Bible Pathway - Aug. 21, 2012
Read Jeremiah 26
Highlights:
Jeremiah's arrest; subjection to Nebuchadnezzar foretold; Hananiah's false prophecy; his death.
Then will I make this house like Shiloh, and will make this city a curse to all the nations of the earth (Jer. 26:6).
About twenty-two years before the first attack on Jerusalem, God commanded Jeremiah to speak unto all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the Lord's house at Jerusalem (26:2). He warned that this house (the Temple) would be left as empty as Shiloh, the city where Joshua had set up the Tabernacle when they first entered the promised land (Jos. 18:1). But God forsook the Tabernacle of Shiloh because of the nation's persistent sins (Ps. 78:60). In Jeremiah's time, Shiloh was nothing but empty ruins — a reminder of the nation's sins (Jer. 7:12-14).
There are normally places and things to remind us of good times and bad times. The memorials that remind us of the good times should be looked on to remind us that God worked in our lives in times past. If He did it then, He will do it again. Likewise, ruins remind us of the dark times. Mistakes made should not be repeated. So, let God work anew in your life. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new (II Cor. 5:17).
After Jeremiah faithfully delivered God's message — I will make this house like Shiloh — he was arrested and all the people were gathered against Jeremiah in the House of the Lord (Jer. 26:9). The priests and the prophets said: This man is worthy to die; for he hath prophesied against this city, as ye have heard with your ears (26:11).
The popular crowd seldom has the leading of God. If we choose to walk in the path that our Lord chose, we may find ourselves standing alone. The path of the cross is not crowded. We often say that the right way is not the way of the majority. Serving God can sometimes be a lonely thing. You might find that you were the only one in a group that stood for God and His Word. In these times, it is important to remember, we are never truly alone. God is always with us. Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee (Heb. 13:5). If you make a stand for God, He will stand with you.
If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him (II Tim. 2:12).
Thought for Today:
God enables us to be faithful to Him even when facing opposition.
Christ Portrayed:
By Jeremiah, who was falsely accused by the priests and the false prophets (Jer. 26:8-9). Our Lord was also threatened and falsely accused by the religious rulers of His day. The elders . . . and the chief priests and the scribes. . . . began to accuse Him, saying, We found this Fellow perverting (misleading) the nation, and forbidding to give tribute (pay taxes) to Caesar, saying that He Himself is Christ a King (Luke 22:66 — 23:2; also John 8:48,59).
Word Study:
26:14 meet, right; 27:19 the sea, the bronze laver at which the priests cleansed their hands and feet before entering the Temple; residue, remainder.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Broadcasts in memory of Letha Hash • Government Officials: Rep. Tim Griffin (AR) and Sen. Jon Tester (MT) • Country: Saudi Arabia (20.9 million) on the Arabian Peninsula in southwestern Asia • Major language: Arabic • Christian worship services for foreign personnel are tolerated, but those who seek to convert Muslims to Christianity face persecution • 86% Sunni (Wahabi) Muslim; 10% Shi'ite Muslim; 1% Ismaili Muslim; 3% Others (including 600,000 Christians and some Hindus and Buddhists) • Prayer Suggestion: Praise the Lord for His love (Ps. 63:3).
Optional Reading: 1 John 3
Memory Verse for the Week: Psalms 18:2
