Bible Pathway - Aug. 14, 2012

Highlights:

Jeremiah's call; his message to sinful Judah; prosperity; present apostasy, resulting in idolatry; Judah entreated to repent.

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).

Israel, the only people in the world who had received a revelation of God and His will, was the very nation that exchanged their God for that which doth not profit. What an astounding example of ingratitude and rejection of God! Their sin was in rejecting the real for the unreal. Time after time, we read in God's Word how His people turned their backs on Him. They had seen God move on their behalf in wondrous ways, yet they continually looked in other directions for their help. Foolishness, we might say, but we are often found doing the same thing. God answered our prayers in times past. However, like Israel, other times we do not ask. Pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much (James 5:16).

In the desert climate of Palestine, water was the first necessity of human existence. Men fought and died over wells. No man in his right mind would leave an artesian well where there was a great supply of water to dig his own well and just hope for some miraculous spring of water. We would consider such a man foolish indeed. God was their spring of water; yet, they deserted Him.

This is also a picture of many who reject the Bible as the Fountain of Living Waters (Jer. 2:13). Many have turned to the easy-to-read substitutes written by men, but many of them are little more than cisterns that can hold no water (2:13) compared to the Word of God. Many writings of men may be helpful in life, but they cannot be a substitute for actually reading the Word of God for one's self. There is no substitute for the Bible. The words on its pages are alive. If we allow it, the Bible will become part of us. Its words will become branded on our heart as we study them with an open mind and heart. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth (II Tim. 2:15).

But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life (John 4:14).

Thought for Today:

God's Word reveals the difference between error and Truth.

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, do 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 M. Slaughter (NY) • Country: Qatar (600,000) in southwestern Asia • Major languages: Arabic and English • Muslim conversion to Christ is forbidden, but expatriate Christians are allowed to meet informally • 79.5% Muslim; 10.5% Christian; 7.2% Hindu; 1.8% Buddhist; .9% non-Religious/Other • Prayer Suggestion: Thank God for guiding you to sacrifice freely for what pleases Him (Ps. 54:6).

Optional Reading: 1 Peter 4

Memory Verse for the Week: Isaiah 55:11