SCRIPTURE: Jeremiah 27
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
Give them a message for their masters and say, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “Tell this to your masters: With my great power and outstretched arm I made the earth and its people and the animals that are on it, and I give it to anyone I please. [Jeremiah 27:4-5]
The basic message of today’s passage is that God is the Authority and Power behind all authorities and powers.
He directs the affairs of this planet, and of the Universe.
He advises the nations to submit to Babylon, for God has given them a time to rule.
All nations will serve him and his son and his grandson until the time for his land comes; then many nations and great kings will subjugate him. [Jeremiah 27:7]
But they too will one day be punished!
Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above.” [John 19:11]
Pilate is not just a Roman appointed governor, He is a God-appointed leader.
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. [Romans 13:1-2]
Jeremiah says that Babylon was God-appointed; Paul says that Rome is God-appointed.
What does that say about our government in Canada, or in Russia, or in Egypt, or in Haiti, or in China…
The Babylonian and Roman rulers were not kind, just and moral governments, and yet God allowed them to rule for a season, “until the time for (their) land comes…”
Does this say something about how christians ought to live under an unjust government?
Should christians be involved in the underground, should they work to promote rebellion?
Jesus did not work to promote rebellion, He spoke the truth and He demonstrated love and mercy.
He did not play “doormat”, but neither did He encourage rebellion.
How does Jesus call me to live in Canada today to speak truth, to act justly, to demonstrate love?
Bow your neck under the yoke of the ‘king’ of (Canada); serve him and his people, and you will live. [Jeremiah 27:12]
Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s. [Matthew 22:21]
Is this a correct way to apply today’s reading?
PRAYER:
Lord, this is easier to swallow when our government is reasonably just, but I struggle to apply this to an oppressive government. What would You say to people living under Nazi Germany?
Tell this to your masters: 5 With my great power and outstretched arm I made the earth and its people and the animals that are on it, and I give it to anyone I please. 6 Now I will give all your countries into the hands of my servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; I will make even the wild animals subject to him. 7 All nations will serve him and his son and his grandson until the time for his land comes; then many nations and great kings will subjugate him.
This was the word of the Lord. That came to pass. And the Word of the Lord also did say that they would return. The prosperity of God’s people living in their land where He promised would happen again – all in God’s timing. God will bring restoration bot in the meantime, the people will be persecuted and the words of the false prophets will not com to pass.
Whose voice am I listening to? Each day I must live in His presence doing His will for my life. His will be done. Am I in tune? Help me each day Lord to walk on the King’s high Way.
O Master, let me walk with Thee,
In lowly paths of service free;
Tell me Thy secret; help me bear
The strain of toil, the fret of care.
Help me the slow of heart to move
By some clear, winning word of love;
Teach me the wayward feet to stay,
And guide them in the homeward way.
O Master, let me walk with Thee,
Before the taunting Pharisee;
Help me to bear the sting of spite,
The hate of men who hide Thy light.
The sore distrust of souls sincere
Who cannot read Thy judgments clear,
The dullness of the multitude,
Who dimly guess that Thou art good.
Teach me Thy patience; still with Thee
In closer, dearer, company,
In work that keeps faith sweet and strong,
In trust that triumphs over wrong.
In hope that sends a shining ray
Far down the future’s broadening way,
In peace that only Thou canst give,
With Thee, O Master, let me live.