Meditations in Jeremiah

Jeremiah 44:15-17a – “Then all the men which knew that their wives had burned incense unto other gods, and all the women that stood by, a great multitude, even all the people that dwelt in the land of Egypt, in Pathros, answered Jeremiah, saying, As for the word that thou hast spoken unto us in the name of the LORD, we will not hearken unto thee.  But we will certainly do whatsoever thing goeth forth out of our own mouth . . .”

Meditations in Jeremiah

In Jeremiah 42:1-3 we read, “Then all the captains of the forces, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and Jezaniah the son of Hoshaiah, and all the people from the least even unto the greatest, came near, and said unto Jeremiah the prophet, Let, we beseech thee, our supplication be accepted before thee, and pray for us unto the LORD thy God, even for all this remnant; (for we are left but a few of many, as thine eyes do behold us:) that the LORD thy God may shew us the way wherein we may walk, and the thing that we may do.”  Herein this remnant of Judah presented their request for prayer that the Lord their God might direct them in the way that He would have them to go.  Yea, they made request for prayer that the Lord might direct them in the way of His will in order that they might obediently walk therein.  Certainly, this was a good request to make.  Certainly, this was the right request to make. 

Yet after having revealed the Lord’s answer to their request in Jeremiah 42:7-18, the prophet Jeremiah then presented a significant rebuke against this remnant of Judah.  Even so, in Jeremiah 42:19-20 he proclaimed, “The LORD hath said concerning you, O ye remnant of Judah; Go ye not into Egypt: know certainly that I have admonished you this day.  For ye dissembled in your hearts, when ye sent me unto the LORD your God, saying, Pray for us unto the LORD our God; and according unto all that the LORD our God shall say, so declare unto us, and we will do it.”  Herein the prophet Jeremiah accused this remnant of having dissembled in their hearts as they expressed their request for prayer.  Now, to dissemble in one’s heart means to attempt to manipulate another by concealing one’s true motives under a false appearance.  Even so, this remnant of Judah dissembled in their prayer request before the Lord God.  Yea, they sought to manipulate the Lord God through prayer, appearing to desire His will concerning their way, while having already decided what way they intended to go.  Indeed, they sought to manipulate the Lord God through prayer into agreeing with that which they already desired and had already decided.

Meditations in Jeremiah

Jeremiah 33:1-3 – “Moreover the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah the second time, while he was yet shut up in the court of the prison, saying, Thus saith the LORD the maker thereof, the LORD that formed it, to establish it; the LORD is his name; Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.”

Meditations in Jeremiah

This meditation is a companion to a previous meditation:  A Provocation of Mine Anger - Jeremiah 32:26-35    

Jeremiah 32:42-44 – “For thus saith the LORD; Like as I have brought all this great evil upon this people, so will I bring upon them all the good that I have promised them.  And fields shall be bought in this land, whereof ye say, It is desolate without man or beast; it is given into the hand of the Chaldeans. Men shall buy fields for money, and subscribe evidences, and seal them, and take witnesses in the land of Benjamin, and in the places about Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, and in the cities of the mountains, and in the cities of the valley, and in the cities of the south: for I will cause their captivity to return, saith the LORD.”

Meditations in Jeremiah

Jeremiah 32:26-29 – “Then came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah, saying, Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?  Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the Chaldeans, and into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and he shall take it: and the Chaldeans, that fight against this city, shall come and set fire on this city, and burn it with the houses, upon whose roofs they have offered incense unto Baal, and poured out drink offerings unto other gods, to provoke me to anger.”

Meditations in Jeremiah

In Jeremiah 30:10-11 the Lord our God proclaimed unto His people Israel, “Therefore fear thou not, O my servant Jacob, saith the LORD; neither be dismayed, O Israel: for, lo, I will save thee from afar, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and shall be in rest, and be quiet, and none shall make him afraid.  For I am with thee, saith the LORD, to save thee: though I make a full end of all nations whither I have scattered thee, yet will I not make a full end of thee: but I will correct thee in measure, and will not leave thee altogether unpunished.”

Although the Lord our God made promise to His people that He would never completely disown them and forsake them, but that He would eventually deliver them and restore them, yet He indicated that He certainly would correct them “in measure” and would not leave them “altogether unpunished.”  Even so, in Hebrews 12:5-8 God’s Word declares unto us New Testament believers, “And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: for whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.  If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?  But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.”

Meditations in Jeremiah

Jeremiah 26:1-2 reads, “In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah came this word from the LORD, saying, Thus saith the LORD; Stand in the court of the LORD’S house, and speak unto all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the LORD’S house, all the words that I command thee to speak unto them; diminish not a word.”

In Jeremiah 26:2 the Lord our God instructed His prophet Jeremiah to stand up, speak forth, and diminish not.  Jeremiah the prophet was called of the Lord to proclaim the message of God’s own Word unto God’s own people.  Involved in the Lord’s call upon him, Jeremiah was specifically forbidden to diminish even a single word from the Lord God’s message unto His people.  In like manner, we who possess any God-given responsibility to proclaim the message of God’s Word unto others must not shun to declare unto them “all the counsel of God.” (Acts 20:27)  We must not keep back from them anything that would be spiritually profitable to them. (See Acts 20:20)  Even so, we must proclaim all the truth of God’s Holy Word; for “all scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” (2 Timothy 3:16) 

Yet what is involved in declaring all the counsel of God’s Word and in not diminishing a word thereof?  Jeremiah 26 provides a four-fold answer.

Meditations in Jeremiah

This meditation is a companion to a previous meditation:  
            Woe Be unto the Pastors that Destroy and Scatter – Jeremiah 23:1-2

In Jeremiah 23:3-4 the Lord gave promise to the children of Israel, saying, “And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase.  And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the LORD.”

In Jeremiah 23:1-2 the Lord had pronounced his judgment of woe against the ungodly pastors of His people, saying, “Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD.  Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD.”  Then in Jeremiah 23:3-4 the Lord promised His people that He would gather them from their scattering and that He would set godly pastors over them.  Even so, in Jeremiah 23:4 we are introduced to our Lord God’s description of a godly pastor.  Furthermore, within the context of Jeremiah 23:9-40, wherein our Lord expanded and explained His condemnation of the ungodly pastors, He provided two additional descriptions of a godly pastor.  So then, let us consider these three characteristics of godly pastors who are approved by the Lord our God.

Meditations in Jeremiah

Jeremiah 23:1-2 pronounces the woe of our Lord’s judgment against ungodly pastors, saying, “Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD.  Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD.”

However, in a present society that is focused upon and driven by emotionalism, many will interpret this passage within that societal context.  Many will view the condemned scattering of the sheep by these pastors as their manner in hurting the feelings of the sheep.  Many will view the condemned driving away of the sheep by these pastors as their manner of rudeness toward the sheep.  Many will view the condemned lack of visiting the sheep by these pastors as their manner in neglecting to visit the sheep in order to comfort and appease their hurt feelings and emotional burdens.

However, such a perspective of Jeremiah 23:1-2 would not be accurate within the context of Jeremiah 23 itself.  Even so, Jeremiah 23:3-8 reveals our Lord’s promise and prophesy unto Israel to provide them with godly shepherds and to raise up the Messiah who will rule for their sake over the earth as “THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.”  Then in Jeremiah 22:9-40 the chapter returns to the subject of condemnation against the ungodly pastors (for Israel – ungodly prophets and priests).  Herein we find our Lord’s definition concerning their ungodly practice of scattering, driving away, and not visiting the sheep.  Furthermore, herein we find our Lord’s fierce wrath against them for this ungodly shepherding.

Meditations in Jeremiah

Jeremiah 22:21 reads, “I spake unto thee in thy prosperity; but thou saidst, I will not hear.  This hath been thy manner from thy youth, that thou obeyedst not my voice.”

As I read this, it appeared to present an almost perfect commentary concerning the character of our United States’ society.  Yet this commentary is not simply appropriate concerning our ungodly society, but also concerning the worldly character of so many churches in the United States.  In its immediate context, Jeremiah 22:21 is included within a divine pronouncement of judgment against two kings of Judah.  Jeremiah 22:13-19 presents our Lord’s judgment against Jehoiakim king of Judah.  Then Jeremiah 22:14-30 presents our Lord’s judgment against Coniah (Jehoiachin), the son of Jehoiakim.  Since our Lord’s judgment is pronounced against both men for the same basic reason, let us consider the issue as a single context in relation to its application upon our present-day society and our present-day churches.

Meditations in Jeremiah

Jeremiah 22:13-14 reads, “Woe unto him that buildeth his house by unrighteousness, and his chambers by wrong; that useth his neighbour’s service without wages, and giveth him not for his work; that saith, I will build me a wide house and large chambers, and cutteth him out windows; and it is cieled with cedar, and painted with vermilion.”

The Biblical principle of these verses is true in any situation.  The “woe” of our Lord God’s fierce wrath and judgment is upon any individual who (1) builds up his own situation by unrighteousness, (2) uses another’s service without paying wages, and (3) builds up how own situation for self glory.  In the immediate context of Jeremiah 22, these verses had direct application to the case of Jehoiakim, the king of Judah. (See Jeremiah 22:15-19)  At that time King Jehoiakim sought to build up his own situation with the motive of covetousness and through the manner of oppression. (See Jeremiah 22:17)  Therefore, the Lord pronounced the woe of judgment upon him, wherein he would lose absolutely everything that he sought to build up for himself. (See Jeremiah 22:18-19) 

However, as I meditated upon these verses, a different application of the Biblical principle was brought to mind.  This application concerns pastor’s who seek to build up their own situation in the ministry for their own glory.  As a pastor (or any other form of leader in the ministry), are you seeking to build up your ministry situation by the carnal methods of the flesh, rather than by the divine power of the Holy Spirit?  If so, then our Lord God’s woe is pronounced against you.  As a pastor (or any other form of leader in the ministry), are you using your neighbor’s service for the Lord “without wages” by stealing sheep from another’s ministry?  If so, then our Lord God’s woe is pronounced against you.  As a pastor (or any other form of leader in the ministry), are you building up a ministry with the selfish motive of covetousness, for your own glory, rather than for the Lord’s glory?  If so, then our Lord God’s woe is pronounced against you. 

At the approach of the new year, such questions may be quite appropriate for each pastor (or other form of leader in the ministry) to consider.  My fellow laborers in the ministry, let us examine ourselves.

Posted in Meditations in Jeremiah,

Jeremiah 17:5-8 states, "Thus saith the LORD . . .

Meditations in Jeremiah

Due to Jeremiah’s proclamation of God’s fierce wrath and fiery judgment against His people for their sinfulness, Jeremiah was greatly persecuted through both verbal and physical attacks by God’s own, rebellious people.  Such persecution motivated Jeremiah to express his burden of prayer in Jeremiah 15:15 for deliverance, saying, “O LORD, thou knowest: remember me, and visit me, and revenge me of my persecutors; take me not away in thy longsuffering: know that for thy sake I have suffered rebuke.”  Furthermore, in Jeremiah 15:16 Jeremiah expressed his commitment to and delight in the truth of God’s Word, saying, “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.” 

Yet in Jeremiah 15:17-18 Jeremiah expressed his attitude of discouragement at the tribulation and doubt in the Lord, saying, “I sat not in the assembly of the mockers, nor rejoiced; I sat alone because of thy hand: for thou hast filled me with indignation.  Why is my pain perpetual, and my wound incurable, which refuseth to be healed?  Wilt thou be altogether unto me as a liar, and as waters that fail?”  Indeed, Jeremiah began to accuse the Lord of unrighteousness and unfaithfulness.  Yea, he directly accused the Lord of being “altogether” unto him “as a liar.”  Although Jeremiah had a commitment of heart toward the Lord, his growing doubt in the Lord was corrupting that commitment. So then, how did the Lord our God respond unto Jeremiah’s prayer for deliverance and accusation of doubt?

Meditations in Jeremiah

This meditation is a companion to two previous meditations:  
        We Acknowledge Our Wickedness - Jeremiah 14:7-9, 20-22
        Do It For Thy Name's Sake - Jeremiah 14:7-9, 20-22

In two previous meditations (see above), we considered the expression of humble repentance that was given in Jeremiah 14:7-9, 20-22.  Yet many of God’s people in Jeremiah’s time refused to follow the way of repentance.  To these rebellious individuals, our Lord delivered His judgment in Jeremiah 14:10-12.