Rev. Don Campbell
Jeremiah 14-17
THOUGHT FOR TODAY, August 11, 2019
“BLESSINGS AND CURSES”
When God had brought the children of Israel out of Egypt and was ratifying the covenant with them, he set before them a blessing and a curse: “See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse: the blessing, if you obey the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you today, and the curse, if you do not obey the commandments of the Lord your God, but turn aside from the way that I am commanding you today, to go after other gods that you have not known” (Deuteronomy 11:26-28). They promised to do all that he had commanded. After they had settled in the land and just before his death, Joshua lay the blessings and curses before them again: “And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15).
Centuries have now passed. God blessed them, they didn’t keep their end of the deal, he punished them, they returned, and ant cycle was repeated over and over. Now, it is Jeremiah’s task to announce judgment against them. Jeremiah tried to intercede for them, but God told him to stop. It appears that Jeremiah decided to speak on behalf of the nation and confession their sins:
“Have you utterly rejected Judah?
Does your soul loathe Zion?
Why have you struck us down
so that there is no healing for us?
We looked for peace, but no good came;
for a time of healing, but behold, terror.
We acknowledge our wickedness, O Lord,
and the iniquity of our fathers,
for we have sinned against you.
Do not spurn us, for your name’s sake;
do not dishonor your glorious throne;
remember and do not break your covenant with us.
Are there any among the false gods of the nations that can bring rain?
Or can the heavens give showers?
Are you not he, O Lord our God?
We set our hope on you,
for you do all these things” (Jeremiah 14:19-22)
God’s response was: “Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, yet my heart would not turn toward this people. Send them out of my sight, and let them go!” (Jeremiah 15:1).
Generation after generation had failed to keep their word; they can be sure that God will keep his.
CONNECTIONS
1. The writer of Hebrews reminds us: “For we know him who said, ‘Vengeance is mine; I will repay.’ And again, ‘The Lord will judge his people.’ It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:30-32). Have modern prophets preach John 3:16 so strong that people believe they can live any way they want to and still go to heaven?
2. John said that perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:17-18). But what else does he say? (1 John 5:3)
