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read out of the message. The comparisons between Judah before the
Babylonian invasion and exile and the worldly conditions we currently
find ourselves in is striking.
Hard times with the root cause of wickedness.
Denial of God- widespread.
Its amazing, but hopefully it means Jesus is coming soon.
Chapter 10
Listen to God's message, don't look at what others are doing, focus on God. They look like they have it all together, like they have all the answers, but there is no substance. They are worshiping a god that gives them pleasure but has no power.
God cannot be compared to what the other nations worship, there is no comparison. When God is angry the earth shakes, even the godless nations. God made the earth and the heavens, their gods were made by people like us, that really God created. A disobedient or unknowing people.
God sends the rains, their gods get wet, good for starting fires. Our God put the entire universe together. He gives notice of His actions to those willing to listen. He says what He will do, other gods have no voice.
When God says it is bad, it is bad, it will be complete, total, unless He says otherwise. We need to believe Him for what He says and not put our own interpretations on it. Property and children gone as a result of invasion, nobody to help rebuild. God wasn't asked for counsel, it was reasoned out by human thought. His counsel comes in the form of prayers to Him and listening to His answers, without His counsel and following His direction, nothing works right. He warns that something is happening (prayer or not?) -are we listening? Mortals can't run their own lives, we get too caught up in our ways, wants and desires. Here is a request for God to correct us as he sees fit. This is a submitted position before God. His anger is recognized as something to avoid as it is asked that he send it to the godless nation, those that don't acknowledge Him, and those that don't pray. Also those who are actively opposed to His people. Four different groups, all of which we can readily think of examples of.
Chapter 11
One of Jeremiahs sermons- direct from the mouth of God. Jeremiah is told to preach to the people of Judah that not keeping the covenant will mean a curse. The same covenant made to the people that left Egypt. Its all about obey God, obedience closes the deal. Not sacrifice, but a listening to God and being obedient to what He says.
God has warned those who were disobedient for a multitude of generations. He has always had that reminder in front of them in some form or fashion. They didn't listen, and He finally acted. Its interesting that they "mindlessly" broke the covenant. Not thinking, not studying, not paying attention to details can cause all kinds of damage to a lot of things. It is also easier to justify non-action, and ignoring. Ignoring God doesn't mean He isn't there, but rather is a measure of our hard headed-ness and stubbornness. Not only won't He not go away but ignoring Him brings about doom for everyone. Stubborn humans will still try to ignore Him , and look for ways out by praying to the things they value. The things that are valued by humans seem to be what they seek in crisis. Not God. For Judah they have reached a point that God tells Jeremiah not to intercede for them. When they do try and pray to God as a last resort, He will not hear them.
In the house of worship during the crisis promises will be made to God, programs developed and people will become more religious. Their goal is to get out of crisis and not establish relationship with God. They still want their own way, and would rather not suffer as any of us would. They hope by acknowledging God they will have their crisis alleviated, but still be in control of their lives. Rather than surrendered and obedient to God. They are far more fragile than they realize, or are willing to admit.
Doom pronounced by God comes about by our disastrous life, and a point of continually denying Him in favor of other gods.
There is a subplot here- Jeremiah was informed of it by God. A plot to kill him to prevent Jeremiah from spreading a message God told Him to. Denial of God can get to the point where we avoid things, and we try to shut people up who say things we don't like- it happened then, it happens now. Jeremiah asks God to be the judge, and God responds by sending doom to that town (Anathoth was Jeremiah's hometown). The people closest too him worldly speaking were the ones that were most upset about his message from God. This is repeated again in Jesus time, their unbelief in Him was so prevalent, that He didn't do many miracles for them. The really sad thing hear is that in trying to stop the words and message of Jeremiah they were really opposed to God. We need to widen the focus of our lives, put God and His will at the center, its so easy in our world to leave Him out.
Chapter 12
God is right (always) and He sets things right. Now Jeremiah asks the question why do bad people seemingly have it so good. They act as if they know God, and meanwhile He feels like he can't get by with anything. He asks how long does a people (we) have to put up with a depressed country with farms in ruins- root cause = wickedness, and wicked lives. Sounds like today (2009). The Lord's answer is that it will get worse. The depressed country and ruined farms is nothing compared to what is ahead, and the wicked haven't gotten away with anything.
Jeremiah didn't feel he could away with anything because his relationship with God was so close that when he felt he was doing something wrong he became acutely aware of it and it saddened him. Probably prompting from God's spirit. The wicked on the other hand, in denial of God, can sin all day and will never experience remorse. So they appear happy, they may even feel they have figured God out and pretend to be friends with Him- without really obeying.
It will get worse and the Lord warns Jeremiah that those closest to him are working against him. He will turn His back on His people Israel. Invaders will trample His land that He gave to His people. Nothing living will be safe, the crops will fail (sowing and reaping will not work as it has- because God will no longer be involved). The plans of the people will fail, all a result of their turning away.
He will relent and restore them, and give them another chance to live His way. Hopefully they will serve God with the same fervor as they served baal. If so things will go well, if not then total destruction. I don't think we have seen this- Israel serving God.
Chapter 13
This is almost a parable showing what pride can do. The people are the new shorts that God wears, then Jeremiah is told to send them out away from God- who really is the one who takes care of the shorts. Over time and being separated from God the caregiver the shorts rot. Our pride, our plans, our confidence can absolutely get the best of us, and we will lose sight often of our constant dependence on God. He cared for His people but He will no longer, and the consequences of their actions will become apparent. God protects us from a lot that we often don't realize, let alone give Him credit for.
Now he switches to a wine example. People are going to get so intoxicated with pride that they will be smashed. Their actions will bring about their destruction, and this will apply to young and old alike.
Jeremiah then pleads with them, and informs them that the message he is proclaiming is really from God. He reminds them that God is still currently protecting them even though they don't realize it, but it is about to end. The light they see by will be gone and they will grope in the dark. Jeremiah longs to go off on his own so he doesn't have to see it, and weep. He sees their fate, even though they don't.
The position of king and queen will be removed, the country will be surrounded by enemies. Ending in being conquered and exile. He points out the facts- invaders to the north. When they do realize their fate they will wonder why, almost as a surprise. They took for granted protection from God and did their own thing rather than His will, and it will end badly- when I write that I think of the US. Its on the same path. The people of Judah were guilty.
What are the odds someone so well practiced in evil will suddenly do good? This implies that godliness (doing good) should be a regular practice. What is coming to them is justice, they have turned away from God and embraced Baal (the big lie). God will remove His protection and all the world will see their shame. All the things they hoped in and put before God will fail, and for some that is a lot.
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