write on a scroll

Posted on November 30, 2020 by Jefferson Vann
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write on a scroll

Jeremiah 30:1-24 (JDV)

Jeremiah 30:1 This is the word said that came to Jeremiah from Yahveh.
Jeremiah 30:2 “This is what Yahveh, the God of Israel, says: Write on a scroll for yourself all the words that I have spoken to you,
Jeremiah 30:3 because notice, the days are coming” – this is what Yahveh declares – “when I will restore the fortunes of my people Israel and Judah,” says Yahveh. “I will restore them to the land I gave to their fathers and they will possess it.”
Jeremiah 30:4 These are the words Yahveh spoke to Israel and Judah.
Jeremiah 30:5 This is what Yahveh says: We have heard a cry of terror, of dread – there is no peace.
Jeremiah 30:6 Ask and see whether a male can give birth. Why then do I see every man with his hands on his stomach like a woman in labor and every face turned pale?
Jeremiah 30:7 How greatly tragic that day will be! There will be no other like it! It will be a time of trouble for Jacob, but he will be rescued out of it.
Jeremiah 30:8 On that day – this is what Yahveh of Armies declares – I will break his yoke from your neck and tear off your chains, and strangers will never again enslave him.
Jeremiah 30:9 They will serve Yahveh their God and David their king, whom I will raise up for them.
Jeremiah 30:10 As for you, my servant Jacob, do not be afraid – this is what Yahveh declares – and do not be discouraged, Israel, because without fail I will save you out of a distant place, your descendants, from the land of their captivity! Jacob will return and have calm and quiet with no one to frighten him.
Jeremiah 30:11 You see, I will be with you – this is what Yahveh declares – to save you! I will bring destruction on all the nations where I have scattered you; however, I will not bring destruction on you. I will discipline you justly, and I will by no means leave you unpunished.
Jeremiah 30:12 You see, this is what Yahveh says: Your injury is incurable; your wound most severe.
Jeremiah 30:13 You have no defender for your case. There is no remedy for your sores, and no healing for you.
Jeremiah 30:14 All your lovers have forgotten you; they no longer look for you, because I have struck you as an enemy would, with the discipline of someone cruel, because of your enormous violation and your innumerable failures.
Jeremiah 30:15 Why do you cry out about your injury? Your pain has no cure! I have done these things to you because of your enormous violation and your innumerable failures.
Jeremiah 30:16 Nevertheless, all who devoured you will be devoured, and all your oppressors – all of them – will go off into exile. Those who plunder you will be plundered, and all who raid you will be raided.
Jeremiah 30:17 But I will bring you health and will heal you of your wounds – this is what Yahveh declares – because they call you Banished, Zion whom no one cares about.
Jeremiah 30:18 This is what Yahveh says: I will certainly restore the fortunes of Jacob’s tents and show compassion on his dwellings. Every city will be rebuilt on its mound; every palace will stand on its proper site.
Jeremiah 30:19 Thanksgiving will come out of them, a sound of rejoicing. I will multiply them, and they will not decrease; I will honor them, and they will not be insignificant.
Jeremiah 30:20 His children will be as in past days; his congregation will be established in my presence. I will punish all his oppressors.
Jeremiah 30:21 Jacob’s leader will be one of them; his ruler will issue from him. I will invite him to me, and he will approach me, because who would otherwise risk his life to approach me? this is what Yahveh declares.
Jeremiah 30:22 You will be my people, and I will be your God.
Jeremiah 30:23 Look, a storm from Yahveh! Wrath has gone out, a churning storm. It will whirl around the heads of the wicked.
Jeremiah 30:24 Yahveh ‘s burning anger will not turn back until he has completely fulfilled the purposes of his heart. In time to come you will understand it.

write on a scroll

Most of the words we have heard from Jeremiah so far have been condemnation, and he continues to proclaim that Jacob will go through a time of trouble for his sins. But now the Lord commands Jeremiah to write something on a scroll. This is something for future generations to read. This is something that is designed to outlast the present suffering. And that something is a promise of rescue. There will come a day when all the nations which God is using to punish Israel will be punished themselves. But the Israelites will experience healing and restoration to the land.

God’s word does contain promises which we can rely on. These promises apply to everyone in Christ. They speak of an eternal life beginning with a resurrection — and never coming to an end.

Lord, thank you for your word of promise, which outlasts times of pain and sorrow.

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delegating dirty work

Posted on November 29, 2020 by Jefferson Vann
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delegating dirty work

Jeremiah 29:24-32 (JDV)

Jeremiah 29:24 Speak to Shemaiah the Nehelamite, and this is what you are to say,

Jeremiah 29:25 “This is what Yahveh of Armies, the God of Israel, says: You have sent out letters in your own name to all the people of Jerusalem, to the priest Zephaniah son of Maaseiah, and to all the priests, saying,

Jeremiah 29:26 ‘Yahveh has appointed you priest in place of the priest Jehoiada to be the chief officer in the temple of Yahveh, responsible for every crazy who acts like a prophet. You must confine him in the stocks and an iron collar.

Jeremiah 29:27 So now, why have you not rebuked Jeremiah of Anathoth who has been acting like a prophet among you?

Jeremiah 29:28 You see, he has sent word to us in Babylon, claiming, “The exile will be long. Build houses and settle down. Plant gardens and eat their produce.” ‘”

Jeremiah 29:29 The priest Zephaniah read this letter in the hearing of the prophet Jeremiah.

Jeremiah 29:30 Then the word of Yahveh came to Jeremiah:

Jeremiah 29:31 “Send a message to all the exiles, saying, ‘This is what Yahveh says concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite. Because Shemaiah prophesied to you, though I did not send him, and made you trust a lie,

Jeremiah 29:32 this is what Yahveh says: I am about to punish Shemaiah the Nehelamite and his descendants. There will not be even one of his descendants living among these people, nor will any ever see the good that I will bring to my people – this is what Yahveh declares – because he has spoken rebellion against Yahveh.'”

delegating dirty work

Shemaiah hated Jeremiah, and wanted him stopped, but he didn’t want to do the dirty work himself. He wrote a letter to the priests asking them to take care of Jeremiah because he was a crazy.

One of the priests – Zephaniah – read the letter to Jeremiah. The result was that God punished Shemaiah with death, and no descendants. It is a serious thing to try to stifle God’s voice, and you cannot hide from your responsibility by getting someone else to do your dirty work.

Lord, we want to support your voice in this generation.

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a promise in context

Posted on November 28, 2020 by Jefferson Vann
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a promise in context

Jeremiah 29:1-23 (JDV)

Jeremiah 29:1 These are the words of the letter that the prophet Jeremiah sent from Jerusalem to the remaining exiled elders, the priests, the prophets, and all the people Nebuchadnezzar had deported from Jerusalem to Babylon.

Jeremiah 29:2 This was after King Jeconiah, the queen mother, the court officials, the officials of Judah and Jerusalem, the craftsmen, and the metal-smiths had gone out of Jerusalem.

Jeremiah 29:3 He sent the letter with Elasah son of Shaphan and Gemariah son of Hilkiah, whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent to Babylon to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. The letter said:

Jeremiah 29:4 This is what Yahveh of Armies, the God of Israel, says to all the exiles I deported from Jerusalem to Babylon:

Jeremiah 29:5 “Build houses and live in them. Plant gardens and eat their produce.

Jeremiah 29:6 Find wives for yourselves, and have sons and daughters. Find wives for your sons and give your daughters to men in marriage so that they may bear sons and daughters. Multiply there; do not decrease.

Jeremiah 29:7 Pursue the well-being of the city I have deported you to. Pray to Yahveh on its behalf, because when it is well, you will will be well.”

Jeremiah 29:8 You see, this is what Yahveh of Armies, the God of Israel, says: “Don’t let your prophets who are among you and your diviners deceive you, and don’t listen to the dreams you elicit from them,

Jeremiah 29:9 because they are prophesying falsely to you in my name. I have not sent them.” this is what Yahveh declares.

Jeremiah 29:10 You see, this is what Yahveh says: “When seventy years for Babylon are complete, I will attend to you and will confirm my promise concerning you to restore you to this place.

Jeremiah 29:11 You see, I know the plans I have for you” – this is what Yahveh declares – “plans for your well-being, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

Jeremiah 29:12 You will call to me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.

Jeremiah 29:13 You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart.

Jeremiah 29:14 I will be found by you” – this is what Yahveh declares – “and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and places where I banished you” – this is what Yahveh declares. “I will restore you to the place from which I deported you.”

Jeremiah 29:15 You have said, “Yahveh has raised up prophets for us in Babylon!”

Jeremiah 29:16 But this is what Yahveh says concerning the king sitting on David’s throne and concerning all the people living in this city – that is, concerning your brothers who did not go with you into exile.

Jeremiah 29:17 This is what Yahveh of Armies says: “I am about to send sword, famine, and plague against them, and I will make them like rotten figs that are inedible because they are so bad.

Jeremiah 29:18 I will pursue them with sword, famine, and plague. I will make them a horror to all the kingdoms of the land – a curse and a desolation, an object of scorn and a disgrace among all the nations where I have banished them.

Jeremiah 29:19 I will do this because they have not listened to my words” – this is what Yahveh declares – “the words that I sent to them with my servants the prophets time and time again. And you also have not listened.” this is what Yahveh declares.

Jeremiah 29:20 Hear the word of Yahveh, all you exiles I have sent from Jerusalem to Babylon.

Jeremiah 29:21 This is what Yahveh of Armies, the God of Israel, says about Ahab son of Kolaiah and concerning Zedekiah son of Maaseiah, the ones prophesying a lie to you in my name: “I am about to hand them over to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, and he will kill them before your very eyes.

Jeremiah 29:22 Based on what happens to them, all the exiles of Judah who are in Babylon will create a curse that says, ‘May Yahveh make you like Zedekiah and Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire! ‘

Jeremiah 29:23 because they have committed an outrage in Israel by committing adultery with their neighbors’ wives and have spoken a lie in my name, which I did not command them. I am he who knows, and I am a witness.” this is what Yahveh declares.

a promise in context

Looking at the whole context of 29:11 helps us to avoid this foolish positivism that has gripped so much of popular Christianity. God’s plan for hope and a future for Judah required a seventy year wait before those promises began to be fulfilled. What is more – his plans included exile and death, sword, famine, and plague for some. The guilty seek to hide behind God’s promises, but his justice will expose them.

So, is it wrong to quote the promise? It is wrong to insist that you know more than you do about your future. If you are honestly seeking to follow God, you should be willing to wait until he blesses you, instead of insisting on claiming the promise for right now. It is better to admit you are walking in the valley of death’s shadow, as long as you also praise God for the comfort you have from his presence beside you.

Lord, we are yours. Do with us what you have planned. We trust you for a future, and we will leave the timing up to you.

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updating the promise

Posted on November 27, 2020 by Jefferson Vann

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updating the promise

Jeremiah 28:1-17 (JDV)

Jeremiah 28:1 It happened in that year, at the first of the reign of King Zedekiah of Judah, in the fifth month of the fourth year, the prophet Hananiah son of Azzur from Gibeon said to me in the temple of Yahveh in the presence of the priests and all the people,

Jeremiah 28:2 “This is what Yahveh of Armies, the God of Israel, says: ‘I have broken the yoke of the king of Babylon.

Jeremiah 28:3 Within two years I will restore to this place all the articles of Yahveh’s temple that King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon took from here and transported to Babylon.

Jeremiah 28:4 And I will restore to this place Jeconiah son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, and all the exiles from Judah who went to Babylon’ – this is what Yahveh declares – ‘for I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon.'”

Jeremiah 28:5 The prophet Jeremiah replied to the prophet Hananiah in the presence of the priests and all the people who were standing in the temple of Yahveh.

Jeremiah 28:6 The prophet Jeremiah said, “Amen! May Yahveh do that. May Yahveh make the words you have prophesied come true and may he restore the articles of Yahveh’s temple and all the exiles from Babylon to this place!

Jeremiah 28:7 Only listen to this message I am speaking in your hearing and in the hearing of all the people.

Jeremiah 28:8 The prophets who preceded you and me from long ago prophesied war, disaster, and plague against many lands and great kingdoms.

Jeremiah 28:9 As for the prophet who prophesies peace – only when the word of the prophet comes true will the prophet be recognized as one Yahveh has truly sent.”

Jeremiah 28:10 The prophet Hananiah then took the choker from the neck of the prophet Jeremiah and broke it.

Jeremiah 28:11 In the presence of all the people Hananiah proclaimed, “This is what Yahveh says: ‘In this way, within two years I will break the yoke of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon from the neck of all the nations.'” The prophet Jeremiah then went on his way.

Jeremiah 28:12 After the prophet Hananiah had broken the choker from the neck of the prophet Jeremiah, the word of Yahveh came to Jeremiah:

Jeremiah 28:13 “Go say to Hananiah, ‘This is what Yahveh says: You broke a wooden choker, but in its place you will make an iron choker.

Jeremiah 28:14 You see, this is what Yahveh of Armies, the God of Israel, says: I have put an iron yoke on the neck of all these nations that they might serve King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, and they will serve him. I have even put the wild animals under him.'”

Jeremiah 28:15 The prophet Jeremiah said to the prophet Hananiah, “Listen, Hananiah! Yahveh did not send you, but you have led these people to trust in a lie.

Jeremiah 28:16 Therefore, this is what Yahveh says: ‘I am about to send you off the face of the land. You will die this year because you have preached rebellion against Yahveh.'”

Jeremiah 28:17 And the prophet Hananiah died that year in the seventh month.

updating the promise

How Jeremiah wanted to believe that his people would have relief from their oppression. He wanted Hananiah’s prophecy to be true, but it was not. He wanted the yoke of slavery to be broken. But the time was not right. Hananiah had “updated” the promise so that the people could have hope for relief within two years. In other words – he lied. God held him responsible for that lie. He died in exile within the year.

God would eventually break the yoke, but it did the people no good to proclaim to them that now was the time. Likewise, we do the people of God no service, and we do not honor the LORD when we insist on preaching nothing but the positive and encouraging. The whole word of God includes the fact that he judges sin, even in his own house.

LORD, we trust you, and we will wait for your deliverance. We will resist the temptation to add to what you have promised.

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wearing the choker

Posted on November 26, 2020 by Jefferson Vann

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wearing the choker

Jeremiah 27:1-22 (JDV)

Jeremiah 27:1 At the first part of the reign of Zedekiah son of Josiah, king of Judah, this word came to Jeremiah from Yahveh:

Jeremiah 27:2 This is what Yahveh said to me: “Make chains and chokers for yourself and put them on your neck.

Jeremiah 27:3 Send word to the king of Edom, the king of Moab, the king of the Ammonites, the king of Tyre, and the king of Sidon through messengers who are coming to King Zedekiah of Judah in Jerusalem.

Jeremiah 27:4 Command them to go to their masters, saying, ‘This is what Yahveh of Armies, the God of Israel, says: Tell this to your masters:

Jeremiah 27:5 “By my great strength and outstretched arm, I made the land, and the people, and animals on the face of the land. I give it to anyone I please.

Jeremiah 27:6 So now I have placed all these lands under the hand of my servant Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. I have even given him the wild animals to serve him.

Jeremiah 27:7 All nations will serve him, his son, and his grandson until the time for his own land comes, and then many nations and great kings will enslave him.

Jeremiah 27:8 ” ‘ “As for the nation or kingdom that does not serve King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon and does not place its neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon, that nation I will punish by sword, famine, and plague – this is what Yahveh declares – until by him I have destroyed it.

Jeremiah 27:9 So you should not listen to your prophets, diviners, dreamers, fortune-tellers, or sorcerers who say to you, ‘Don’t serve the king of Babylon! ‘

Jeremiah 27:10 They are prophesying a lie to you so that you will be removed from your land. I will banish you, and you will perish.

Jeremiah 27:11 But as for the nation that will put its neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon and serve him, I will leave it in its own land, and that nation will cultivate it and reside in it. this is what Yahveh declares.” ‘”

Jeremiah 27:12 I spoke to King Zedekiah of Judah in the same way: “Put your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon, serve him and his people, and live!

Jeremiah 27:13 Why should you and your people die by the sword, famine, and plague as Yahveh has threatened against any nation that does not serve the king of Babylon?

Jeremiah 27:14 Do not listen to the words of the prophets who are telling you, ‘Don’t serve the king of Babylon,’ for they are prophesying a lie to you.

Jeremiah 27:15 ‘I have not sent them’– this is what Yahveh declares – ‘and they are prophesying falsely in my name; therefore, I will banish you, and you will be destroyed – you and the prophets who are prophesying to you.'”

Jeremiah 27:16 Then I spoke to the priests and all these people, saying, “This is what Yahveh says: ‘Do not listen to the words of your prophets. They are prophesying to you, claiming, “Notice, very soon now the articles of Yahveh’s temple will be brought back from Babylon.” They are prophesying a lie to you.

Jeremiah 27:17 Do not listen to them. Serve the king of Babylon and live! Why should this city become a ruin?

Jeremiah 27:18 If they are indeed prophets and if the word of Yahveh is with them, let them intercede with Yahveh of Armies not to let the articles that remain in Yahveh’s temple, in the palace of the king of Judah, and in Jerusalem go to Babylon.’

Jeremiah 27:19 You see, this is what Yahveh of Armies says about the pillars, the basin, the water carts, and the rest of the articles that still remain in this city,

Jeremiah 27:20 those King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon did not take when he deported Jeconiah son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, from Jerusalem to Babylon along with all the nobles of Judah and Jerusalem.

Jeremiah 27:21 Yes, this is what Yahveh of Armies, the God of Israel, says about the articles that remain in the temple of Yahveh, in the palace of the king of Judah, and in Jerusalem:

Jeremiah 27:22 ‘They will be taken to Babylon and will remain there until I attend to them again.’ this is what Yahveh declares. ‘Then I will bring them up and restore them to this place.'”

wearing the choker

Serving the king of Babylon did not sound like the thing to do for someone committed to God and his covenant. It sounded like the opposite of the right thing. But God had a plan for history that required all the nations to bow the knee to this foreign king. After a while, it would be Babylon’s time to be ruled by someone else. But, for now, Jeremiah told all the nations to wear the choker, because it was God’s will.

There are a number of things that we have to do now that are not in line with God’s eternity. But we do them now, and we wait for better times to come, when we will not have to do them.

Lord, give us wisdom to tolerate those things in life we cannot change, as well as the courage to change the things you want us to.

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stay of execution

Posted on November 25, 2020 by Jefferson Vann
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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.

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

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ambassador of wrath

Posted on November 24, 2020 by Jefferson Vann
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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.

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the real eternity

Posted on November 23, 2020 by Jefferson Vann

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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.

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fig lesson

Posted on November 22, 2020 by Jefferson Vann
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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.

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from pun to punishment

Posted on November 21, 2020 by Jefferson Vann

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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.

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