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.