Lamentation 1 - What Do We Value?

 

Lamentation 1 – What Do We Value?                                                                      

 

What causes us to cry, to shed tears of sadness? We would do well to pay attention to whenever we find our eyes filling with tears, for those emotional moments reveal much about what we value, what is important to us.

Jeremiah predicted the fall of Jerusalem. He wept at the fulfillment of his own prophecy. He witnessed the destruction of Jerusalem and he saw it burn. He sat down in the warm ashes, hot tears coursing down his cheeks.

This man Jeremiah had a woman’s heart. He was sensitive, sincere, and sympathetic. He was as tender as a mother. Yet he gave the strongest and harshest message in the Bible. He announced the destruction of Jerusalem and pronounced judgment, counseling the people to surrender to the King. His message did nothing but get him into trouble. He stood alone, weeping.

Why had the city been destroyed? Because the city sinned by rejecting God. God is righteous and He was right in what He did. When we think of the throne God established, we know He did it out of Love. The Lord does not tolerate those which sins against His throne. He will destroy it and all its instruments, in the interest of what is high and noble and pure. If you turn your back on Him, He will judge you, even though He still Loves you. He is the righteous God of this universe. When His own children disobey Him, God must discipline them, even though it breaks His heart. The Holy Spirit has come to reveal Christ as the Savior and He has come to convict the world of sin. There are sins of lying, stealing, murder, etc. but the worse sin is rejecting God. He has a remedy for all sins except for the man who rejects Him.

Being a Christian does not guarantee a pain free existence. In fact, our faith exposes us to difficulties and struggles that we may not have experienced. Suffering is not always punishment. God does allow people to face the miserable consequences of their sinful choices, but it doesn’t mean that every suffering person is being punished. Sometimes God allows people to suffer to strengthen their resolve, to shake them out of their complacency, or to help them empathize with other suffering people. God does not leave our side when we suffer. God will reward us for the suffering we endure for His sake. When we trust in God, we can change our perspective on life’s trauma’s from “why me” to “How can I grow from this?”

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J.Vernon McGee Thru the Bible. Nelson’s Quick Reference

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible.

 

Jeremiah 52 - God Does What He Says He Will Do

 

Jeremiah 52 – God Does What He Says He Will Do

 

God says, “I am ready to perform my word” and it closes with evidence that God did what He said He would do. This chapter sets the stage for the reading of Lamentations.

 

Zedekiah was a rebel, not only against the king of Babylon but also against the Lord; and he lost both battles. He led his sons and his leaders into death and himself into darkness and bondage (Judges 16:20-21). The religious leaders who had persecuted Jeremiah were slain by the enemy.

 

The temple was plundered despite the promises given by the false prophets. The walls were broken down, and the city and the temple were burned. God would rather destroy His city and His house than permit people to sin successfully. If they will not glorify Him in obedience, they must honor Him in judgment.

 

The people were deported to remain in captivity for seventy years. The words of Jeremiah were precious to them during these difficult years, just as God’s Word should be precious to His people “in exile” in this world today. Follow Jeremiah’s good example and joyfully feed on His Word.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

 

 

Jeremiah 50-51 God is Governor

 

Jeremiah 50 -51 – God is Governor

 

The prophecy was given in the fourth year of Zedekiah’s reign, and Jeremiah sent it with Baruch’s brother. Seraiah, to be read publicly in Babylon. In scripture, Babylon symbolizes man’s worldly system organized in opposition to God.

 

The Persians would come out of the north, defeat Babylon, and leave it desolate. Babylon had been God’s hammer, cup, and “battle-ax” to bring his judgment to the sinful nations; but now her sins would be judged, particularly her brutal treatment of Israel.

 

Throughout this prophecy, God gives words of hope to His people still in captivity. Both Israel and Judah will be reunited and restored to their land. The scattered flock will be gathered, and the sinful nation forgiven. They are guilty of sin, but God the Judge will plead their case. The forsaken wife will be reunited to her Husband, and the nation will be vindicated.

 

How will all of this happen? By the power of the God of Israel who is not like the dead idols of the heathen. His people must flee this evil system and separate themselves wholly to the Lord. (2 Cor. 6:14-7:1; Rev. 18:4).

 

Babylon is still a desolation, and that ruin is a reminder that God is the Governor of the nations and the Judge of all the earth. Israel is still among the nations because her God is the Maker of all things.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

 

 

Jeremiah 49 - Ammonites and Moabites

 

Jeremiah 49 – Ammonites and Moabites

 

The Ammonites and Moabites were descended from Lot (Gen. 19:30-38) and were enemies of the Jews. Molech was the god of the Ammonites, worshiped in immorality that involved the sacrificing of children. His name means “the reigning one,” but he would reign no more. He would go into captivity and not be able to rescue himself, which is what happens to false gods.

 

The Edomites were the descendants of Esau, brother of Jacob, and they also hated the Jews. They were recognized for their great wisdom (Obad. 8), but they would not be wise enough to stop the Babylonian invasion.

 

Their judgment would be like the stripping of a vineyard, getting drunk, the destroying of Sodom and Gomorrah, the attacking of a lion from the Judah thicket, and the sudden swooping down of an eagle, there was no escape!

 

Damascus would be feeble and fearful, like a woman in labor; and Kedar, Hazor, and Elam would be scattered to the wind like the chaff.  All these proud kingdoms felt secure in resisting the Lord, and He bore with them in His long suffering. But their day of opportunity ran out, and all God could do was judge them.

 

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary, The Jeremiah Study Bible.

 

Jeremiah 46-48 In Egypt. Defeat

 

Jeremiah 46 – In Egypt

 

Jeremiah is in Egypt and the people are expecting peace and plenty from the Pharoah, but the prophecy is that Egypt will go down in defeat. God does give them encouraging words that if they repent then God will not make a full end of them, however their sins will be punished. The Egyptians thought they were like the Nile, rising to flood the enemy, but they would fail. Because Egypt was to be destroyed the people began to look toward Philistia and Moab for help, but Philistia was to be conquered also and Moab ceased from being a nation.

 

Jeremiah 47-48 -Defeat

 

The Egyptians had defeated the Philistia, but the Babylonians would destroy both Philistia and Moab. The Babylonian army would be like a rising river and a sword in the hands of the Lord.

 

Moab was known for its pride, so the Lord brought those people low. They relied on a false god and trusted material wealth, so their god was captured, and their wealth was plundered. They lost all their defenses.

 

Moab was also known for its wine. But the vessels would be emptied and broken and the people would become drunk with God’s wrath, the Babylonians were God’s “wine workers” to give Moab a “new taste” they had never had before. Sometimes God must pour us “from vessel to vessel” to make us what He wants us to be.

 

The bottles were broken, the staff was broken, and their arm was broken; “How she is broken down!” Had Moab been broken before the Lord, she would not have been broken by the Lord.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

 

 

Jeremiah 44 - Location, Location

 

Jeremiah 44 – Location, Location

 

God sent His servants with the Word, but people would not listen. He chastened them with a drought, but they did not repent. Then He allowed the enemy to humiliate them, but the people still did not obey the will of God.

 

Perhaps it would be different in Egypt. No, the change in location did not change their hearts. They practiced their idolatry in Egypt, they even defended it! Before King Josiah’s reform, when they bowed down to idols. “They had plenty of food, were well-off, and saw no trouble: as if those things were tests of truth! The wicked

May prosper, but that is no excuse for sin.

 

In His mercy, God would rescue a small remnant of His people. The rest would be slain in the land they thought was so safe. Was God watching over them? Yes, but not for blessing.

 

Jeremiah 45 – Baruch

 

Baruch was a good friend of Jeremiah who wrote the words of Jeremiah on a scroll and sent it to king Jehoikim. The King in turn cut it with a knife and burned it in a fire. Baruch was also part of the remnant that was forced to go with Jeremiah to Egypt. God convinced Baruch to go along with His program and promised Baruch that He would preserve him through troubled times.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

 

 

Jeremiah 42, 43 - Back to Egypt

 

Jeremiah 42– Back to Egypt

 

Israel found themselves in trouble, so they decided to go back to Egypt. This was a decision they tried to make back in Moses’ day and now after the Babylonian conquest. God had told them to stay in the land, but they were afraid to obey.

 

They had already made up their minds to go, but they thought it would be good to ask the prophet to pray for them; “Pray for us! We will obey!” How pious those words sounded! God cannot be fooled.

 

Jeremiah prayed and waited for God’s word for that hour. Perhaps God did have another plan for the people. No, God’s plan had not been changed. God told them not to be afraid; He told them to stay in the land and trust His care. But God also told His servant that the leaders were hypocrites and not to be trusted.

 

Faith and patience go together (Heb. 6:12): “Whosoever believes will not act hastily” (Isaiah 28:16)

 

Jeremiah 43 – Jeremiah’s Prediction Comes True

 

Everything Jeremiah had predicted had come true, but they called him a false prophet! Once you have decided to disobey the Lord, you can always find excuses for rejecting God’s truth. It must have been painful for Baruch and Jeremiah to endure the slander of those arrogant men, people they had helped for many years. But Jesus was treated the same way, so Jeremiah was experiencing “the fellowship of His sufferings” (Phil.3:10).

 

God had the last word: their trip to Egypt would be a death march. The only safe place is in the will of God. The army from which the Jews fled in Judah would come to Egypt and judge them because no one can run away from their problems.

 

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.