Reading for today:  Jeremiah 26-29
Original post:  August 21, 2014


Between these prophecies the annexation of Jerusalem (and all Judah) takes place.   Exactly what God spoke of when He told Jeremiah what to say has come true.    Now, Jeremiah continues to educate the people by revealing God's punishment of the false prophets among them.  One by one Jeremiah contradicts what the false prophets have predicted, and then he pronounces a judgment upon each of them.   Of course, over a period of time each of these prophecies come true.

It would appear that Jeremiah isn't in Babylon with the people.  He has sent them word to settle down and have families there.  In yesterday's reading the Lord said that He would look with favor upon the people taken captive, but would scatter the people who were left in the land.   To me, that seemed counter-intuitive.  I would have thought that the people who were left had a special "exemption" from persecution from God, but that's not the case.

I don't choose to go into too much detail today, but there is a train of thought that says "God disciplines those He loves".   Therefore, as we think of the end times, we cannot say with complete confidence that God will not allow any Christians to endure the tribulation.   It is possible that we will be raptured to heaven before any of the intense trials of the tribulation begin, but it isn't certain.    Verses such as this one remind us that difficult times can be ordained by God (for our good).   It isn't always the devil who sends hard times our way.       Better for us to ask "why has the Lord allowed this to occur?" rather than to curse His name, and vow not to serve a God who allows bad things to happen.  

As I was praying to understand why the exiles would be blessed and the remnant would be scattered, it occurred to me that God is able to make any decision He wants, and to use any means He wants to make it happen.   Why He does what He does is sometimes revealed to us, but not always.   And on those occasions when He doesn't reveal why, then we have no "right" to demand an answer.      I think that the people who where left in Judah continued to worship false gods, even after they saw everything Jeremiah said come true.

Last thought:   In today's reading we see the very popular verse "I have plans to prosper you..."  found in 29:11-14.   Remember as you read it, that this verse was given to people who had just begun their deportment, and many of whom would never see their homeland again.   It was meant to encourage and bring strength through hope to the exiles (as they told it to their children).   The time of the exile is set....70 years.   Now they are to pray for the community that they are in, work diligently and prosper as best they can.   They will not get to keep everything they plant, much of their earnings will be taken as tax, and they will be subjected to harsh laws meant to keep them in submission to the authority.    Disobedience could easily mean death.    (Daniel will risk everything when he chooses not to bow, or eat from the kings table, etc.)

We sometimes take the verse out of it's original context and use it for our building campaign, or our next project.  I think we should be careful here....the false prophets are accused of painting a rosy picture for the people when God was actually not pleased with them.    Unless we are speaking of future days of glory with Jesus Christ, let's not promise God's plan to prosper and bless unless we know for certain that's what He intends to do.

Context is always a key factor in understanding what you are reading.   Yesterday Pastor Kathy asked how we would recognize a false prophet.   That's a great question, and one that each of us should take to heart.  How do we recognize them?   Context is one way.   Always make sure that the Scripture being quoted isn't being "twisted into shape" to fit the message of the speaker.   Rather, the speaker should allow the Scripture to speak, and if there is any adjustment to be made, let it be on the human end, not the divine.

PR