Jeremiah 32:1-44 (DB of 28/02/2017)

Tuesday, February 28th 2017

I WILL BRING YOU BACK

key verse: 44

Jeremiah again recites the history of Israel in light of their approaching return. Before receiving blessing, we must receive a history lesson. 

1. Buy a field and sign a contract (1-15)

Nebuchadnezzar has laid seige to Jerusalem. Jeremiah is in prison because he prophesized misfortune to the king and the people. God calls him and says to buy a field from his uncle, signing the deed under the eyes of witnesses. Jeremiah does this, though it's a foolish act, since we don't know if he will still be alive tomorrow or even the day after. Moreover, it seems foolish because invaders will soon conquer the land the deed will no longer be valid. In spite of this, Jeremiah obeys. The deed refers to the covenant. Jeremiah feels that the deed serves to renew the covenant between God and his people, though no more than that for the moment. 

2. The word of the Lord came to him (16-44)

The word of the Lord came to Jeremiah, who spoke first of God's strength through which nothing is impossible and by which He has done wonders. In spite of that, the people did not listen to His word. Since their youth, they have only committed evil, provoking God's anger. They have committed abominations by worshipping Baal on their rooftops. Because they turned their backs to God, He has turned his back and sent them into captivity in Babylon. Yet, at the end of captivity, they repent, since God has put in them a heart of flesh and fear. Thus, God is glad to plant them in the land. He establishes a new eternal covenant. He wants to sign a deed, since our souls are not definitively lost. 

Prayer: Lord, give me the heart and fear so that I confess my sin. Thank you for giving me hope in redemption.

Bottom line: God's deed. 

Jeremiah 31:1-40 (DB of 27/02/2017)

Monday, February 27th 2017

key verse: 3

I LOVE YOU WITH AN ETERNAL LOVE

A praise song rings in all the territory of Israel. After the rain, the sun comes, and after the judgment the joy flares. 

1. I am their God and a Father (1-17)

The Eternal God says to Jeremiah that He will be God for Israel, in spite of their multiple faults and sins. God confesses that he loves Israel with an eternal love. Because of this unchangeable love, God punishes Israel up to the restoration. They will plant in Sion, and the acclamation of joy will spread. They pray, beg and even cry (15), and finally they will be conducted into the country in the torrent of love and peace. God is as a Father who leads his child who has commited sins. The abundant harvest, the spiritual satisfaction, the 

satisfaction of the religious are, inter alia, the fruits of the restoration.

2. I repent (18-40)

Ephraim mourns because they feel guilty but they want to come back. Then they sincerely repent (19). So God's mighty love which comes from the entrails of God for his people rekindles (20). God urges the people to walk on the righteous way (21-25). God who has destroyed and pulled also builds and plants. At this time, everyone will be reponsible for his acts (30). Then, God will form a new alliance with the house of Israel and Judah, not through the law on ston but the law on the heart, the law of love (33). Then all will know God and God will remember them. These laws on the heart will never stop. Who makes the sun shine ? The firmament can't be measured, also God's love for his people is unfathomable. All the localities of the country will be devoted to the Eternal (40).

Prayer: Lord, thank you for being my God and my Father. You also are my shepherd who restores me when I repent. 

Bottom line: His love is eternal, don't doubt it

Jeremiah 30:1-24 (DB du 25/02/2017)

Saturday, February 25th 2017

I WILL RESTORE YOU

key verse: 17

Starting from chapter 30, Jeremiah prophesizes about Israel's restoration. It is a time of joy and glory. The years of trial are ending and new days are coming.

1. I cannot acquit you (1-11)

The Lord not only makes Jeremiah speak, he has him write all the words in a book. Thus, the hope of restoration will flow from generation to generation and not be forgotten. Before the return of the Jews, there were gread labor pains, like a woman giving birth (6). Fear and anguish have seized Jacob, yet he will come out innocent. The surrounding peoples will serve the God of Israel. God promises he will be with them, so there is no reason to tremble. God punished the people, for He is God and he cannot acquit those who are false. He judges them according to his righteousness, but fondamentally, he loves his people. It's what makes them different from others; only, he cannot acquit them. After a period of trials, when the people have repented, he will bring them back (11).

2. I will restore you (12-24)

For a while, Jacob is abandoned and forgotten by others due to its sins, but the Lord's judgement day will certainly arrive. Those who have pillaged will receive back the same. God has decided to restore his people and his will cannot be changed. They will return and be as they were before. Songs of joy will be heard again, princes will come from them, and God will be their God. He does not fall away until his will is accomplished (24).

Prayer: Lord, you punish me because you are God. Yet, I rejoice since it is for my good and so that I would be a part of your people that you have made.

Bottom line: yes, you did not acquit me (11)

Jeremiah 29:1-32 (DB 24/02/2017)

Friday, February 24th 2017

key verse: 13

YOU WILL SEARCH ME WITH ALL YOUR HEART 

There are two letters in this story, the first is from Jeremiah, the second if from Chemayahou.

1. You will search me and you will find me (1-19)

Jeremiah writes a letter and sends it to the deportees of Babylon. He says that the people build their house in Babylon, marrie and multiply. It's important to not make oneself abuse by the false prophets who always predict the imminent liberation. Jeremiah prophesies that God doesn't instantly brink back the people, because it's the time of training and punishment. They must be surrendered to God. When the time comes, after 70 yeards, God will brink back them to Jerusalem. God knows his purpose for his people. God wanted that their heart over time comes back by the repentence. Then, with the humiliated heart, they will invoke and seek God with all their heart, so God make Himself appear. They will find Him. But those who are rested into the holy country will be punished by God through the calamities. 

2. I will take action against him because he is not sent by me (20-32)
The prophets deported, Achab and Sedecias, continue to prophesy against Babylon implanting a false hope in the heart of the people. They will be condemned by the king of Babylon. Their style of life is very corrupted (23). An other prophet, Chemayahou, send the letters in the opposite direction compared with Jeramiah, saying to the rest of Jerusalem to build their house and settled them (28). Sophonia reads the letter but Jemeriah says that God will take action against him and he will suffer the same treatment that Hanania, without take possession of the country. The same sentence is that they aren't sent to prophesy and they inspire a false trust.

Prayer: Lord, make me seek you with all my heart, until that I could enconter You. Make me say only the truth.

Bottom line: seek Him with all your heart

Jeremiah 27:1-22 (DB du 22/02/2017)

Wednesday, 22th February 2017

key verse: 11

GOD JUDGES ALL THE NATIONS WITHOUT DISCTINCTION 

In God there is consideration of person. He judges all the nations including Israel. He judges the wicked and saves the innocent.

1. Jeremiah warnes the nations (1-11)

God says to Jeremiah to make links and bars and send it to the country around. The allies are proud of their coalition. But the time when all the nations will be punished by the empire of Babylon is coming. If they give themselve to the yoke of the king, they will survive. They musn't listen to their false prophets, their soothsayers and their wizards who speak about peace and happiness. They are rebellous and they are not sent by God. Those who give themselves to the yoke of Babylon will be saved. This yoke lastes for a little while because Babylon also will be judged by God (7).

2. Jeremiah warnes Sedecias (12-22)

Jeremiah repeates thes same words to the king of Judah: "give yourself to the yoke of Babylon", "don't listen to the false prophets" who prophesy "the taken objects will be taken back because they will be defeated". They pronounce the falseness because they want to be appreciated by the people. They are flatterers. But Jeremiah says that the objects that rested during the first deportation in God's house will be taken by the ennemy. But that doesn't always last because the time is coming where all the utensils will go up again towards Jerusalem, and God will judge this nation through the powerful men of this world (7).

Prayer: Lord, I believe that in You there is no consideration of person. Help me to fear you listening to your word and not to falseness.

Bottom line: the same sentence and the same warning

Jeremiah 26:1-24 (DB of 21/02/2017)

Tuesday, February 21st 2017

GOD WOULD HAVE CHANGED HIS MIND

key verse: 3

Through today's word, we learn God's heart for his people while he judges them.

1. Maybe they will listen (1-6)

God told Jeremiah to speak all His words, leaving nothing out (Matt.5:18). God hopes that people will listen. Then God will turn away from the punishment he wanted to send. Jeremiah preaches everything, including God's will for later (3,13). On the other hand, God also promises severe consequences for disobedience. He will treat his people like Shiloh, which was destroyed in 1050 BC by the Philistines, though it was inhabited once again in Jeremiah's day.

2. Jeremiah in danger of dying (7-24)

The king, ministers and religious leaders were all after Jeremiah's life, since he was speaking misfortune to the people. They circled him and shouted "death!" Yet, without fear, Jeremiah announced the death sentence of the people, exhorting them to mend their ways and deeds. He is not afraid to preach, and insists that he is truly sent by God. The leaders study history and fall into contradiction, since one prophet (Micah) was saved and another (Uriah) was put to death. The life of a man is in the hands of God, and death does not always equal condemnation. Only the wicked kill the innocent and then go to hell as their actions deserve. Ahikam is sent to protect Jeremiah, since his mission is not yet done. Like Livingston said, "The servant will not die before accomplishing his mission". 

Prayer: help me to mend my life, lest I fall under your judgement. Help me not to fear men, but to preach your all your words.

Bottom line: maybe they will listen

Jeremiah 25:1-38 (DB 20/02/2017)

Monday February 20th, 2017

Key verse: 25:20

THE NATIONS CHASTISED

The rebellious nation of Judah and alla round will be judged by God because of their malice. They drink the glass of the fury of God. 

1. The captivity of Judah (1-14)

During 23 years, God sends the prophets from the morning to speak about the oracle. But the people haven't listened. God says to not make the works with their hand to bow before it. But they haven't listened. So God takes vengeance sending the calamity through the cruel country of the north. The people will be deported by them during 70 years. After this time, God will also judge the country of the north because they also are responsible. 

2. All the nations will be chastised (15-38)

God says to Jeremiah to prophesy God judgment for the nations. The furor of God is compared with a full glass.  Jeremiah takes the glass and make it drink for all the nations: Jerusalem, Egypt, all the west, Edom, Moab, Amon in the south, and Tyr and Sidon near sea, in Arabia and for all the countries of the north. He prophesies "drink, drink". This calamity begins by Judah and Jerusalem because they will be not finded innocent (29). There is no exception. The Eternal God takes all the nations to court. All the wicked nations will be eternally condemned. Everywere their uncovered corpse will haven't sepulture.  A big destruction begins for all the earth. The shepherds are particularly responsible for this calamity (34) and will be dispersed everywere on earth. 

Prayer: Lord, help me to not pratice idolatry which is repulsive to you. Help me to fear you because you judges all the malice of mankind without exception. 

Bottom line: fear the Eternal God who judges the earth 

Jeremiah 23:1-40 (DB 17/02/2017)

Wednesday, February 17th 2017

Woe to shepherds

Key verse: 23:1

The text speaks about the false shepherds of Judah, they are the leaders of souls who abuse their rights and finally receive a deadly sentence. The judgment of God for his bad servants is very severe.

1. The judgment on the shepherds (1-8)

God speaks about the bad shepherd who have dispersed the sheep. The mercenaries don't take care of the sheep but they drive them out. God feels pity for these people driven out by the false shepherds. God promises to gather them together in the sheepfold again. Jesus is the true shepherd established by God and he gives his life for his sheep (Jn 10:11). He is a righteous germ established as the king David. The Eternal God is living because by Him the people will be restored from all the country were they will be dispersed.

2. The judgment on the prophets (9-40)

The country is full of adultery and makes the prophet shiver. But the false prophets are themselves corrupted, so the problem of the country doesn't touch them. Even in the house of God they practice evil by the servants (11), and through them, the corruption spreads on all the country. Preaching peace to those who despise God, they become enemies of God. The anger of God will burst into flame against them. They pretend to attend the council but God doesn't send them. They say: "we had a dream from God" but they make the people forget the divine name of God. They are compared with straw, and those who preach the true message are compared with wheat. The first persons feed the people and the second persons mislead the people. They say "menace of God" ("menace" means burden or oracle), pretending to have sent the message of God, but it is discredited by their injustice. Their influence is very sad.

Prayer: Lord, help me to be a good shepherd according to Jesus Christ. Help me to have the spiritual discernement and your true oracle.

Bottom line: the good sphepherd gives his life for his sheep

Jeremiah 22:1-30

Thursday, February 16^th 2017

GILEAD, LEBANON, A RING ON THE HAND

key verse 6

God now delivers the death sentence to the kings of Israel. He addresses three kings in particular : Shallum, Jehoiakim and Coniah.

1. You are like Gilead to me (1-9)

Before the house of Judah, Jeremiah says that if the king practices justice, people will always pass by his doors, meaning there will aways be kings in this place. Yet, if justice is not practiced, no one will pass by. Their children will be taken away, and no offspring will sit on the throne (30). The people are a precious object, like the balm in Gilead. They are like the cedars of Lebanon, though they will be cut down and burned. This disaster falls because they have abandoned God for idols. Shallum will be sent to Egypt and die there (12).

      2. The cause of destruction (11-18)

The cause of all these calamities is selfishness (17). The king must practice equity, but he cripples the people for his own gain in order to build houses, palaces and gardens. Many kings forget their responsibility and live like misers. Thus, Jehoaikim's grave will be shared with that of a donkey. The cedars of Lebanon, the fat flocks and the oaks of Bashan to the east of the Jordan represent opulence and carefreeness. Yet the moment of pain will strike suddenly.

      3. Land, hear the word of the Lord (29)

He will take away the glory of the last king, Coniah. He will be deported to Babylon. Like taking a signet ring off a finger, God will take off the king and send him to where there is no return. No descendant will rule again (30).

Prayer: Lord, help me to abandon my idols and serve you alone. Help me to listen to your word and love others.

Bottom line: where is the balm in Gilead?

Jeremiah 21:1-14

Wednesday, February 15th, 2017

TWO WAYS BEFORE YOU

First, Jeremiah prophesies the end of Jerusalem. Its ruin comes from two adversaries and above all from the malice of the people. Then God says what the king owes.

1. The people will be handed over (1-10)

The king sends Pashhur to demand the help of God through Jeremiah. In the bad situation of the Babylonian invasion, he hopes in God who is favourable for Jeremiah and his people. Pashur, the incarnation of self-sufficiency, says to Jeremiah to bless him. But the servant must not say what others want to hear but he must say what he receives from God. The vague hope of salvation is inexorably broken by the announcement of Jeremiah. God says that He will give success to the Babylonian (4) and that He himself will fight against them (5). When the people sin, God becomes ennemy of the people. The king, the high priests and the people and all what survive will be deported in Babylon. Following God's will is the way of life, but continuing to obey our own will is the way of death (Dt 30:15-19)

2. King, dispense justice (11-18)

In this part, God speaks to the leaders and the king. One of the king's main activities is to dispense justice. From the morning, he stands up and faithfully works. Then, he and his people will be blessed. But the king doesn't dispense justice oppressing the poor and the destitute. The inhabitants of Jerusalem feel themselves secure as a rock in the plain. They are self-sufficient. But God intervenes against them according to their bad machinations and he lights the fire which devours all the city.

Prayer: Lord help me to overcome self-sufficiency and repent every day, and to pratice God's justice.

Bottom line: choose life not death. Obey God who punishes you.

Jeremiah 18:1-23

Thursday, February 9th, 2017

THE CLAY IN THE POTTER'S HAND

key verse: 6

Today's word is divided into two parts: first, it tells the parable of the potter; second, it speaks about the people's new plot against Jeremiah.

1. The parable of the potter (1-17)

The Lord ordered Jeremiah to rise and go down to the potter's house. There, he makes a mistake and consequently smashes a vase. It was his job to smash it. Israel has forgotten that God is sovereign and acts according to his will. The pot cannot ask the potter why he has done this or that. Yet, the arrogant people refused to accept God's will and insisted on their own. They listened to the counsel of their own evil hearts (12). They did not listen to God or his servants. We must be humble and accept God's sovereignty, even if it doesn't agree with our own will. Every one in Israel follows his own way; thus, disaster is sent. Clay, do you not often put yourself in the potter's place?

2. Give attention to me (18-23)

Adversaries came to take the prophet's life. They say his death means little, since the law will survive anyways. So, Jeremiah cries to God for help. All he had done was to speak in their favor and turn away divine wrath (20). So, why? They menace his life without reason. Jeremiah, facing constant danger from death, cries to God, asking him to avenge him and punish evildoers. 

Prayer: Lord, you are my sovereign. Make me humble so that I accept your will above mine. Save me from my ennemies, and give attention to me each day and each morning.

Bottom line: Accept God as your potter

Jeremiah 16:1-21

Wednesday, February 8th 2017

LORD, MY STRENGTH AND MY STRONGHOLD

In the calamities fallen on the people, Jeremiah doesn't lose God as his support. Moreover, he anticipates a restoration to come.

1. The curses for Israel (1-18)

God says to Jemeriah that he must lead an ascetic life, because the catastrophe rains down on the people. First, he doesn't marry. It's too sad to see the children die before his very eyes. God says to not enter the house of mourning, because Israel is deprived of God's steadfast love and compassion. There will be no consolation neither from God nor from men (7). Mankind has become merciless. God also says to the prophet to not enter the feast's house, because it's too vain to see the voice of mirth and the voice of gladness disappear. The Israelites don't know their sin so they ask for the prophet: why ? Jeremiah gave a lesson of history. It's because of the sin of their fathers, but their own sin is more grave than those of their fathers. God gives them the salary of sin, sending calamity with the fishermen and huntsmen.

2. O lord, my strength and my stronghold (19-21)

Jeremiah sees a vision of return of his people and it's exhilarating. Despite of the catastrophe of the people, the prophet doesn't forget that the Eternal God is his strength, his stronghold, his refuge in the day of trouble (19), his support. The prophet sees the return of his people by the kindness of the living God. And, seeing the restoration of Israel, also the nearing neighbours will come back to God by the repentence of their idolatry (20). God will make them know his might and his power (21).

Prayer: Lord, help me to not follow my stubborness but to listen to your word (12). You are my strength and my stronghold, thank you.

Bottom line: my strength and my support in the day of trouble 

Jeremiah 14:1-22

Monday January 6th 2017

THE DISASTERS WHICH COME FROM GOD

God strikes Israel with natural disasters because of their numerous sins.

1. The dryness makes the people shameful (1-9)

Powerful people send the subordinates to draw water, but they return empty-handed and covered with shame. Ploughmen are ashamed because the earth doesn't give fruits and the animals are exhausted. So all the people of Judah are in mourning. What is the cause ? It's because of the faults and inconstancy of the people (7). The prophet pleads to God that he would save the people because of His name, because God has no reason to become powerless.

2. The judgment of God on his people (10-22)

Jeremiah says that now the Eternal God remembers (pas de "of") their sins and chastises them. He accepts neither their prayers nor their holocaust. The false prophets are particularly bad because without being sent they wrongfully prophesy peace. God will make theim suddently perish and they will have no tomb. The eyes of the prophet dissolve into tears because of the jugment which will fall through the sword, famine and plague (17). Even if the religious walk into the country, they haven't knowledge, which creates a calamity. Before the severity of the judgment, the people confess their sins and those of their fathers (20). All the same, Jeremiah pleads to God that he would bless him, because his glory musn't stay covered because of the malice of his people. Jeremiah, as a spokesperson of his people, says that the people hope in God. This hope has a validity, because God is the Creator of all the things (22).

Prayer: Lord, make me fear you. Glorify your name through me, although I am so fragile and powerless.

Bottom line: the disasters of God 

Jeremiah 13:1-27

Saturday, February 4th 2017

THE PARABLE OF THE BELT

key verse: 1

These words serve to divide those who listen and those who don't. Jesus often said that may he who has ears hear. 

1. The parable of the belt (1-14)

God gave Jeremiah the parable of the belt. More than just giving it, he ordered Jeremiah to practice it. After buying and hiding the belt in rocks for a while, Jeremiah picks it up again, but it is no longer good for anything. Why a belt? A prophet often uses a belt to secure his body. For him, it is a source of divine power. Here, the belt represents God's alliance with his people. In the same way we buckle a belt to our waists, God buckles his people to him. But the Israelites didn't listen and followed their stubborn hearts instead. God said he would judge the pride of his people (9), since their refusal to listen comes from arrogance, and arrogance precedes destruction (14). 

2. The Lord threatens (15-27)

Jeremiah, the crying prophet, exhorts his people again to listen to the word and repent (17). Yet, the people's sins are already too numerous to be ceased, since they have practices wickedness for too long. Like a man cannot change his skin nor a leopard his spots, so a wicked man cannot easily return to good. Paul said to strive for piety (1 Tim. 4:7). We must pursue piety lest evil or bad habits stick to our skin and control us. The tendancy of the spirit is life and the tendancy of the flesh is death (Rom. 8:6). 

Prayer: Lord, make me humble, for you punish the proud. Make me strive more for piety each day.

Bottom line: arrogance precedes destruction

WHY DOES THE WAY OF THE WICKED PROSPER ?

Friday, February 3rd 2017

Jeremiah 12:1-17

Jeremiah 12 speaks about a recurrent theme in the Bible (it's the main subject of Habaquq), which deals with our main questions.

1. Why does the wicked prosper ? (1-4)

God is righteous and no one can object to his works. But the prophet asks: why does the wicked prosper ? The wicked needlessly occupy the country. They are hypocrital because they speak friendly words (2b, 6c) but without the heart. Jeremiah knows that God looks at the heart. Jeremiah is honest before God (3b). The prayer of a righteous person has great power (James 5:17). God even listens to the judgment pronounced by his servant because his heart is righteous. The country will be devastated because of the evil of the inhabitants. The nature moans because of the sin of mankind (Rm 8:22)

2. The answer of God (5-6)

Then God answers Jeremiah. It is not that. God gives difficulties to the righteous for their good. The various adversities create a proven faith for God's glory (1P 1:6,7)

3. God's judgment for the wicked (7-17)

God calls the country a lion which is degenerated into a bird of prey (8,9). The unfaithful shepherds are responsible for this desolation (10; Jn 10:12). The unproductiveness strikes the country. Judah and all his impious neighbours will be chastised. But there is hope among the calamity: if they repent, learn and take a vow before the God of Israel, they will be restored. If not, all will perish.

Prayer: Lord, you are righteous, finally you will judge. Make me persevere and repent before the God of Israel.

Bottom line: don't doubt Him

THERE IS NO ONE LIKE YOU

Wednesday, 1st January 2017

Jeremiah 10:1-25

This text draws a parallel between on one hand the idols and on the other hand the Eternal God.

1. The idols and the Eternal God (1-16)

The Eternal God warns the people to not imitate the lifestyle of the idolatrous nations. They are stupid because they worship those who do nothing to them. They cut trees and and clothe them with gold and they dress the golden trees with clothes which are works of art. But it's vanity and falseness. On the other hand, the Eternal God is eternal and he mightily acts. When he speaks, the earth trembles and there is a tumult of waters. There is only Him that we must fear. He is the inheritance of the tribe of Judah and His name is the Lord of hosts. There is no one like Him, because when all will disappear, Him will remain without ceasing.

2. Correct me, O Lord (17-25)

God makes calamity come on this idolatrous Judah through the invaders of the north. They devastate his tent and break his rigging. Then the (physical and spiritual) shepherds are dispersed and their flock is scattered, because they don't inquire of the Lord (21). So Jeremiah, who represents the people, recognizes that the steps of man don't belong to him. We must abandon our useless self-sufficiency and depend on God. Jeremiah says to God to correct him, but in justice not in his anger (24). The Christian must continually let him correct if he wants to bear fruits (Jn 15:2). Jeremiah prays that God judges the nations who ignore God and the nations which devour Judah (25).

Prayer: Lord, there is no one like you, make me fear you.

Bottom line: there is no one like you (JEM 687)