Jeremiah 1-3
Original Post:  August 14, 2014


Today we begin reading through one the the key Old Testament texts.   It is the longest book in the Bible, having more words than any other book.   Jeremiah is more well known to us than any other prophet, because many of his most private thoughts and emotions were recorded.    He is called  to his ministry during the reign of Josiah, the righteous king and great grandson of Hezekiah.   Josiah is king in Judah, the southern kingdom, but Jeremiah has a word from God for both the northern and southern kingdoms.

On the world stage, empires are shifting.  The Assyrians have dominated the middle east for many years, conquering as far as Egypt.   As Jeremiah is prophesying, the Babylonians are becoming a world power.   Under Nabopoolassar and his son Nebuchadnezzer all other regional nations have fallen.   Nineveh, once the capital city for the Assyrian empire has been conquered.   Egypt has tried to come to the rescue of Assyria, but it hasn't helped.  Nebuchadnezzer defeats Egypt soundly at the battle of Carchemish, and in so doing becomes the new "world power".     Soon Nebuchadnezzer will appear in Jerusalem to fulfill the prophecy regarding the fall of Judah.

Jeremiah is often referred to as "the weeping prophet" because his message was primarily one of gloom.   I assume that he didn't reveal his visions with a calm, straight face, but rather was emotionally investing in what he said.    I imagine him to be visibly disturbed, sometimes shouting and pleading, and often with tears and a trembling voice.     He must have been very compelling, because he was a close friend of Josiah, and enjoyed unhindered access to the kings court during his reign.   As soon as Josiah died (in his battle with Pharaoh) fortunes changed for Jeremiah.    He was often jailed, infrequently taken seriously and generally scorned.

His calling in Chapter 1 help us understand when life begins.  God says that Jeremiah was known and had a life mission "before he was formed in the womb".   I take that to mean that life begins at conception.    As I see it, the only reason we argue it at all is for selfish reasons (1. we don't want to have a child, or be hindered by the pregnancy   2.  we would like to use the fetal body to create something else that benefits us)   Both of these are grounded in selfishness, which is never a godly endeavor.   Therefore, my reading of Jeremiah 1 helps me develop my belief about birth and abortion.

In chapter 2 God refers to himself as the "spring of living water" which reminds me of Jesus' conversation with the woman at the well.    Just before this passage God asks the people "when has a nation every changed it's gods?"   which is really a compelling question.    Why would Israel defect?   They were delivered out of Egypt by a series of miracles, and seemingly had a steady stream of miracles the whole time they were in the desert.   Every judge was clearly filled with the power of God, and testified to the fact.  So during the time of the judges God revealed himself constantly.   Who can argue how closely David followed the Lord?   Even in their recent history the Israelites have served God.    What would cause a leader to decide in his own heart that God wasn't real?   And who in the world would ever follow him?   The people must have known that the current king, no matter who he is cannot make decisions about who God is.   Why did they listen, and not stone him?     In some ways, I think this is what God is asking.\

Also in chapter 2 is the reference to bringing charges against "your children's children".  Our sins have consequences not only for us, but for our grand-kids.    I trust that our righteousness will be visited upon our descendants for many more generations, in keeping with God's promises.

In chapter 3 God actually gives the people another chance to return to him, and seemingly to stave off disaster.   However as history will prove out, they would not return.   Honestly, this baffles me.   I struggle to understand how God's chosen people could be so hardened of heart.     My prayer is that I will not follow the same path.

As in most other prophecies regarding Israel's faithlessness, their apostasy is referred to as prostitution.  Is is a graphic way to illustrate how God views our prayers to objects of wood and stone.    Ironically, if you had encountered these people on the street, you would think they were Christians by the way they acted.   They prayed to God all the time, they called Him their friend, and they expected God to hear and deliver them.   The problem was they weren't serious.  They also prayed to other gods, and trusted in other gods.   They knew God, but didn't obey Him or follow His commands.   Again,  my prayer is that our faith would be genuine, proved valid by our actions and our wholehearted devotion to the One and Only True God.   Jesus Christ.

Undoubtedly there is far more to discuss in these chapters, but since the post is getting long, I'll save it for another time.


PR