Oh World – We’re In Jeremiah’s Time... Again

SF, Stagecoach, NV

Dear Brothers & Sisters - in Christ or not... God did create the whole world!

     Humans, nations and governments are repeating the exact same mistakes Judah and Israel made throughout the Old Testament (OT).  Why?  It’s the nature of man (flesh) to do it our way.  Whether for self-satisfaction or just plain lack of knowledge as Hosea 4:6 says “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge [Bible]. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; Because you have forgotten the law [today: NT fellowship] of your God, I also will forget your children.” 

     Studying the OT is for us to see the rise or fall of nations and man in God.  Then see how they fell through rebellion and ignorance, then some restored.  God does not tell us only the good, but the bad as well, so we won’t fall into the same traps of the enemy.  As God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow (Hebrews 13:8) so is our enemy's deceit.  The only difference is satan [twerp] can’t create, so he turns, what God did, said and accomplished up-side-down to snare us.  The twerp literally perverts everything of God and re-routes it to become pleasure of the flesh, which re-routes many.

     So I’d like to share with you not the laws of the OT, but the problems and solutions for Christians today, through some of Jeremiah’s background, trials, prophecies and conversations with God and man.

     Background:  Jeremiah was a very young prophet; in fact he was only about 18 years old and they called him "the crying Prophet" [how would you like that nickname?].  And when he mentioned that he was to young to speak God's Words, God simply said don’t worry, I formed you in your mother’s womb, I sanctified you and ordained you to be a prophet unto the nations (Jeremiah 1:5-8).  Isn’t it good to know that when God forms us, He pre-ordains us for specific works?  Not only that, but as we do His work, He’s with us every step of the way, as He was with Jeremiah in approx. 627-586 B.C. [yesterday/year].

     It’s surprising to see almost 2,630 years ago, in Jeremiah’s time their society was deteriorating; spiritually, economically and politically just as the world today.  But we also need to see the same answers Isaiah gave them – Deliverance comes through repentance (Isaiah 30:15).  Today's Salvation, (Luke 24:46) is the hope for tomorrow and strength for each day, all comes from Jesus.  Where as in Jeremiah's OT time they only had the Law of Moses in the first five books of the Bible.  [Never fear reading the OT, because many of the problems they had are in reality put their by God to give us the answers we need today].  Ecclesiastes 1:9 " That which has been is that which will be, And that which has been done is that which will be done.  So there is nothing new under the sun."

      Man measures success by the “things” they have today.  Their motivation comes from their accomplishments in position and materials, not by God.  Not so for Jeremiah.  He was poor when he started and went through trials of; prison, held in a water tank (cistern), taken captive in Egypt, rejected by; family, neighbors, friends, false priests, false prophets and 5 kings – and we think the New Testament (NT) apostles had it rough!  Yet, Jeremiah always delivered God’s message that few listened to.  After reading Jeremiah, I know it wasn’t from God’s lack of trying to warn His people to change their ways.

     Jeremiah is referred to as the “Weeping Prophet” because he knew God’s judgments were just around the corner, so he constantly wept before the Lord to intercede for them.  Jeremiah in his 40 years of ministering; went and spoke what God said, interceded and held many personal conversations with God.  Many of which can help us today.

     Trials:  The people ignored Jeremiah’s words from the Lord and the kings put him in prison.  He was so rejected; I don’t know anyone today who could have dealt with it.  I just know through trying times we can talk to the Lord as Jeremiah did and have our peace restored and be comforted, which is what I believe Jeremiah did.  But the one that would be the hardest to deal with, is when your own brothers and sisters in the Lord turn on you.  So I’m going to tell you what the priests did to Jeremiah as his example and response.  Jeremiah 2:8   “The priests did not say, ‘Where is the Lord?’  And those who handle the law did not know Me; The rulers also transgressed against Me, And the prophets prophesied by Baal And walked after things that did not profit."

     Prophecies: This is only a partial listing of Jeremiah's prophecies,

Jeremiah 23:5 The Messiah would be a descendant of King David - Also in Matthew 1:1, John 7:2 and too many to list.

Jeremiah 25:11-12 Babylon would rule Judah for 70 years  Jeremiah 25:1-11; 29:1-10 & Daniel Chapter 9.

Jeremiah 32:36-37 The Jews would survive Babylonian rule and return home Jeremiah 29:10.

Jeremiah 49:16 Edom would be toppled and humbled.  Daniel 2:32-33.   Edom, is now the southwestern Jordan, between the Dead Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba.

Conversations most relevant between God and man:

Ephesians 4:29 "Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth,... so that it will give grace to those who hear."

Matthew 12:35  "The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure...evil"

Colossians 4:6  "Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person."

Matthew 5:37  "But let your statement be, 'Yes, yes' or 'No, no'; anything beyond these is of evil."

     Got the idea yet, it's your mouth that will cause most of your problems?  Starting fires as James 3:5-7 tells us.  Also Solomon the 2nd wisest man on earth says, in Proverbs 16:27
"A worthless man digs up evil, While his words are like scorching fire." and  Matthew 12:36 "But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment."  We'll all face this one when we see Jesus. Yes, Christians will be forgiven, but the accountability can cause you to loose some of your rewards in Heaven.
     Jeremiah knew, repentance failed when it was shallow (Jeremiah 2:19), much like someone saying the Lord’s Prayer (John 3:16) because Jesus “may” come tonight.  But we know, if there’s no repentance [no confession of sin and a changed heart], then the Holy Spirit is not in them.

     Matthew 7:21-23 "Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness.’…"  Those works were for the OT covenant to receive Salvation.  Our NT covenant, we only need to ask Jesus' forgiveness for our sins, then accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.  Though it is good for you learn about your NEW BEST FRIEND and have a blessed relationship [once you know the Goodness of God] with JESUS.  For His blessings are in ABUNDANCE as we learn to walk and talk as He does.  After all, what we get, is who we follow: [John 10:10 NKJV] "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have [it] more abundantly."  Thanks, but I'll follow Jesus and have LIFE!

Blessings to ALL who read the blogs, the Holy Spirit gives me 4 you.  Also know, I pray for you every night.  See you next Sunday.

Your Servant - Sandy F.