2014-06-27
Good Morning Dear Ones,
For the last couple of weeks, I’ve been discussing the fate of the prophets, especially Jeremiah. This story needs to be brought to completion, so that we can put all this information from history into the context of why I can justifiably call this segment of the “Our Covenant” messages “Richer Than Imagined.” Such are the blessings of those who believe in Jehovah, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and His Son, Jesus Christ. There are many lessons we can learn from rehearsing our history with our great and gracious God.
You’ll remember that Jeremiah, the prophet, had been tossed into the muddy cistern of Malkijah, who was King Zedekiah’s son. It was in the courtyard of the guard [JER 38: 6]. While the king was still in the Benjamin Gate near the temple, a Cushite official by the name of Ebed-Melach convinced the king to have Jeremiah rescued, and the king ordered this [JER 38: 10-12]. Once again, Jeremiah was brought to the king and questioned, and the king promised not to turn the prophet over to Jeremiah’s enemies who threatened his life. Then, the king expressed his own fright of his enemies, and Jeremiah advised him to surrender to the Babylonians. God had told Jeremiah there was no chance at this late date [586 BC was coming soon] for Israel to win the day. Zedekiah asked Jeremiah to keep that conversation secret. Jeremiah remained in the courtyard of the guard until the day Jerusalem was captured [JER 38: 14-28].
Zedekiah didn’t take Jeremiah’s advice, and Jerusalem was besieged and captured in the tenth month of 586 BC. Zedekiah was taken on the plains of Jericho trying to defend her. Zedekiah’s sons were slaughtered before the king’s eyes at Riblah, and the king was taken to Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylonia [JER 39: 5-6]. The poor people (Jews who owned nothing) left behind in Israel were given vineyards and fields (10). The commander of the Judean court guard ordered Jeremiah to be removed from the courtyard of the guard and placed in the care of Gedaliah, son of Ahikam, grandson of Shaphan [high officials in the royal court of Judah-JER 40: 1-6]]. Sadly, Gedaliah was soon assassinated by Ishmael, son Nethaniah, sent by the Ammonite king, Baalis [JER 40: 13; JER 41: 1-3]. Johanan, son of Kareah, had warned Gedaliah, but it was too late. At the time of Gedaliah’s assassination, most of the Judean officers were killed, but nine of them promised the enemy wheat, barley, olive oil, and honey hidden in a field, and thus, were saved. These items are significant, as they are some of the seven foods mentioned in DT 8: 7-8. Johanan met with Ishmael at Gibeon, and Ishmael’s Judean captives were happy to see him and his officers there. Ishmael and his men escaped them and fled back to Ammon [JER 41: 11-15].
The Judean officers led by Johanan asked Jeremiah to pray to God for His advice. Ten days later, God told them not to be afraid of the Babylonians, because He will deliver and have compassion for them and eventually restore the Jews to their land [JER 42: 11-12]. God explicitly told the remnant of Israel not to go to Egypt, or they would suffer and die from the sword, plague, and famine [JER 42: 16]. The remnant of Israel refused this advice and accused Jeremiah of telling lies concocted by his scribe, Baruch [JER 43: 2-4]. So they entered Egypt in disobedience to God, going to Tahpanhes, where the Pharaoh Hopfra had a palace (7). The Lord told Jeremiah to have large stones buried at the palace entrance, and that He would order Nebuchadnezzar to take over the palace, killing those destined for death, capturing others and pronouncing the fate of the sword on still others (10-11). An angry God explains, in JER 44:1-13, that idolatry and disobedience are the reasons He allows the destruction of Jerusalem, the remnant of the Jews who went to Egypt, and Judah, except for a few fugitives. This is from the sword, plague, and famine. The remnant knew their wives had been burning incense to the Queen of Heaven, the name given to Ishtar, an important Babylonian goddess--surely a form of idolatry-- when they told Jeremiah they would refuse to listen to God’s pronouncement of their doom [JER 44: 16-17]. Once again God used Jeremiah to deliver His message of doom, saying that only a few people will escape to Judah and survive His wrath. Meanwhile, God said Pharaoh Hophra (who ruled Egypt from 589-570 BC) that Egypt would be handed over to their enemies, just as He handed over King Zedekiah to the Babylonians [JER 44: 30]. No more is said about Jeremiah, and it is assumed he died in Egypt, possibly around 582 BC. There is a passage which I have cited many times that bears repeating. It is IS 46: 9-10, which bears a key lesson for all of us to truly understand. “I am God, and there is none like Me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’” There is nothing arrogant in this statement; It is the truth. Everyone should understand it and be glad that any decision or action taken by God is in the best eternal interests of the person or people to which it is directed. Our God is always good, wise, and righteous. We are encouraged to faithfully obey Him, in view of the love He has for those who believe in Him.
PRAYER: O Lord, You have told us, in 2 TIM 3: 16-17, “All Scripture is God-breathed and useful in teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be fully equipped for every good work.” Additionally, You have told us, in PS 86: 5,7, and 15, more crucial reconnaissance. “You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to You…In the day of my trouble I will call to You, for you will answer me…But You, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.” It is these two passages from Your word, O Father, that tell us why it is so necessary for me to pray today in a way that convinces us beyond a doubt of the importance of daily study of Your word and having an active prayer life. These are the most common channels You use to convey Your messages to us, Your guidance and encouragement. Because of the increasing evilness of this world, it is difficult for us to remain faithfully obedient to You at all times. But, this is what we must do! You never promised us that it would be easy, but You do make it possible for us to be saved eternally through faith in Jesus Christ. We will praise You, O Lord our God, with all our hearts and we will glorify Your name forever. PS 86: 13, “For great is Your love toward me; You have delivered me from the depths of the grave.” It was Your will that our Lord Jesus would give His life on the cross, so that none of us will perish, but have everlasting life [JN 3: 16; RO 3: 24-25]. You give Your loving messages in Your word, repeating them often so that we will always know Your love for us and will that we should cooperate in the process of sanctification—by which You gradually perfect and purify us. We will never be able to thank and praise You enough! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
NEXT WEEK: This “Richer Than Imagined” segment continues, as the Holy Spirit directs me to write about name changes and the meaning of key names of people in the stories of Jeremiah and other prophets. Our Covenant Partner gives us specific directions on how to approach Him in reverence and how to deal with our shared enemies [EPH 3: 12]. What a precious relationship we have with both our Covenant Partner and our human covenant partners! As tough as it is to fend off the temptation of the adversary, it is truly worth the effort. The blessings of protection, salvation, eternal forgiveness, provision, and so many more are a vital part of our earthly lives and our eternal one. It is for these reasons that I urge each of you reading this devotion to boldly and with sensitivity to proclaim the Gospel message of peace and salvation to those who potentially may become believers in the Lord. This can be done both by our example and by our words. We must answer Christ’s own words in MT 28: 19-20, the Great Commission: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I will be with you till the end of the age.” If we pray to Him to send us opportunities to witness to our faith, I can testify by first-hand experience that He will do this. If we pray to Him, listening for His words first, He will answer our prayers [PS 116: 1]. If we are truly faithful covenant partners of His, we will be given the right words to say or example to set, equipping us to bring others to Him, so that they are at peace with Him and saved for eternity. No other god can do this. Praise and thanks be to Him forever!
Grace Be With You Always,
Lynn
JS 24: 15
© Lynn Johnson 2014. All Rights Reserved.
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