November 12, 2006 - Jeremiah 51-52 and Hebrews 9
As we finish reading the book of Jeremiah two things are very evident. God was going to redeem Israel by bringing them back to Jerusalem after the exile, and He was going to carry out His vengeance upon Babylon. God is the one who redeems, and He is the one who brings total justice in the end. I pray that all of us will think about these things as we read these passages today.
Jeremiah 51 was written down and taken to Babylon. Then, it was read to those in exile, so they would be assured of God's vengeance on Babylon. (51:59-64) Then, Jeremiah 52 is a summary of the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians. Why does the book end this way? God was trying to show His people His justice. Yes, He had used Babylon to punish them severely, but He had not forsaken them. (51:5) He would restore them to the land, and He would destroy Babylon. He was asking them to trust Him and to act upon His promises by returning to the land in His power. I am sure it seemed very hard to believe that they would return and Babylon would be destroyed, when they heard the words of Jeremiah read to them. However, it was the truth to be believed.
Then, in Hebrews 9 we read more about how Christ secured the new covenant in His blood as I said yesterday. This is again the message that God is the one who redeems. He redeems us to live for Him. (v.14) Then, we must realize that there will be a day of Judgment when He will make sure complete justice is done for each of us. (v.27) Therefore, we are to live for Christ as our Redeemer empowers us to live while looking for the Day of Christ that will come, either when we die or when He comes back again. However, we can be assured it will come, just like the fall of Babylon, because God is the one who brings justice. I pray that all of us are living for Jesus and that we are ready to stand before Him. Let's trust His promises and act upon His commands.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Lamentations 1-2 and Hebrews 10:1-18.
Jeremiah 51 was written down and taken to Babylon. Then, it was read to those in exile, so they would be assured of God's vengeance on Babylon. (51:59-64) Then, Jeremiah 52 is a summary of the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians. Why does the book end this way? God was trying to show His people His justice. Yes, He had used Babylon to punish them severely, but He had not forsaken them. (51:5) He would restore them to the land, and He would destroy Babylon. He was asking them to trust Him and to act upon His promises by returning to the land in His power. I am sure it seemed very hard to believe that they would return and Babylon would be destroyed, when they heard the words of Jeremiah read to them. However, it was the truth to be believed.
Then, in Hebrews 9 we read more about how Christ secured the new covenant in His blood as I said yesterday. This is again the message that God is the one who redeems. He redeems us to live for Him. (v.14) Then, we must realize that there will be a day of Judgment when He will make sure complete justice is done for each of us. (v.27) Therefore, we are to live for Christ as our Redeemer empowers us to live while looking for the Day of Christ that will come, either when we die or when He comes back again. However, we can be assured it will come, just like the fall of Babylon, because God is the one who brings justice. I pray that all of us are living for Jesus and that we are ready to stand before Him. Let's trust His promises and act upon His commands.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Lamentations 1-2 and Hebrews 10:1-18.