SCRIPTURE: Jeremiah 49
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
Why do you boast of your valleys, boast of your valleys so fruitful? Unfaithful Daughter Ammon, you trust in your riches and say, ‘Who will attack me?’ [Jeremiah 49:4]
This is what the LORD Almighty says: “Is there no longer wisdom in Teman? Has counsel perished from the prudent? Has their wisdom decayed? [Jeremiah 49:7]
A long chapter, but its message is basically the same throughout – a word of judgment against the proud nations surrounding Israel: ‘your day is coming.’
These verses reveal a boastful arrogance and folly that results from success.
Good crops, abundant crops, strong armies, impressive buildings, these things lead to a foolish arrogance.
They were cruel, unjust, violent, boastful and arrogant, but…
And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”‘ “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ “This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.” [Luke 12:16-21]
Jesus also highlights the foolish arrogance of worldly wealth and success.
He also reveals the real problem – not being rich toward God.
What does this mean?
To be rich toward God is to be rich IN God and TOWARD God.
To be rich IN God is to be full of God, and all that God represents – goodness, love, justice, honesty, generosity, etc.
It is to have the spiritual blessing of the Spirit (the fruit of the Spirit) overflowing in and through us.
To be rich TOWARD God is to love and serve God, to honour God with our lives and obedience, and to demonstrate the God-life towards others.
These nations were not full of God, they were full of themselves; the same with this rich man.
Nor were these nations rich toward God or their neighbours – they despised God and people, and treated them with contempt and cruelty.
This warning still applies today; we need to be rich IN God and TOWARD God.
This warning is especially relevant to us living in worldly wealth and success (especially relative to the rest of the world).
Do we foolishly think that we are secure, trusting in or riches, ignoring the plight of the impoverished all around the world?
Will God note about us that we are rich toward God, or that we trust in our riches?
PRAYER:
Lord, it really is hard for the rich to enter the kingdom. As one of those rich ones, I see how easily and naturally I trust in my money and possessions. Show me how to be rich IN You and TOWARD You!
If God is for us, who can be against us. God’s will will be done. His purpose will come to pass. It is He who reigns. The nations may think they are victorious destroying the land and the people, but God does not forget His own. Might does not make right. Mankind at times thinks that whatever his hand finds to do is his. However, this is God’s world and He will ask for an accounting for what man has done. Have Thine own Way Lord.
One day, in His time, He will make known to all, also those who have gone their own way, that God is in control and His way will come to pass in His time. The land will be purified and all will know that the I AM is the I AM and He is in control. He will make His Way known.
How Great is my God!
All hail the power of Jesus’ Name! Let angels prostrate fall;
Bring forth the royal diadem, and crown Him Lord of all.
Bring forth the royal diadem, and crown Him Lord of all.
Let every tribe and every tongue before Him prostrate fall
And shout in universal song the crownèd Lord of all.
And shout in universal song the crownèd Lord of all.