Bible Pathway - Aug. 14, 2011
Read Jeremiah 1
Highlights:
God knew Jeremiah long before he was born (Jer. 1:4-5)! Is the Word of God in your mouth (1:9)? God reminds Judah of its blessings (2:1-7); of the people forsaking Him (2:13) and worshiping false gods (2:10-12,26-28). Israel more righteous than Judah (3:6-11); Judah urged to repent (3:14-17); national restoration promised (3:16-18). God speaks (3:22)!
God is the Source of all that nourishes, enriches, and satisfies our nature which depends on Him — the Fountain of Living Waters (Jer. 2:13). Real satisfactions — physical, emotional, and spiritual — are available only from God. This is life eternal, that they might know Thee (John 17:3).
In the desert climate of Palestine, water was the first necessity for human existence. No one would exchange an artesian well with abundant water for a man-made, broken cistern that could hold no water.
But the nation of Judah was even more foolish: My people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit. Be astonished, O ye heavens, at this. . . . For My people have committed two evils; they have forsaken Me the Fountain of Living Waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water (Jer. 2:11-13).
The two evils are the same thing. There is the self-willed departure from God and the self-sufficient life. They have forsaken Me. All sin is a forsaking of God. The dream of a self-sufficient life leads to disappointment and death. Yet, they callously deserted Him for their man-made, lifeless gods which cannot sustain life. What a shocking example of ingratitude! This illustrates the self-sufficient human nature of mankind who refuse to be loyal to God.
The people of Judah were symbolic of those who reject the Bible as the Fountain of Living Water. Many have turned to popular books by men. But compared to the Word of God, they are no more than cisterns, that can hold no water. Many writings of men may be helpful, but they are not equal to or to be a substitute for the Bible as the Source of all Truth.
It was no easy matter for Jeremiah to come boldly forward and threaten the judgment of God against his country. Jeremiah was to speak only what God commanded him. It is our duty to be equally faithful. Truth is not the private property of us in America; it is the rightful heritage of all the world. That is why it is so important to provide Bibles and Bible Pathways to all who request them. In a real sense our lives are a type of our Lord's. Like Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, and Jeremiah, we are choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season (Heb. 11:7-26).
Thought for Today:
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations . . . to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you (Matt. 28:19-20).
Christ Revealed:
As the Fountain of Living Waters (Jer.2:13). Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink (John 7:37-38; also 4:1-26).
Word Studies:
2:3 offend be held guilty; 2:14 spoiled laid waste, plundered; 2:18 Sihor the Nile River; the river the Euphrates; 2:31 lords independent; 2:33 trimmest . . . thy way to seek love to good (as a show to impress) to get love; 3:2 been lien with acted like a prostitute; 3:9 lightness shameless behavior; 3:10 feignedly deceptively.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Staff: Rita Guerra • Government Official: Rep. Louise Slaughter (NY) • Country: Spain (39.6 million) in southwestern Europe • Major languages: Castilian Spanish and Catalan • Limited religious freedom • 85% Roman Catholicism; 1% Islam; .5% Protestant; .5% Jehovah's Witness; 13% Other (Mormon, Jewish, Secular Humanist) • Prayer Suggestion: Bless the Lord at all times regardless of circumstances (Ps. 34:1).
Optional Reading:
Memory Verse for the Week:
2 Timothy 3:2
