August	Book	Read From	Read To	Devotional
17th	Jeremiah	Chapter 11	Chapter 14	Protector

Memory Verses

Because the LORD revealed their plot to me, I knew it, for at that time he showed me what they were doing. Jeremiah 11:18

If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan? Jeremiah 12:5

But after I uproot them, I will again have compassion and will bring each of them back to his own inheritance and his own country. Jeremiah 12:15

Hear ye, and give ear; be not proud: for the LORD hath spoken. Jeremiah 13:5

Although our sins testify against us, O LORD, do something for the sake of your name. For our backsliding is great; we have sinned against you. Jeremiah 14:7

Key people

Here is a list of key people found in today’s reading (in order of appearance) with bios from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Jeremiah. Also called the “weeping prophet”. One of the major prophets of the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Old Testament. According to Jewish tradition, Jeremiah authored the Book of Jeremiah, the Books of Kings and the Book of Lamentations, with the assistance and under the editorship of Baruch ben Neriah, his scribe and disciple.

Today’s Devotional Reading: Jeremiah 11 – 14

Jeremiah 11 Amplified Version (AMP)
Jeremiah 12 Amplified Version (AMP)
Jeremiah 13 Amplified Version (AMP)
Jeremiah 14 Amplified Version (AMP)

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Reflection

It is easy to wash our hands of calamity’s children if we think they are hopeless; but is to our shame in so doing. We who are the lamp of hope (that is Christ) are not light for light’s sake but bright for night’s sake; that the world shall be awakened to His SHINE.

If God will not hear the transgressed land – from whose bowels the blood of the innocent cries unto Him, Father, then let the redeemed of  the Lord ask for mercy. For though His spirit be grieved, yet for His name’s sake He will hear His elect. Father, we remit the sins of the nations. Forgive and have mercy. Forgive and have mercy.

Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained. John 20:23

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:16

The prophet Jeremiah gave God the highest possible respect. He was obedient in all things, even when his life was threatened. God instructs us all not to fear what man may do unto us, but to remember that God is able to kill not only the body, but also the soul.

“And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”  Matthew 10:28 KJV (see also Hebrews 13:6)

We do well to remember that God not only asks for obedience, He rewards obedience. Jeremiah made the best possible decision by choosing to repeat in the ears of all the people, exactly what He was instructed to say by God.  Jeremiah was sometimes hated for the words that he spoke.  The people wanted to hear that they would be blessed of God no matter what. It was told them by false prophets, there would be no consequences for their actions.

“13 Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, the prophets say unto them, Ye shall not see the sword, neither shall ye have famine; but I will give you assured peace in this place. 14 Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart.” Jeremiah 14:13-14 KJV

Because of their disobedience, God had promised a curse, not a blessing. But, God did not leave Jeremiah to the will of the people, since Jeremiah understood the value of obedience to God, and chose not to fear the people.

“21 Therefore thus saith the LORD of the men of Anathoth, that seek thy life, saying, Prophesy not in the name of the LORD, that thou die not by our hand: 22 Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, Behold, I will punish them: the young men shall die by the sword; their sons and their daughters shall die by famine: 23 And there shall be no remnant of them: for I will bring evil upon the men of Anathoth, even the year of their visitation.” Jeremiah 11:21-23 KJV

This is a stark example to us as believers. Today, we may call the hard teachings or seemingly rough exhortation of the Holy Spirit through the prophet, pastor, evangelist or other sent messenger of God, something like “tough love.”  But the key word is love. God wants us to know and to understand right from wrong.  He is teaching us all that we should exemplify. If He allows us to continue always without consequence, we will not be able to redeem ourselves. We must be shown the error of our ways in order that we may notice the need for correction, and in so doing, find ourselves in a place of repentance.

The recounting of errors, trials, judgements and covenants between God and the children of Israel found in the Old Testament scriptures are there to remind us of God’s intentions for His people and how we should respond to His will. When we choose obedience as Jeremiah did, we can call upon the omnipotent God to be our shield on every side. We do not need to walk in fear. God is willing to be our protector.

We do need to be careful that we do not allow ourselves to think so often on those who are in opposition to God that we focus on their situation and take our eyes off of Christ. While Jeremiah was undoubtedly anointed by God, there were a few times when he became fed up with the Children of Israel.  It seemed at times that they prospered even though they did not follow God’s commandments.

“Righteous art thou, O LORD, when I plead with thee: yet let me talk with thee of thy judgments: Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? wherefore are all they happy that deal very treacherously? Jeremiah 12:1 KJV

God responds by asking Jeremiah in so many words – Are you already tired, ready to give up the Great Commission?

“5 If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?” Jeremiah 12:5 KJV

God goes on to let Jeremiah know that He is not blind to the works of the disobedient. He is slow to anger.  But they shall get their reward, and that not pleasantly.  And yet if they repent, He is faithful and just to forgive them.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” I John 1:9 KJV

A most troublesome possession for the children of Israel was their prideful hearts. At some point, they came to feel that serving the “Unknown God”  who was both invisible and not directly accessible according to the manner of their traditions (and because Jesus had not yet suffered the cross) – they had to have the go-between representative of a priest or prophet – it became to them somewhat unfashionable. It was much more widely accepted to have a visible, tangible God. That was their downfall, in allowing the mind of the world to whisper in their ears that which they knew to be false; but to create an appearance liked by their non-Israelite peers, they consented to idolatry and other abominations.

“9 Thus saith the LORD, After this manner will I mar the pride of Judah, and the great pride of Jerusalem. 10 This evil people, which refuse to hear my words, which walk in the imagination of their heart, and walk after other gods, to serve them, and to worship them, shall even be as this girdle, which is good for nothing.” Jeremiah 13:9-10 KJV

“Hear ye, and give ear; be not proud: for the LORD hath spoken.” Jeremiah 13:15 KJV

Some may wonder if or how after straying so far from God, a people could actually get back into God’s will. We cannot be too far from God’s house to go home to Him. He is waiting with open arms for us to return to Him.

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References

« The Amplified Bible
« The King James Bible

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Image Source: 365 Seeds of Promise by Shenica Graham.

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