Monthly Archives: August 2013
no matter what
Jeremiah 37 Pharaoh’s army had (apparently) frightened the Chaldeans away, and king Zedekiah though surely now Jeremiah would prophesy good news. No deal. God’s truth is God’s truth, no matter what is happening. Jeremiah knew that Jerusalem was doomed. Call … Continue reading
burning the scroll
Jeremiah 36 By burning the scroll of Jeremiah’s prophecies concerning his downfall, Jehoiakim thought he had put an end to the threat. Just as today, popular culture seeks to discredit the validity of the words of scripture, but the word … Continue reading
Rechabites
Jeremiah 35 Jeremiah knew that one did not offer a Rechabite wine. They had vowed never to take it. But the LORD told Jeremiah to invite Rechabites into a temple chamber and offer them wine. Of course, they refused. The … Continue reading
free indeed
Jeremiah 34 It appears that there was some kind of attempt at revival among Zedekiah’s kingdom, and God had stayed the hand of Nebuchadnezzar. The people set free their Hebrew slaves, which is something they knew they should have done. … Continue reading
faith in times of despair
Jeremiah 33 In the midst of destruction and despair, the LORD calls on his people to believe in a future of restoration, peace, joy, prosperity, healing, forgiveness, cleansing, and righteousness. That takes faith: to look at loss and apparent rejection … Continue reading
an earthen jar
Jeremiah 32 If Jeremiah ever doubted that God would make good his promise to restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem, all he had to do was look at the jar containing the deeds to the land he purchased. It … Continue reading
replanted
Jeremiah 31 The restoration Jeremiah sees for Israel’s future is more than just a political entity, and return to the land. It is participation in a new covenant, which features forgiveness of sins. It is also permanent. What the LORD … Continue reading
a book for tomorrow
Jeremiah 30 Jeremiah is instructed to write his prophecies in a book, because the present generation will not understand them. Future generations will see how the LORD punished his people with unbearable pain, and then restored them. Future generations will … Continue reading
plans to prosper
Jeremiah 29 Verse 11 of this chapter is plucked out of its context and used by those who would insist that God only has plans for good for his people. Why not verse 17? The God of grace who has … Continue reading
little sister
Song of Solomon 8:8-14 The anticipated day has come, and the bride and groom enjoy each other, and find peace in each other’s arms. But she remembers the community who guarded her chastity when she was their “little sister.” One … Continue reading
Devotions 