesis
Chapter 2). In short, obedience,
life and heaven.
OR
Disobedient, self gratification
with the consequence of
banishment to the desert.
(Genesis Chapter 3). In short,
disobedience (sin) death and hell.
(The whole of Jeremiah is about
this persistent wrong choice).
D. In all history only one man got this
choice right. Obeying His Father
meant more to Him than His own life. So
one Friday, another Roman execution
took place. But that day Satan's
stranglehold on the world was broken.
His defeat was total.
In this supreme exhibition of God's
love, Jesus Christ took the punishment
all mankind deserved for its
disobedient selfishness.
And so re-opened the gate to the garden
again.
E. That the way back to a right
relationship with God the Father, to
life and heaven, is through repenting
(being sorry for and turning decisively
from disobedience and sin) and
believing in Jesus Christ as the one
who made it possible (Saviour) and Lord
(the one you want to rule your life).
And that, having done this,God requires
nothing more of you than being in
a family relationship with some other
believers meeting to give and receive
encouragement and being like an
available clean pipeline of His love
and Holy Spirit to others.
3. When you see fruitless Christians or
churches, ask "What sin made you forsake
the Lord, the spring of living water and
dig broken leaking wells? Do you think you
can achieve God's ends with Satan's means?"
Tell them to acknowledge their guilt, and
return to the Lord, or suffer His judgment.
4. When you see the churches boasting of
wisdom, strength or riches, remind them
that the only thing to "boast" of is REALLY
knowing and understanding and therefore
OBEYING the Lord.
5. Make known the inevitability of God's
judgment on unrepentant Christians and
their churches. He WILL NOT tolerate sin.
It must be completely turned from. God can
ONLY use clean vessels.
6. Remind Christians that the Lord searches
the heart and examines the mind to reward a
man according to his conduct.
7. All God's laws and commands need to be seen
as an expression of His love and therefore
joyfully obeyed, whether fully understood
or not, i.e. by faith.
8. God is not interested in religious
formalities that merely pander to people's
pride. What He wants is an exhibition of a
real relationship with Him. This shows in
practical justice, care for the oppressed,
fatherless and widows.
9. A lot of the blame for the appalling state
of the Christian church to-day can be laid
squarely at the feet of the professional
clergy. If they had any real relationship
with God they'd have been shouting from the
housetops REPENT OF YOUR SIN! OBEY GOD'S
WORD!
10. Life and light and hope will flood the land
when God's people turn 100% from sin
and turn back 100% to obeying God's word.
11. What God wants to-day is Christians with
singleness of heart and action who have a
positive fear (awe, respect, love) for Him.
People who joyfully obey God's word whether
it makes sense to them to do so or
not, because of total confidence in His
good plans for them.
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