One of the features of the book of Jeremiah is that it periodically reveals what was going on inside him. This is one of those occasions. Remember that Jeremiah has just become aware of people plotting against him. He has also just heard God declare that He will punish the plotters (Jer 11:22,23). Yet Jeremiah asks God why do the wicked prosper and the faithless have an easy time of it.
These people talked enough about the name of the Lord, but their hearts were far from the Lord. Jeremiah feels that he is devoted to the Lord and that the Lord should judge these wicked people pretty quickly.
What is God's answer to this complaint? Jeremiah, you need to toughen up!
Things were not going to get any easier for Jeremiah, the battle had only just begun. This was the easy part! If Jeremiah could not handle these challenges, how would he cope when the going really got tough. Even members of Jeremiah's own family were speaking against him, so he must not trust them. Remember that Jesus warned that there would be times when family members turned against us.
Then God goes on to explain what His purposes are. Judah had forsaken the Lord, therefore He would forsake them. Judgement would come upon the land. There would be the chance for the people to come back if they repented.
So what are we to make of all this in the light of Jeremiah's trials, and what can we learn about how we should react in difficult circumstances? Well, remember the words of Jesus that we should seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, then everything else would be taken care of. Jeremiah was focusing on himself, God was getting him to focus back on the Lord's plan. We need to remember who we are and what we have been called for.
No comments:
Post a Comment