August 14 - Jeremiah 23,24
The main theme of this passage is God's punishment of the prophets and priests of Judah and Israel who did not take care of His people but harmed them, instead. As we read this passage, we can see the passion of God about this subject. It is a very serious matter to God for the ones He has called to lead His people, to take advantage of them and lie to them. He will not let that go unpunished.
He mentions several specific sins of the prophets and priests. They did not feed the people, and they led them to think that everything was fine even though sin was rampant. They gave the people their own vision, instead of giving God's vision. They told them false dreams, which led people away from God. Does all of this sound familiar? It is much like what is going on today, and God hates it just as much today. They were giving people chaff instead of the wheat. (23:28) They were not allowing the powerful Word of God to come through, because they were perverting God's word to deliver their own words. God promised to totally destroy them for this terrible sin. (23:39,40)
In contrast to these false teachers God will send Jesus as King one day to execute justice. (23:5,6) He will lead Israel in the right way. His name will be "The Lord Our Righteousness." In other words He will demonstrate righteousness for the people as He leads them. That is how it should be with God called leaders. They should be examples of righteousness to the people.
Then, in chapter 24 there is the parable of the figs. God was going to throw out the bad figs, because they were completely spoiled. This represented the sinful people of that time. Then, He was going to gather the good figs back to the land and bless them. That was the new generation, who would exalt Him as Lord once again. What category do you fall into today? Are you a worthless fig that will be thrown away or a good fig that God will keep? I hope we can all say that we are good figs, but if I dismiss sin, I am no better than the false prophets of Jeremiah's time.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Jeremiah 25-27.
He mentions several specific sins of the prophets and priests. They did not feed the people, and they led them to think that everything was fine even though sin was rampant. They gave the people their own vision, instead of giving God's vision. They told them false dreams, which led people away from God. Does all of this sound familiar? It is much like what is going on today, and God hates it just as much today. They were giving people chaff instead of the wheat. (23:28) They were not allowing the powerful Word of God to come through, because they were perverting God's word to deliver their own words. God promised to totally destroy them for this terrible sin. (23:39,40)
In contrast to these false teachers God will send Jesus as King one day to execute justice. (23:5,6) He will lead Israel in the right way. His name will be "The Lord Our Righteousness." In other words He will demonstrate righteousness for the people as He leads them. That is how it should be with God called leaders. They should be examples of righteousness to the people.
Then, in chapter 24 there is the parable of the figs. God was going to throw out the bad figs, because they were completely spoiled. This represented the sinful people of that time. Then, He was going to gather the good figs back to the land and bless them. That was the new generation, who would exalt Him as Lord once again. What category do you fall into today? Are you a worthless fig that will be thrown away or a good fig that God will keep? I hope we can all say that we are good figs, but if I dismiss sin, I am no better than the false prophets of Jeremiah's time.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Jeremiah 25-27.