stay of execution

Posted on November 25, 2020 by Jefferson Vann
photo of axe on wooden log

Photo by Harry Cunningham @harry.digital on Pexels.com

stay of execution

Jeremiah 26:1-24 (JDV)

Jeremiah 26:1 At the first of the reign of Jehoiakim son of Josiah, king of Judah, this word came from Yahveh:

Jeremiah 26:2 “This is what Yahveh says: Stand in the courtyard of Yahveh ‘s temple and speak all the words I have commanded you to speak to all Judah’s cities that are coming to worship there. Do not hold back a word.

Jeremiah 26:3 Perhaps they will listen and turn – each from his evil way of life – so that I might relent concerning the disaster that I plan to do to them because of the evil of their practices.

Jeremiah 26:4 You are to say to them, ‘This is what Yahveh says: If you do not listen to me by living according to my instruction that I set before you

Jeremiah 26:5 and by listening to the words of my servants the prophets – whom I have been sending to you time and time again, though you did not listen –

Jeremiah 26:6 I will make this temple like Shiloh. I will make this city an example for cursing for all the nations of the land.'”

Jeremiah 26:7 The priests, the prophets, and all the people heard Jeremiah speaking these words in the temple of Yahveh.

Jeremiah 26:8 When he finished the address Yahveh had commanded him to deliver to all the people, immediately the priests, the prophets, and all the people took hold of him, yelling, “You must certainly die!

Jeremiah 26:9 How dare you prophesy in the name of Yahveh, ‘This temple will become like Shiloh and this city will become an uninhabited ruin’!” Then all the people crowded around Jeremiah at Yahveh’s temple.

Jeremiah 26:10 When the officials of Judah heard about these things, they went from the king’s palace to Yahveh’s temple and sat at the entrance of the New Gate of Yahveh’s temple.

Jeremiah 26:11 Then the priests and prophets said to the officials and all the people, “This man deserves the death sentence because he has prophesied against this city, as you have heard with your own ears.”

Jeremiah 26:12 Then Jeremiah said to all the officials and all the people, “Yahveh sent me to prophesy all the words that you have heard against this temple and city.

Jeremiah 26:13 So now, correct your ways and deeds, and obey Yahveh your God so that he might relent concerning the disaster he had pronounced against you.

Jeremiah 26:14 As for me, here I am in your hands; do to me what you think is good and right.

Jeremiah 26:15 But know for certain that if you put me to death, you will bring innocent blood on yourselves, on this city, and on its residents, because it is certain Yahveh has sent me to speak all these things directly to you.”

Jeremiah 26:16 Then the officials and all the people told the priests and prophets, “This man doesn’t deserve the death sentence, because he has spoken to us in the name of Yahveh our God!”

Jeremiah 26:17 Some of the elders of the land stood up and said to all the collected [1] people,

Jeremiah 26:18 “Micah the Moreshite prophesied in the days of King Hezekiah of Judah and said to all the people of Judah, ‘This is what Yahveh of Armies says: Zion will be plowed like a field, Jerusalem will become ruins, and the temple’s mountain will be a high thicket.’

Jeremiah 26:19 Did King Hezekiah of Judah and all the people of Judah put him to death? Did not the king fear Yahveh and plead for Yahveh’s favor, and did not Yahveh relent concerning the disaster he had pronounced against them? We are about to bring a terrible disaster on ourselves!”

Jeremiah 26:20 Another man was also prophesying in the name of Yahveh – Uriah son of Shemaiah from Kiriath-jearim. He prophesied against this city and against this land in words like all those of Jeremiah.

Jeremiah 26:21 King Jehoiakim, all his warriors, and all the officials heard his words, and the king tried to have him executed. When Uriah heard, he fled in fear and went to Egypt.

Jeremiah 26:22 But King Jehoiakim sent men to Egypt: Elnathan son of Achbor and certain other men with him went to Egypt.

Jeremiah 26:23 They brought Uriah out of Egypt and took him to King Jehoiakim, who executed him with the sword and threw his corpse into the burial place of the common people.

Jeremiah 26:24 But Ahikam son of Shaphan supported Jeremiah, so he was not handed over to the people to be put to death.

stay of execution

The language of this discourse sounds very much like that of the trials of Jesus. Some of the leaders in Jerusalem are enraged at Jeremiah, and want him executed. Others are concerned that he might actually be saying God’s words, and killing him would bring disaster on themselves.

Fortunately, Jeremiah had enough support at that time to stay his execution. He would be exiled to Egypt, and later stoned to death there. There is a high cost to saying what God wants said to a disobedient and rebellious nation.

Lord, give us the courage of Jeremiah to say your words and represent you, even at the cost of our lives.

__________________________

[1] קָהָל = collect, collection. Jeremiah 26:17; 31:8; 44:15; 50:9.

_____________

____________________

Posted in courage, prophecy | Tagged | Leave a comment

ambassador of wrath

Posted on November 24, 2020 by Jefferson Vann
alcohol beverage celebration cocktail

Photo by Maria Pop on Pexels.com

ambassador of wrath

Jeremiah 25:15-38 (JDV)

Jeremiah 25:15 This is what Yahveh, the God of Israel, said to me: “Take this cup of the wine of wrath from my hand and make all the nations to whom I am sending you drink from it.

Jeremiah 25:16 They will drink, stagger, and go out of their minds because of the sword I am sending among them.”

Jeremiah 25:17 So I took the cup from Yahveh ‘s hand and made all the nations to whom Yahveh sent me drink from it.

Jeremiah 25:18 Jerusalem and the other cities of Judah, its kings and its officials, to make them a desolate ruin, an example for scorn and cursing – as it is today;

Jeremiah 25:19 Pharaoh king of Egypt, his officers, his leaders, all his people,

Jeremiah 25:20 and all the mixed peoples; all the kings of the land of Uz; all the kings of the land of the Philistines – Ashkelon, Gaza, Ekron, and the remainder of Ashdod;

Jeremiah 25:21 Edom, Moab, and the Ammonites;

Jeremiah 25:22 all the kings of Tyre, all the kings of Sidon, and the kings of the coasts and islands;

Jeremiah 25:23 Dedan, Tema, Buz, and all those who cut the hair on their temples;

Jeremiah 25:24 all the kings of Arabia, and all the kings of the mixed peoples who have settled in the open country;

Jeremiah 25:25 all the kings of Zimri, all the kings of Elam, and all the kings of Media;

Jeremiah 25:26 all the kings of the north, both near and far from one another; that is, all the kingdoms of the world throughout the land. Finally, the king of Sheshach will drink after them.

Jeremiah 25:27 “Then you are to say to them, ‘This is what Yahveh of Armies, the God of Israel, says: Drink, get drunk, and vomit. Fall down and never get up again, as a result of the sword I am sending among you.’

Jeremiah 25:28 If they refuse to accept the cup from your hand and drink, you are to say to them, ‘This is what Yahveh of Armies says: You must drink!

Jeremiah 25:29 You see, I am already bringing disaster on the city that bears my name, so how could you possibly go unpunished? You will not go unpunished, because I am summoning a sword against all the inhabitants of the land. This is the what Yahveh of Armies declares.’

Jeremiah 25:30 “As for you, you are to prophesy all these things to them, and say to them: Yahveh roars from on high; he makes his voice heard from his holy dwelling. He roars loudly over his grazing land; he calls out with a shout, like those who tread grapes, against all the inhabitants of the land.

Jeremiah 25:31 The disturbance reaches to the ends of the land because Yahveh brings a case against the nations. He enters into judgment with all people. As for the wicked, he hands them over to the sword – this is what Yahveh declares.

Jeremiah 25:32 “This is what Yahveh of Armies says: Listen! Disaster spreads from nation to nation. A huge storm is stirred up from the ends of the land.”

Jeremiah 25:33 Those victims of Yahveh on that day will be scattered from one end of the land to the other. They will not be mourned, gathered, or buried. They will be like manure on the soil’s surface.

Jeremiah 25:34 Yell, you shepherds, and cry out. Roll in the dust, you leaders of the flock. Because the days of your slaughter have come, you will fall and become shattered like a precious vase.

Jeremiah 25:35 Flight will be impossible for the shepherds, and escape, for the leaders of the flock.

Jeremiah 25:36 Hear the sound of the shepherds’ cry, the yell of the leaders of the flock, because Yahveh is destroying their pasture.

Jeremiah 25:37 Peaceful grazing land will become lifeless because of Yahveh’s burning anger.

Jeremiah 25:38 He has left his den like a lion, because their land has become a desolation because of the sword of the oppressor, because of his burning anger.

ambassador of wrath

Notice the phrase “all the nations” in verses 13, 15 and 17. The Lord was sending Jeremiah out as his ambassador to represent him to all the nations of the known world.

But the message of this ambassador is not peace through the reconciliation bought by the blood of Christ. The message is the opposite: war and destruction leading to desolation.

The symbol of this message is the wine cup, and each nation is forced to drink it. It is very much like the covenant cup, only this covenant is not to rescue, but to intoxicate. The nations will become mad with rage and bloodlust, and go about destroying, leaving the whole land desolate behind them.

Why is God doing this? Why is he causing world wars everywhere? The covenant of destruction is initiated because the covenant of peace was broken by the sons of Israel. God had intended the sons of Israel to bring peace to every land by bringing the nations to God. They refused to stay under that covenant. Therefore, God is demonstrating the global results of their rebellion.

Brothers and sisters, God has given us a new covenant of grace through the blood of Christ. We cannot ignore this gift. We will either bring peace to all the nations by bringing them to Christ, or we will be ambassadors of God’s wrath which will lead to their destruction in hell.

Lord, use us as ambassadors of your love and grace – to all the nations.

watch the video - 3

________________

books-by-jefferson-vann-ad-1

Posted in destruction in hell, gospel, missions, new covenant, wrath of God | Tagged | Leave a comment

the real eternity

Posted on November 23, 2020 by Jefferson Vann

person holding hour glass

Photo by samer daboul on Pexels.com

the real eternity

Jeremiah 25:1-14 (JDV)

Jeremiah 25:1 The word that came to Jeremiah about all the people of Judah in the fourth year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah, king of Judah (which was the first year of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon).

Jeremiah 25:2 Jeremiah the prophet spoke about all the people of Judah and all the residents of Jerusalem, and this is what he said:

Jeremiah 25:3 “From the thirteenth year of Josiah son of Amon, king of Judah, until this day – twenty-three years – the word of Yahveh has come to me, and I have spoken to you repeatedly, but you have not listened.

Jeremiah 25:4 Yahveh sent all his servants the prophets to you repeatedly, but you have not turned or even listened.

Jeremiah 25:5 He announced, ‘Turn, each of you, from your evil way of life and from your evil deeds. Live in the land Yahveh gave to you and your fathers long ago and permanently.

Jeremiah 25:6 Do not follow other gods to serve them and to bow in worship to them, and do not anger me by the work of your hands. Then I will do you no harm.

Jeremiah 25:7 ” ‘But you have not listened to me’ – this is what Yahveh declares – ‘with the result that you have angered me by the work of your hands and brought disaster on yourselves.’

Jeremiah 25:8 “Therefore, this is what Yahveh of Armies says: ‘Because you have not obeyed my words,

Jeremiah 25:9 I am going to send for all the families of the north’ – this is what Yahveh declares – ‘and send for my servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and I will bring them against this land, against its residents, and against all these surrounding nations, and I will completely destroy them and make them an example of horror and scorn, and permanent ruins.

Jeremiah 25:10 I will eliminate the sound of joy and gladness from them – the voice of the groom and the bride, the sound of the millstones and the light of the lamp.

Jeremiah 25:11 This whole land will become a desolate ruin, and these nations will serve the king of Babylon for seventy years.

Jeremiah 25:12 When the seventy years are completed, I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation’ – this is what Yahveh declares – ‘the land of the Chaldeans, for their violation, and I will make it a permanent ruin.

Jeremiah 25:13 I will bring on that land all my words I have spoken against it, all that is written in this book that Jeremiah prophesied against all the nations.

Jeremiah 25:14 You see, many nations and great kings will enslave them, and I will repay them according to their deeds and the work of their hands.'”

the real eternity

The seventy years of exile and desolation may have seemed like an eternity, but it was not. God sent his people into exile, and he would bring them back.

The Babylonians, however, were another story. God used king Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon as his servant, to accomplish his will. Afterward, he made the land of the Chaldeans a permanent ruin.

Being God’s child in this generation will probably be a difficult thing to endure, and the trouble you face may make this time seem like an eternity. But it too is only a temporary thing. God plans to restore us to his kingdom as it was intended to be. The real eternity is coming.

Lord, help us to be faithful to you during these difficult times.

____________________

watch the video - 3

_____________________

books-by-jefferson-vann-ad-1

Posted in discernment, eternal life, restoration, time, Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

fig lesson

Posted on November 22, 2020 by Jefferson Vann
assorted fruits in bowl

Photo by Ella Olsson on Pexels.com

fig lesson

Jeremiah 24:1-10 (JDV)

Jeremiah 24:1 Yahveh showed me two baskets of figs placed in front of the temple of Yahveh after Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had deported Jeconiah son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, the officials of Judah, and the craftsmen and metal-smiths from Jerusalem and had brought them to Babylon.

Jeremiah 24:2 One basket contained very good figs, like early figs, but the other basket contained very bad figs, so bad they were inedible.

Jeremiah 24:3 Yahveh said to me, “What do you see, Jeremiah?” I said, “Figs! The good figs are very good, but the bad figs are extremely bad, so bad they are inedible.”

Jeremiah 24:4 The word of Yahveh came to me:

Jeremiah 24:5 “This is what Yahveh, the God of Israel, says: Like these good figs, so I regard as good the exiles from Judah I sent away from this place to the land of the Chaldeans.

Jeremiah 24:6 I will keep my eyes on them for their good and will return them to this land. I will build them up and not demolish them; I will plant them and not uproot them.

Jeremiah 24:7 I will give them a heart to know me, that I am Yahveh. They will be my people, and I will be their God because they will return to me with all their heart.

Jeremiah 24:8 “But as for the bad figs, so bad they are inedible, this is what Yahveh says: In this way I will deal with King Zedekiah of Judah, his officials, and the remainder of Jerusalem – those remaining in this land or living in the land of Egypt.

Jeremiah 24:9 I will make them an object of horror and a disaster to all the kingdoms of the land, an example for disgrace, scorn, ridicule, and cursing, wherever I have banished them.

Jeremiah 24:10 I will send the sword, famine, and plague against them until they have perished from the land I gave to them and their fathers.”

fig lesson

Jeremiah saw two baskets of figs that were as different as night and day. One basket had figs that were superb, the other had figs that were so bad they were indedible.

The people of Judah in Jeremiah’s time are symbols – not just of God’s people – but of all people. The ones who repent and turn back to God are the good figs, and will return to the God and he will bring them back to the promised land. The bad figs represent Zedekiah and those like him who experience hardship but do not change, but seek refuge in Egypt. They do not choose to turn to God in difficult times. They will be utterly destroyed. What kind of fig are you?

LORD, forgive us for trusting in ourselves. Teach us to turn back to you.

____________

 

 

 

_____________

Posted in repentance | Tagged | 1 Comment

from pun to punishment

Posted on November 21, 2020 by Jefferson Vann

man person red white

Photo by Gratisography on Pexels.com

from pun to punishment

Jeremiah 23:33-40 (JDV)

Jeremiah 23:33 “Now when these people or a prophet or a priest asks you, ‘What is the burden of Yahveh? ‘ you will respond to them, ‘What is the burden? I will throw you away! this is what Yahveh declares.’

Jeremiah 23:34 As for the prophet, priest, or people who say, ‘The burden of Yahveh,’ I will punish that man and his household.

Jeremiah 23:35 This is what each man is to say to his friend and to his brother: ‘What has Yahveh answered? ‘ or ‘What has Yahveh spoken?’

Jeremiah 23:36 But no longer refer to the burden of Yahveh, because each man’s word becomes his burden and you pervert the words of the living God, Yahveh of Armies, our God.

Jeremiah 23:37 Say to the prophet, ‘What has Yahveh answered you? ‘ or ‘What has Yahveh spoken?’

Jeremiah 23:38 But if you say, ‘The burden of Yahveh,’ then this is what Yahveh says: Because you have said, ‘The burden of Yahveh,’ and I specifically told you not to say, ‘The burden of Yahveh,’

Jeremiah 23:39 I will surely forget you. I will throw you away from my presence – both you and the city that I gave you and your fathers.

Jeremiah 23:40 I will bring on you permanent disgrace and humiliation that will never be forgotten.”

from pun to punishment

I have a couple of friends who are always posting puns on social media. Most of the puns are eye-rollingly stupid, but that is what makes them funny. Yet, to their credit, they both always manage to find new material to post, because there is nothing more tedious than an overused pun.

In Jeremiah’s day, the people started using a pun for a subject that they should not have touched: God’s oracle, coming from the prophet. The Hebrew word massa’(מַשָּׂא) can mean oracle: something pronounced, or it can mean burden: something carried. When people asked Jeremiah what the current massa’ was, they always did it with a wink, because they intended the pun.

Both Jeremiah and God were fed up with hearing that bad pun. God told the people to stop it. He was going to visit hardship and punishment on them for their careless attitude about him and their abuse of his prophet.

Lord, teach us reverence and humility when it comes to the things you hold sacred.

watch the video - 3

_____________________

books-by-jefferson-vann-ad-1

Posted in discipleship, holiness, humility, prophecy, reverence | Tagged | Leave a comment

against the prophets

Posted on November 20, 2020 by Jefferson Vann

photo of brown frog on green moss

Photo by Erik Karits on Pexels.com

against the prophets

Jeremiah 23:9-32 (JDV)

Jeremiah 23:9 About the prophets: My heart is broken within me, and all my bones shake. I have become like a drunk, like a man overcome by wine, because of Yahveh, because of his holy words.

Jeremiah 23:10 You see, the land is full of adulterers; the land mourns because of the affliction of a curse, and the pasture lands in the open country have dried up. Their way of life has become evil, and their power is not rightly used

Jeremiah 23:11 because both prophet and priest are ungodly, even in my house I have found their evil. this is what Yahveh declares.

Jeremiah 23:12 Therefore, their way will seem like slippery paths in the gloom. They will be driven away and fall down there, because I will bring disaster on them, the year of their punishment. This is what Yahveh declares.

Jeremiah 23:13 Among the prophets of Samaria I saw something disgusting: They prophesied by Baal and led my people Israel astray.

Jeremiah 23:14 Among the prophets of Jerusalem also I saw a horrible thing: They commit adultery and walk in lies. They strengthen the hands of evildoers, and none turns his back on evil. They are all like Sodom to me; Jerusalem’s residents are like Gomorrah.

Jeremiah 23:15 Therefore, this is what Yahveh of Armies says concerning the prophets: I am about to feed them wormwood and give them poisoned water to drink, because from the prophets of Jerusalem ungodliness has spread throughout the land.

Jeremiah 23:16 This is what Yahveh of Armies says: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They are deluding you. They speak visions from their own minds, not from Yahveh’s mouth.

Jeremiah 23:17 They keep on saying to those who despise me, ‘Yahveh has spoken: You will have peace.’ They have said to everyone who follows the stubbornness of his heart, ‘No harm will come to you.'”

Jeremiah 23:18 You see, who has stood in the council of Yahveh to see and hear his word? Who has paid attention to his word and obeyed?

Jeremiah 23:19 Look, a tornado from Yahveh! Wrath has gone out, a whirling storm. It will whirl about the heads of the wicked.

Jeremiah 23:20 Yahveh’s anger will not turn away until he has completely fulfilled the purposes of his heart. In a time to come you will understand it clearly.

Jeremiah 23:21 I did not send out these prophets, yet they ran. I did not speak to them, yet they prophesied.

Jeremiah 23:22 If they had really stood in my council, they would have enabled my people to hear my words and would have turned them from their evil ways and their evil deeds.

Jeremiah 23:23 “Am I a God who is only near” – this is what Yahveh declares – “and not a God who is far away?

Jeremiah 23:24 Can a person hide in secret places where I cannot see him?” – what Yahveh declares. “Do I not fill the sky and the land?” – what Yahveh declares.

Jeremiah 23:25 “I have heard what the prophets who prophesy a lie in my name have said: ‘I had a dream! I had a dream! ‘

Jeremiah 23:26 How long will this continue in the minds of the prophets prophesying lies, prophets of the deceit of their own minds?

Jeremiah 23:27 Through their dreams that they tell one another, they plan to cause my people to forget my name as their fathers forgot my name through Baal worship.

Jeremiah 23:28 The prophet who has only a dream should recount the dream, but the one who has my word should speak my word truthfully, because what is straw compared to grain?” – this is what Yahveh declares.

Jeremiah 23:29 “Is not my word like fire” – this is what Yahveh declares – “and like a hammer that pulverizes rock?

Jeremiah 23:30 Therefore, take note! I am against the prophets” – what Yahveh declares – “who steal my words from each other.

Jeremiah 23:31 I am against the prophets” – what Yahveh declares – “who use their own tongues to make a declaration.

Jeremiah 23:32 I am against those who prophesy false dreams” – what Yahveh declares – “telling them and leading my people astray with their reckless lies. It was not I who sent or commanded them, and they are of no benefit at all to these people” – this is what Yahveh declares.

against the prophets

Jeremiah was not a bullfrog, he was a prophet. Yet the Lord spoke through him to condemn the prophets of his time because they only said what people wanted them to say, and it was hopelessly wrong.

There is a strong pull in today’s churches for us to stay positive, and I can understand that. Nobody likes to be preached at. But we need to be careful that our positive and encouraging message is balanced with the unwanted truth: God is still against the prophets who ignore his message.

Lord, give us the courage to speak your truth to a generation who will not tolerate it.

_____________________

watch the video - 3

________________

books-by-jefferson-vann-ad-1

Posted in balance, integrity, prophecy | Tagged | Leave a comment

the ultimate shepherd

Posted on November 19, 2020 by Jefferson Vann

battle black blur board game

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

the ultimate shepherd

Jeremiah 23:1-8 (JDV)

Jeremiah 23:1 “Tragedy to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!” this is what Yahveh declares.

Jeremiah 23:2 “Therefore, this is what Yahveh, the God of Israel, says about the shepherds who tend my people: You have scattered my flock, banished them, and have not attended to them. I am about to attend to you because of our evil acts” – this is what Yahveh declares.

Jeremiah 23:3 “I will gather the remainder of my flock from all the lands where I have banished them, and I will return them to their grazing land. They will become fruitful and numerous.

Jeremiah 23:4 I will raise up shepherds over them who will tend them. They will no longer be afraid or discouraged, nor will any be missing.” this is what Yahveh declares.

Jeremiah 23:5 “Look, the days are coming” – this is what Yahveh declares – “when I will raise up a Righteous Branch for David. He will reign wisely as king and administer justice and righteousness in the land.

Jeremiah 23:6 In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. This is the name he will be called: Yahveh Is Our Righteousness.

Jeremiah 23:7 “Look, the days are coming” – what Yahveh declares – “when it will no longer be said, ‘As Yahveh lives who brought the Israelites from the land of Egypt,’

Jeremiah 23:8 but, ‘As Yahveh lives, who brought and led the descendants of the house of Israel from the land of the north and from all the other countries where I had banished them.’ They will dwell once more in their own land.”

the ultimate shepherd

We often refer to this passage in the context of pastoral responsibility. we are encouraged to be good shepherds who bring the flock together, rather than scatter and abuse it for our own purposes. It does have a distant connection to that idea, but it is important to understand that the shepherds Jeremiah were referring to were kings. That is why his prophecy of the Righteous Branch for David is found here. Jesus will be the shepherd who unites and nourishes God’s flock.

Lord, thank you for the Righteous Branch for David – your good shepherd.

books-by-jefferson-vann-ad-1

______________________

watch the video - 3

Posted in Jesus Christ, kingdom of God | Tagged | Leave a comment

thunder jug man

Posted on November 18, 2020 by Jefferson Vann

thunder jug man

Jeremiah 22:24-30 (JDV)

Jeremiah 22:24 “As I live” – this is what Yahveh declares – “even if you, Coniah son of Jehoiakim, the king of Judah, were a signet ring on my right hand, I would tear you from it.

Jeremiah 22:25 In fact, I will give you to the hand of those who seek to take your throat, whose faces you fear – and into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and the Chaldeans.

Jeremiah 22:26 I will hurl you and the mother who gave birth to you into another land, where neither of you were born, and there you will both die.

Jeremiah 22:27 They will never return to the land they long to return to.”

Jeremiah 22:28 Is this man Coniah a despised, shattered pot, a jar no one wants? Why are he and his descendants hurled out and cast into a land they have not known?

Jeremiah 22:29 Land, land, land, hear the word of Yahveh!

Jeremiah 22:30 This is what Yahveh says: Record this man as childless, a man who will not be successful in his days. None of his offspring will succeed in sitting on the throne of David or ruling again in Judah.

thunder jug man

Decades ago, when visiting a rustic campground, I saw and used my first thunder jug. They are also called chamber pots. They come in handy when the cabin you are staying in has no indoor plumbing. You can do your business in the middle of the night – into the thunder jug, and empty it out into a toilet in the morning.

In Jeremiah’s day, they used clay jars that were somehow damaged for this purpose. Some commentators suggest that Jeremiah is referring to this when he calls Coniah “a jar no one wants.” When he is sent into exile, he will go from an authoritative signet ring to an embarrassing thunder jug in one fell swoop.

This is a lesson for those who think they are something. What you are depends on how useful you are to your creator. Don’t presume you are something special.

Lord, our only ambition is to be your humble disciples.

_______________________________

Posted in ambition, discipleship, responsibility, servanthood | Tagged | 1 Comment

donkey drag

Posted on November 17, 2020 by Jefferson Vann

agriculture animal countryside domestic

Photo by Leroy Huckett on Pexels.com

donkey drag

Jeremiah 22:13-23 (JDV)

Jeremiah 22:13 Tragedy [1] for the one who builds his palace through unrighteousness, his upstairs rooms through injustice, who makes his neighbor serve without pay and will not give him his wages,

Jeremiah 22:14 who says, “I will build myself a massive palace, with spacious upstairs rooms.” He will cut windows in it, and it will be paneled with cedar and painted bright red.

Jeremiah 22:15 Are you a king because you have so much cedar? Didn’t your father eat and drink while administering justice and righteousness? Then it went well with him.

Jeremiah 22:16 He took up the case of the poor and needy; then it went well. Is this not what it means to know me? This is what Yahveh declares.

Jeremiah 22:17 But you have eyes and a heart for nothing except your own dishonest profit, shedding innocent blood and pouring out oppression and extortion.

Jeremiah 22:18 Therefore, this is what Yahveh says concerning Jehoiakim son of Josiah, king of Judah: They will not mourn for him, saying, “Tragedy, my brother!” or “Tragedy, my sister!” They will not mourn for him, saying, “Tragedy, lord! Tragedy, his majesty!”

Jeremiah 22:19 He will be buried like a donkey, dragged off and thrown outside Jerusalem’s gates.

Jeremiah 22:20 Go up to Lebanon and cry out; raise your voice in Bashan; cry out from Abarim, because all your lovers have been crushed.

Jeremiah 22:21 I spoke to you when you were secure. You said, “I will not listen.” This has been your way since you were young; in fact, you have never listened to me.

Jeremiah 22:22 The wind will take charge of all your shepherds, and your lovers will go into captivity. Then you will be ashamed and humiliated because of all your evil.

Jeremiah 22:23 You residents of Lebanon, nestled among the cedars, how you will groan when pains come on you, agony like a woman in labor.

donkey drag

Since Jehoiakim “reigned” by indulging his covetousness and greed, the Lord would make an example of him. His fate would be even worse than his brother’s. He would “be buried like a donkey, dragged off and thrown outside Jerusalem’s gates.”

Rumor has it that Jehoiakim was assassinated by his own household during the siege, and his body was thrown over the wall of the city. That would explain this prophecy about his non-burial.

Lord, may we lead with dignity and selflessness.

______________________________
[1] הוֹי = tragedy. Jeremiah 22:13, 18; 23:1; 30:7; 34:5; 47:6; 48:1; 50:27.

Posted in greed, leadership, responsibility | Tagged | Leave a comment

the real loser

Posted on November 16, 2020 by Jefferson Vann

closeup photography of loser scrabble letter

Photo by Shamia Casiano on Pexels.com

the real loser

Jeremiah 22:10-12 (JDV)

Jeremiah 22:10 Do not weep for the dead; do not mourn for him. Weep bitterly for the one who has walked away, because he will never return again and see his native land.

Jeremiah 22:11 You see, this is what Yahveh says concerning Shallum son of Josiah, king of Judah, who became king in place of his father Josiah, and who has left this place: “He will never return here again,

Jeremiah 22:12 but he will die in the place where they exiled him, never seeing this land again.”

the real loser

King Josiah died a hero, in battle at Megiddo. His son Jehoahaz became king in his place, but was captured and sent away by Pharaoh. It was he who would never see his land or his throne again.

There is a message of encouragement and hope here, especially for those who lose in this life. Both of these men could be counted as losers, but only one was really a loser. Josiah died defending his nation, but Shallum (another name for Jehoahaz) lost his chance.

If you and I are zealous enough about obeying our Lord that we wind up dying as martyrs for his message, no one needs to weep for us, either. We will wake as heroes. But if we fail to live up to the covenant which we have committed to, we would be the real losers.

Lord, make us valiant warriors for you kingdom to come.

Posted in commitment, faithfulness, new covenant | Tagged | Leave a comment