The Prophet Jeremiah
Monday, June 10 Jeremiah 9:1-11
“I will weep”
Jeremiah’swords poignantly demonstrate that he is not aloof or indifferent to thesuffering of the people. Further, thesorrow Jeremiah feels at the fate of his people is felt by God as well. He is not only the God of righteous judgment,but the God of sorrow who “weeps” and “wails” (verse 10) for the destruction tocome.
Howeverdeeply Jeremiah may have entered into the impending agony of Judah’s suffering,he did not attempt to hide the people’s great wickedness. This was so deep that escape to a wildernessrefuge seemed preferable to being present at the degradation of Jerusalem. The simplest accommodation in an uninhabitedarea would enable the prophet to be free from the sights which thrustthemselves upon him day by day in Jerusalem, where men were all adulterers (intheir worship of foreign gods) and engaged in treacherous lies in order to fooland defraud each other. The people wereso deep in their sins that they were incapable of repentance, refusing to evenacknowledge God.
There is no healing for sin, Lord, wherethere is no recognition of You. Amen.
Tuesday, June 11 Jeremiah 9:12-26
“Call for themourners”
Judgmenthas fallen on Judah for her sins. Following the Baals is a blatant example of the people’s folly. Mourning cries mark the demise of shamefulJudah. Exile is upon them. Death too has arrived and is personified asclimbing into homes and roaming the doomed cities of Judah. While the precise time for the fulfillment ofthese prophecies is not given, it is the wise person who hears the word of Godand understands his anger with sin.
There is a valid form of boasting which comes with the realization ofcorrect priorities. True wisdom is notonly the recognition that God has sent judgment on Judah; it is above allknowledge of the Lord and his character. God reveals himself as One who practices, takes delight in, and requireskindness, justice, and righteousness. Those nations who spurn the moral integrity of God – whether Egypt orIsrael, circumcised or not – will see his judgment. As such, Israel is here criticized as beinguncircumcised of heart. While stillpracticing the outward ritual of circumcision as the sign of God’s people,their hearts are really no different than those of the pagan nations.
May my heart, Lord, delight in kindness,justice, and righteousness. Amen.
Wednesday, June 12 Jeremiah 10:1-16
“Do not act likethe other nations”
Theseverses contain an extended critique of idolatry. Idolatry is described and defined in avariety of ways. Verse 2 refers to theuse of astrology to foretell the future. Verses 3-5 criticize the making and veneration of a wooden image. Verse 9 notes that a wooden piece can bedecorated with silver and gold and clothed in royal colors – but this does notmake it divine. These images are judgedin verse 15 with the claim that they are worthless and will all bedestroyed. The lifeless images of otherdeities are contrasted with the uniqueness of the living God, who is theCreator of heaven and earth.
Much of this section is intended to instruct the people of God duringthe time of their exile. Not that it isirrelevant to the circumstances of Judah before the Babylonian invasion, butthe text is cast in a teaching mode rather than as a list of reasons why theyare being judged. The house of Israel iscalled to avoid the ways of the nations. Assimilation, if not outright capitulation, to a dominant culture was areal problem for Israelites among other nations.
Reveal to mepotential idols in my life, Lord, that I might turn from them. Amen.
Thursday, June 13 Jeremiah 10:17-25
“Correct me Lord, but please be gentle”
In verses 17-18 Jeremiahaddresses people who will soon be under siege. He advises them to gather up whatever possessions they can carry andleave the city before it is too late, for the hour of God’s judgment is athand. Next, Jeremiah laments over thebesieged nation. She has sufferedhurt. Her wounds are incurable. Her shepherds (leaders) have not sought afterGod, nor have they conducted themselves with reference to God’s laws. They have failed, and as a result the sheep(people) suffer.
The chapterconcludes with the prayer of Jeremiah which contains a frank admission thathuman resources are not enough to keep a person on the pathway marked out byGod. God is humbly implored to correctthe errant ways of the one who prays – but in a manner that reveals God’sjustice without employing continued acts of judgment. There is more wisdom than resignation in theway the prayer begins. A person does notultimately direct his or her own pathways; rather, they are in the hands ofGod.
You direct ourways, Lord, and correct us when we go astray. Amen.
Friday, June 14 Jeremiah 11:1-17
“Remember theancient covenant”
The language of“covenant” is prevalent in this section, referring to the covenant God madewith his people as he brought them out of Egyptian slavery. One may compare the basic marriageformulation (“I will be your husband, and you will be my wife”) with that ofthe covenant between God and Israel. Bothpresuppose an exclusive, intimate relationship. The covenant also contained consequences for disobedience of thecovenant requirements. Judah’sveneration of other gods is such a violation (verses 9-13), and their appeal topagan gods will do nothing to rescue them from the consequences of theirwaywardness.
The Lordrecognizes that much, if not all, of Jeremiah’s report to the people will fallon deaf ears and hard hearts. As aresult, the prophet is commanded not to pray for the people. These somber words from God are intended as awarning for the people rather than simply a message to the prophet. If they do not turn from their evil ways, noteven the prayers of the prophet will save them.
I am committed to my relationship with you,Lord, as You are to me. Amen.
Saturday, June 15 Jeremiah 11:18 – 12:17
“I was like a lambbeing led to the slaughter”
Jeremiahis shown the true intentions of neighbors from his hometown of Anathoth (ashort distance north of Jerusalem). Godreveals to him that they intend to humiliate him and to bring his propheticwork to an end, even to murder him. Jeremiahdescribes himself, therefore, as a lamb led to slaughter, indicating that heconsiders himself innocent of any wrongdoing. Jeremiah asks not only for deliverance, but also for God to judge thosewho persecute him unjustly.
Jeremiahgoes on to plead his case with God. Theissue that Jeremiah brings is not just that of threat to his life (althoughthat is the primary element); it is also the question of why a righteous Godallows the way of the wicked to prosper. If God is so clearly opposed to the activity of the wicked, then why notjudge them and be done with it? Jeremiahprays for the destruction of the wicked because of the harm they have broughtto the land and asks that they (instead of he) be taken off like sheep for theslaughter. God replies that Jeremiah isto look to the Lord for his strength and to the vindication the Lord willreveal in the future.
Whenpeople seek to do me harm, Lord, You will be my strength. Amen.