Friday, July 23 2010
Jeremiah 44
Verse of the Week: V6 “Wherefore my fury and mine anger was poured forth, and was kindled in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem; and they are wasted and desolate, as at this day.”
1. Pride (V1-10)
V10 “They are not humbled even unto this day, neither have they feared, nor walked in my law, nor in my statutes, that I set before you and before your fathers.”
The people of Judah were so proud that they refused to learn from their past mistakes and continue to sin against God. As a result, God severely judged and punished them.
2. Rebellion (V11-19)
V16 “As for the word that thou hast spoken unto us in the name of the LORD, we will not hearken unto thee.”
The people of Judah were so rebellious that they refused to acknowledge and obey the true and living God but instead worshipped their so-called false god, the queen of heaven.
1 Samuel 15:23
“For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, He hath also rejected thee from being king.”
3. Evil (V20-30)
V22 “So that the LORD could no longer bear, because of the evil of your doings, and because of the abominations which ye have committed; therefore is your land a desolation, and an astonishment, and a curse, without an inhabitant, as at this day.”
The people of Judah were so evil that God could no longer bear their evil deeds but had to severely judge and punish them. Though God had promised Abraham, Isaac and Jacob that He shall richly bless their descendents, the nation of Israel or the people of Judah, yet God’s promise was conditional, that is, provided the people of Judah loved, obeyed and cleaved to the true and living God.
Deuteronomy 30:19-20
“I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey His voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto Him: for He is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.”
Prayer of the Week
Dearest God, please help to do what pleases You.
