Bible Pathway - Aug. 23, 2012
Read Jeremiah 32
Highlights:
Jeremiah's imprisonment; glorious return promised to the captives; Christ, the Branch of righteousness, promised.
Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for Me? Therefore thus saith the Lord; Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the Chaldeans, and into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and he shall take it (Jer. 32:27-28).
The final attack on Jerusalem began in the ninth year of Zedekiah's reign. But as Pharaoh's Egyptian army approached, the Chaldean armies temporarily withdrew (37:5). Almost everyone in Jerusalem expected Egypt to provide deliverance and bring about a victory; but Jeremiah persistently declared that the Chaldeans would conquer them (37:7-8).
Finally, Jeremiah was imprisoned for prophesying Jerusalem's defeat by Nebuchadnezzar, but rejecting the Word of God does not alter it (34:1-7). The Word of God is unchanging. Man can try to rewrite it, burn every copy or anything else he wants, but God's Word will live on in the hearts of those who love God. Governments can imprison the servants and prophets of God, but that will not silence them. Many have and will be executed for proclaiming the Word of God to the world. God will raise up others to take their place on the frontlines for God. But the Word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the Word which by the Gospel is preached unto you (I Pet. 1:25).
Because of Judah's willful sin, the prophet had foretold: ye shall not prosper (Jer. 32:5). Failure followed their every effort and scheme. Their success could not come from well-laid plans, but in humbly turning to God who said: Is there any thing too hard for Me? (32:27). Indeed, nothing is too hard or too difficult for Him to accomplish through us who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit (Rom. 8:1).
The world will often turn to every other recourse before it turns to God. The answer to life's problems will never be found in the wisdom and knowledge of men. Those answers are only available from God. It is in Him that we find the direction to walk, help in making decisions, and guidance through life's storms. He leads us in our walk of faith. Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the Throne of God (Heb. 12:2). If we allow Him, Christ will not only start the good work of our lives, but He will see it through to the end.
Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors though Him that loved us (Rom. 8:37).
Thought for Today:
Sin brings grief and bondage; Christ brings peace and freedom.
Christ Portrayed:
By Jeremiah who, even though he was in prison, acted as a kinsman-redeemer by purchasing the land of his cousin Hanameel (Jer. 32:6-14; Lev. 25:25,49; Ruth 2:20; 3:12-13). Jesus is our Kinsman-Redeemer who purchased our freedom from sin, hell, and the grave with His own blood on Calvary (I Cor. 6:20; Gal. 4:4-5; Titus 2:13-14; Heb. 13:12; Rev. 1:18).
Word Study:
32:4 mouth to mouth, face to face; 32:10 evidence, deed; 32:25 for (second usage), even though; 32:44 subscribe evidences, sign deeds.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Staff: Barbara Jean Jackson • Government Official: Gov. William Edward “Bill” Haslam (TN) • Country: Serbia and Montenegro (11 million) on the Balkan Peninsula in southeastern Europe • Major language: Serbo-Croatian • Religious conflict • 41% Serbian/Montenegrin/Macedonian Orthodox; 33% Catholic; 11% Muslim; 1% Protestant • Prayer Suggestion: All men need to pray to the Lord, who hears prayers (Ps. 65:2).
Optional Reading: 1 John 5
Memory Verse for the Week: Psalms 18:2
