Bible Pathway - Aug. 30, 2010
Highlights:
Jeremiah's intense burden for Jerusalem reflects the love and sorrow God has for His wayward children (yes, and even every one of us) (Matt. 23:37-38). God sent prophets to plead for obedience! In prosperity there are many places to turn but in adversity only one.
Jeremiah was deeply grieved that the holy city of Jerusalem had become as a widow! she that was great among the nations, and princess among the provinces, how is she become tributary! She weepeth sore (bitterly) in the night, and her tears are on her cheeks . . . she hath none to comfort her: all her friends have dealt treacherously with her, they are become her enemies. Judah is gone into captivity (Lam. 1:1-3). Jeremiah tells us why Jerusalem was reduced to such deplorable destruction: The Lord hath afflicted her for the multitude of her transgressions (1:5).
The prophet Jeremiah compared the once wealthy, secure, and proud Israelites to a widow who had lost her husband. The loving Lord was the generous Provider and powerful Protector of Israel, but the people rejected Him for heathen idols (Jer. 3:20). As a widow, Jerusalem was now destroyed, the remaining few were weeping in the night, with no one to comfort her: Jerusalem hath grievously sinned (Lam. 1:8). The Covenant of God with Israel was designed to be a blessing, but they had not kept their part of the Covenant. Spiritual neglect eventually led the Israelites to lose not only their prosperity and liberty but also the precious privilege of letting the world know that the One True God expects them to reject their idols and worship Him, their Creator.
We too have one supreme reason for living, and it is not to obtain financial security, popularity, or material success, or to look forward to the next vacation. The question that needs to be addressed is: Will we read how we must live to gain the most out of life or suffer the consequences? Pity the people who are wasting their few short years of life chasing social and economic goals, but failing to achieve the purpose for which God created them. Jesus asked a sobering question: Why call ye Me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? (Luke 6:46). Obviously, we can't do something we don't know, so, He calls upon each of us to know the Scriptures, His Guide to our lives.
We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men (II Cor. 5:10-11).
Thought for Today:
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy (James 3:17).
Christ Revealed:
By Jeremiah's sorrow over the destruction of Jerusalem (Lam. 1:12-22). Jesus expressed His sorrow for Jerusalem's failure to come to Him before it fell (Matt. 23:37; Luke 13:34).
Word Studies:
1:3 between the straits =there there was no way out; 1:4 solemn feasts =appointed assemblies; 1:9 came down wonderfully =had a horrifying fall; 1:14 wreathed =joined, intertwined; 2:12 their soul was poured out into =they died in.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Broadcasts in memory of Letha Hash • Country: Zimbabwe (11.2 million) in south-central Africa • Major languages: English and Shona • Limited religious freedom • 59% Christian; 35% Traditional; 2% Muslim; 4% Other/non-Religious (Hindu, Buddhist, Baha'i, Jewish) • Prayer Suggestion: Confess your sins to the Lord; He is quick to forgive (Ps. 32:5).
Optional Reading: Revelation 4
Memory Verse for the Week: Romans 8:18
