Hi everyone! Its been a while since last I blogged, but I am back and ready for action. Yeah!
The reading for day 57 was Jeremiah 34:1-47:7.
In verses 8 and 9 of chapter 34, we see the people actually do something good 34:8 [This is] the word that came unto Jeremiah from the LORD, after that the king Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people which [were] at Jerusalem, to proclaim liberty unto them; 34:9 That every man should let his manservant, and every man his maidservant, [being] an Hebrew or an Hebrewess, go free; that none should serve himself of them, [to wit], of a Jew his brother.
This goes back to what is said in Isaiah chapter 58. If you let the oppressed go free, God will do good things for you. But this is a dumb bunch of people! They went back on their covenant with God to let their slaves go free and brought them back into bondage! Needless to say God was not pleased. 34:17 Therefore thus saith the LORD; Ye have not hearkened unto me, in proclaiming liberty, every one to his brother, and every man to his neighbour: behold, I proclaim a liberty for you, saith the LORD, to the sword, to the pestilence, and to the famine; and I will make you to be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth.
They were finally going to obey God's command to let those in bondage go free, but then they didn't. Does God's punishment fit the crime? You bet it does!
In chapter 35 we see the long obedience of the Recabites. They obeyed what there forefather commanded them without variation. God holds them up to the men of Israel as an example: 35:14 The words of Jonadab the son of Rechab, that he commanded his sons not to drink wine, are performed; for unto this day they drink none, but obey their father's commandment: notwithstanding I have spoken unto you, rising early and speaking; but ye hearkened not unto me.
These Recabited obeyed their earthgly father without question, so why couldn't the Israelited obey God?
God is determined to see that His name is revered. He tells His people that no matter what...they will be destroyed. 37:10 For though ye had smitten the whole army of the Chaldeans that fight against you, and there remained [but] wounded men among them, [yet] should they rise up every man in his tent, and burn this city with fire.
In chapter 42 we see the same stupidity that plagued the people in chapter 34. The people say they will do whatever God commands through Jeremiah and then don't do it!
42:5 Then they said to Jeremiah, The LORD be a true and faithful witness between us, if we do not even according to all things for the which the LORD thy God shall send thee to us.
43:1 And it came to pass, [that] when Jeremiah had made an end of speaking unto all the people all the words of the LORD their God, for which the LORD their God had sent him to them, [even] all these words, 43:2 Then spake Azariah the son of Hoshaiah, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the proud men, saying unto Jeremiah, Thou speakest falsely: the LORD our God hath not sent thee to say, Go not into Egypt to sojourn there: 43:3 But Baruch the son of Neriah setteth thee on against us, for to deliver us into the hand of the Chaldeans, that they might put us to death, and carry us away captives into Babylon. 43:4 So Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces, and all the people, obeyed not the voice of the LORD, to dwell in the land of Judah.
Because of their disobedience, God's judgment followed them inot Egypt.
43:11 And when he cometh, he shall smite the land of Egypt, [and deliver] such [as are] for death to death; and such [as are] for captivity to captivity; and such [as are] for the sword to the sword.
In chapter 46 God again gives hope to His people 46:28 Fear thou not, O Jacob my servant, saith the LORD: for I [am] with thee; for I will make a full end of all the nations whither I have driven thee: but I will not make a full end of thee, but correct thee in measure; yet will I not leave thee wholly unpunished.
God is gracious and merciful even in His terrible wrath. What an amazing thing that even when God is bringing the judgement against His people that they deserve...it is by no means as terrible as they deserve. God is merciful in sparing even one person. He is God and there is no other. |
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