Bible Pathways - Aug. 18, 2009
Read Jeremiah 15
Highlights In Today's Reading:
Although Jeremiah suffers much, he stays bold before man because he is broken before God (15:10-21; 16:1-4,19-21; 17:11-18; 18:18-23). He tells Judah that punishment is inevitable (15:1-9; 16:5-13; 17:1-4) but that there's still hope (16:14-18) and wisdom (17:5-10,19-27). Fact: Our lives are in the hands of God (18:1-17)!
It is always amazing how the worldly-minded continually attempt to blame God for their problems — even for their sins. The sinner has not changed since Adam blamed God after he ate the forbidden fruit, saying: The woman whom Thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat (Gen. 3:12), implying, that it wasn't his fault.
The sovereignty of God is often distorted by people who make the excuse that they can't help being what they are, saying: "My genes made me this way; or this was the way God made me." Or, they blame what they believe are circumstances beyond their control, saying: "I was an abused child; or I was brought up in the ghetto; or I didn't have the education that others had."
God responded to Judah's stubborn attitude by sending the prophet to the potter's house to reveal who was really to blame for their problems. There lay the clay — a lifeless lump — with no possibility of spontaneous evolution into a form of usefulness. The potter has the power to leave the clay untouched or to make it either into a vessel of honor or a vessel of dishonor.
When the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter (Jer. 18:4), it was the hardness within the clay and not the hand of the potter that made the vessel worthless. This is the story of the chosen people of God. God is the Potter; Israel (the remnant of Judah) is the clay; history (the wheel) is turning as God, the Master Potter, molds and shapes His chosen vessel. As a nation, Israel habitually resisted the will of God and was marred by sin. The vessel (nation) was beyond repair. Therefore, the vessel (Israel), was to be broken by Babylon and the people taken into captivity.
After 70 years of captivity (25:11), God made the clay into another vessel as repentant Jews forsook their idols and returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple and worship Him.
Like Judah, every Christian is an earthen vessel created by God who has a plan for each of us to be a vessel of honor for His use. God will remake anyone into a chosen vessel who yields to His soveriegn will (Rom. 9:19-21). Paul prayed: The very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (I Thess. 5:23).
Thought for Today:
The earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein (Ps. 24:1).
Christ Revealed:
By Jeremiah's words to God: Thy Word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart (Jer. 15:16). Jesus said: The words that I speak unto you, they are Spirit, and they are Life (John 6:63).
Word Studies:
15:1 toward = favorable to; 15:6 repenting = grieving over and giving you another chance; 17:10 try the reins = test the heart; 18:11 frame = prepare; 18:15 in a way not cast up = in paths of sin, not ways of righteousness and honor.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Radio Sri Lanka Shortwave Broadcasts in Afghanistan in memory of Gene McNaughton • Staff: George Kopchak • Government Officials: Sec. Timothy Geithner (Dept. of theTreasury) and Rep. Louis Gohmert (TX) • Country: Armenia (3.8 million) southwest Transcaucasia between Europe and Asia • Major languages: Armenian and Russian • Religious freedom • 78.5% Armenian Apostolic Church; 3.3% Muslim; .05% Protestant; 17:7 Atheist/Agnostic • Prayer Suggestion: Intercede in prayer for your friends (Job) 42:7-10).
Optional Reading: 2 Peter 3
Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 10:32
