Welcome to Nick Stevens, long-time member at Hope Church as well as Chair of the Hope Church Leadership Team. He will share his reflections on the readings from Jeremiah 1-6.
SCRIPTURE: Jeremiah 6:16-30
OBSERVATION:
(ver 16-19) God is giving the people advice on how to recover from the calamity that they are in “stand in the way …look for the old paths” (the way your godly ancestors lived) ….. but Israel refuses to listen. A comparison, if you like, to a student working on an exam paper ….and the teacher is leaning over the student’s shoulder and telling them where to look for the right answers. But the student refuses the teacher and stubbornly ignores the advice. The impending fate becomes obvious.
(ver 20) sacrifices without obedience mean nothing to God.
(ver 21) when God sets out things for us to trip over, (to get our attention?) you can be sure that you will trip over them ….no chance of avoiding the fall.
(ver 22-23) reference to the invasion by the cruel Babylonians.
(ver 24-26) the people of Israel have heard about and know the reputation of the people from the north.
(ver 27) Jeremiah is sent in by God to give a test report on the condition of the people, like metals being tested for purity in the fire.
(ver 28-30) the result is a terrible test report …..ver 30 rejected by God.
APPLICATION:
When God tests my ways and my actions, do they get stamped rejected by God? Yes, probably every one of them does, but, I do know this too…… that with Jesus, I still get stamped “accepted by God”.
PRAYER:
Lord, I thank you that in spite of my stubborn heart, you still accept me as your child thru Jesus who died on the cross to pay for all my sins.
The wailing prophet is at it again. Jeremiah must have been getting sick of all the doom and gloom he had to preach. First he points out what faithful worship is and their covenental responsibilities. Then he has to speak the judgment that follows covenant breaking. I bet he can not wait to deliver that message of hope that every prophet is called to follow judgment with.
Tony is bang on in his first paragraph, nicely put.
I liked verse 16…..
This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.
But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’
I am not sure what the “original” words are but I am pretty sure of the context.
Earlier in chapter six he calls for the people to flee but this stands in stark contrast to fleeing. STAND, LOOK and ASK are the commands. Deliberate and intentionally seeking for the right path then WALK. Walking is the polar opposite of fleeing. Walking exudes a conifdence and sure footing. When we walk in the paths of the Lord and put our confidence in Him we will find rest for our souls. In the midst of the sieges of our lives we stand at the crossroads. If we intentionally seek the path the Spirit leads us on we will have shalom no matter what is happening around us. God is faithful and keeps his promises.
Remember Cain and Abel’s sacrifices? God does not desire lip service, but service from the heart. The sacrifices given by the people were to appease the actions of the Lord. Their sin was their way of life. As a refiner’s fire is to rid of all the impurities from the gold, all will be dross since there is not one who does what is good. The people have rejected the will of the Lord God and each did what was right in their own eyes.
Lord, have Thine own way. You are the Potter and I am the clay. Purify me like a refiner’s fire so that I am useful and worthy to be of service in Your kingdom, today and always. Let me hear Your voice also today. I am ready to hear and to to do as You want me to. Speak, for Your servant is listening.
Purify my heart
Let me be as gold and precious silver
Purify my heart
Let me be as gold, pure gold
Refiner’s fire
My heart’s one desire
Is to be holy
Set apart for You Lord
I choose to be holy
Set apart for You my Master
Ready to do Your will