Jeremiah 10:14 – 23:8
Overview
Jeremiah is delivering God’s message to the nation of Judah. God calls the people foolish and senseless because they are taught by worthless wooden idols. They have placed other gods before the Lord. They refuse to listen to the Word of the Lord. Both Israel and Judah have broken the covenant made by their ancestors. God says that the useless pride of Judah and Jerusalem, as well as their stubborn hearts, make them useless to God. The people are threatened by the Lord with captivity in a foreign land. God promises to drive them out of Jerusalem and scatter them. While all of this is taking place, many false prophets are going about spreading lies that are confusing the people. The people are putting their trust in men rather than God. The Lord tells his people to turn from their evil ways. Instead, the people continue with their own ways and don’t change.
Scripture Jeremiah 17:5-9
5 This is what the LORD says:“Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the LORD. 6 That person will be like a bush in the wastelands; they will not see prosperity when it comes. They will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives. 7 “But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. 8 They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”
Observation
This is a very sad and frustrating time for God and His people. The nation of Judah is struggling with their identity. They believe they are “God’s people” but their hearts and actions show otherwise. Rather than relying on God, they are looking for others to tell them what to do and how to live. Their false idols and false prophets are their source of direction and fortitude. The Lord tells them that there is no fruit with these types of people or things. God curses anyone who lives like this. God blesses those who have confidence and trust in Him. This trust will prepare them for difficult times and they won’t have any fear during difficult times like the exile. They will still be able to serve God and be a blessing to others.
Application
We need to have full trust and confidence in God so when difficult times come (and they will) ,we will withstand them. While the world seeks out human solutions, God’s people should seek the Lord in prayer to determine what we should do and how we should respond. Good Christian counsel will also help. With wholehearted trust in our Lord during difficult times, we will be able to maintain our witness to others around us. Rather than caving into the pressures of our worldly problems, we can cling to the hope of our relationship with God and listen to His voice rather than the voice of man.
Prayer
Lord give me the strength to trust you fully in every area of my life. When I experience difficult situations, remind me to seek you.
