Read Jeremiah 49
Highlights:
Judgments against Ammon, Edom, Damascus, Kedar, Hazor, Elam, and Babylon foretold; redemption of Israel promised.
Therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will punish the king of Babylon and his land . . . And I will bring Israel again to his habitation . . . and his soul shall be satisfied (Jer. 50,18-19).
Babylon's defeat was foretold to strengthen the Israelites' faith in God and reassure them that He had not forgotten His covenant promise to their forefathers. It was also given to encourage them to return to Jerusalem. Its purpose also was to keep them from participating in Babylon's idol worship.
God is all powerful and will at times do great things to protect His people. God is ruler over nature and nations. He calms the storm (Ps. 107:29; Matt. 8:26; Mark 4:39; Luke 8:24), and can cause nations to fall (Job 12:23; Jer. 25:12-29). God loves His children and offers much to keep them from falling into the traps laid out by the enemy. The Holy Spirit teaches us to make right choices. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual (I Cor. 2:13).
The Word of God is an offensive and defensive weapon in our combat with the enemy. The study and use of His Word will guard our hearts against sin. Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee (Ps. 119:11). The Word of God is our weapon of attack. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (Eph. 6:17). Prayer will move the hand of God on behalf of the believer. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much (James 5:16).
As foretold by the prophets, the Medes and Persians successfully defeated Babylon, and Cyrus urged the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple. Their faith in the prophetic message is symbolic of the backslider who returns to God — freed from the power of sin, and restored to fellowship with Him. We are told there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth (Luke 15:10) when a backslider turns his heart back to Jesus Christ. Anytime one is awakened to the Truth of God's Word, that person has opened a whole new world to themselves. They have been pardoned from hell's eternal prison.
If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed (John 8:36).
Thought for Today:
God is waiting to hear the call of the repentant heart.
Christ Revealed:
As the Redeemer who pleads our cause (Jer. 50:34). Blessed (Praised and extolled and thanked) be the Lord God of Israel; for He hath visited and redeemed His people (Luke 1:68). It is Christ . . . who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us (Rom. 8:34).
Word Studies:
49:1 their king, Ammonite god known as Malcham/Malcam, Milcom, Molech or Moloch, to whom children were sacrificed through fire; 50:5 thitherward, toward it; 50:31 visit, punish.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Staff: Kevin Jennings • Country: Slovenia (2 million) in southeastern Europe • Major languages: Slovenian and Serbo-Croatian • Freedom of religion • 81% Roman Catholic; 1% Muslim • Prayer Suggestion: Pray and thank God for all His blessings (Ps. 68:19).
Optional Reading: Revelation 2
Memory Verse for the Week: Proverbs 3:1-2