Jeremiah 35-37

Posted on Aug 18, 2016 in Reading the Bible in 2016 |

Thursday     

Jeremiah goes through some of the most frustrating, difficult and dangerous events of his life.

How can he stand up to so much trouble? Our reading begins with an interesting tale of the Recabites. This family had continued to live a lifestyle that their forefather had instilled in them. Now Jeremiah doesn’t necessarily agree with all their practices but he does respect their obedience to the vows they had taken to their ancestors.  Jeremiah tells the people, here is a good example of what it means to be obedient and faithful and this is what God is looking for in His people.
 

In chapter 36, we learn God wants Jeremiah to write down all the words God has spoken to him in regards to Israel, Judah and the other nations. The hope was that when the people heard the word spoken all together that they would ask for forgiveness and turn from their sins and God would restore them.

Jeremiah has Baruch write while Jeremiah dictated the Words of God. And then he has him go to the temple to read these words. (For some reason Jeremiah is not permitted himself to go, it could be he has been banned from the temple or held in prison or maybe he is unclean for some reason) Anyway, Baruch goes and reads the scroll and well, you know, the king ends up hearing it and destroys it in the fire. Fortunately, Jeremiah and Baruch were able to escape but I’m thinking that King Jehoiakim was not happy with them. He, of course, would not have liked hearing what the Lord had spoken and rather than listening and repenting, the king refused to humble himself and ask for forgiveness. His arrogance and lack of fear of the Lord, will bring him down. God tells Jeremiah to record the words again and prophesied that bad things would happen to the king, as indeed they did (Jeremiah 22:19).

Jeremiah is falsely accused and is beaten and thrown into prison. After a long time had passed, Zedekiah the king asks for Jeremiah to share with him a word from the Lord in secret. Well, you know, Jeremiah has to tell him the truth, but what he shares had to be hard to tell Zedekiah. Zedekiah appears to be a weak king, and doesn’t really know what he should do.  Jeremiah also asks for compassion from the king in regards to his own situation and the king allows Jeremiah to be moved to a safer place, and provides bread for him, until the bread runs out.

Zedekiah’s problem was that he failed to stand up for God and lead his people as his forefather David did.

There is always that choice that is before us… follow God or follow the world. It seems like an easy choice, but just like Jeremiah, the cost may be high, but oh the benefits are so worth it.

Standing strong for the Lord

Pastor Kathy

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