Good Morning, Siblings!
Today’s readings are Jeremiah 18-22
Click here to read today’s passages on BibleGateway.
Debbie Ingle is sitting in for me again today, thanks Debbie!
Debbie’s Rabbit Trails
Jeremiah 18
- The Potter’s house is a pretty well-known part of this book (Jeremiah 18:3-6). It really speaks of YHVH’s sovereignty. He is the Potter. Period.
- Another thing that I recall while reading about the Potter is that The Father often uses drama and/or tangible things to teach His people. Recall that Isaiah had to lay naked…Hosea was called to marry a prostitute and give his children prophetic names…Ezekiel was not allowed to mourn for his wife…and here we see Jeremiah working in pottery. I say all of this to point out that YHVH is a creative God. He speaks to His people in ways they can understand. He paints word pictures. If you are wondering if The Father can use your skills for His purposes, be encouraged! We aren’t all scholars, but He has gifted each one according to the work that He has for us to do.
- So tragic…YHVH’s people have forgotten Him. They burn incense to a delusion and stumble in their ways (Jeremiah 18:15).
Jeremiah 19
- Jeremiah is instructed to present a drama before Judah. He is to physically shatter a jar to help them see that they will be shattered.
- Notice in Jeremiah 19:4-5 that YHVH is very clear about his displeasure with Judah for her adultery with other gods. He also addresses something that had been going on that should bring us to our knees. Child sacrifice. Judah had been sacrificing her children to foreign gods. They literally threw their children into the fire. YHVH states that He never commanded it…nor mentioned it…nor did it ever come to His mind (Jeremiah 19:5). In contrast, YHVH redeemed the first born of Israel (Numbers 3:11-13). Children are a gift from YHVH and should be treasured (Psalm 127:3). Is our culture guilty of sacrificing children today? May we each reflect deeply on this.
Rescue those who are being taken away to death;
hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter.
If you say, “Behold, we did not know this,”
does not he who weighs the heart perceive it?
Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it,
and will he not repay man according to his work?
Proverbs 24:11-12
Jeremiah 21
- Let us look back and remember a bit about King Zedekiah. See 2 Kings 24:17-20 and 2 Chron 36:11-13. He was an evil king, but notice that he asks Jeremiah to inquire of YHVH for help against Babylon. Hmmmm….. YHVH does not appreciate that at all. He even vows that He Himself will fight against Zedekiah! (Jeremiah 21:5).
- The message that YHVH gives Jeremiah is for the people to submit to their punishment…submit to being carried away by Babylon. (Jeremiah 21:9). Such a hard pill to swallow!
Jeremiah 22
- The Father has a few things to say about the kings of Judah. One pronouncement He makes has a direct impact on Messiah’s birth. Check out Jeremiah 22:28-30. The royal line was cursed! No man of the seed of Jeconia can ever prosper on the throne of David. This. Is. A. Problem! As, we know that Messiah will rule on the throne of David.
Ever wonder why Jesus HAD to be born of a virgin?
This. Is. It.
This is a wonderful rabbit trail to go down, and this is where it all begins. Should you travel it, you will find that there are 2 different genealogies in Matthew and Luke for Messiah.
They are different.
They are each true.
Here are some things to think about as you trail:
1) YHVH kept His promise to David while upholding the curse on the royal line.
2) Messiah was born of both the seed of David (Mary) and adopted into the royal line of David (Joseph)…and get this…both are equally permanent.
3) The Word of YHVH says that those of us who come to Him are born again and legally adopted in the courts of heaven (John 3:5 / Ephesians 1:5).
This concept of birth and adoption is woven throughout the scriptures. It was not invented by Paul in Romans (Romans 11:11-24) although he did a great job of explaining it.
For example, a mixed multitude went up from Egypt at the time of the Exodus. They were grafted into Israel at its very inception (Exodus 12:38).
So, here is the bottom line: YHVH is an amazing teacher who gives us concrete examples from His Word to help us understand His plans. He even created the circumstances for His Son, Yeshua, to be born of the seed AND of adoption in order to show us that He can save both the seed of Israel and adopt the gentiles of the nations.
“This one will say, ‘I am the LORD’S’; And that one will call on the name of Jacob; And another will write [on] his hand, ‘Belonging to the LORD,’ And will name Israel’s name with honor.
[Isa 44:5 NASB]
Test everything, hold tight to what is good.~ 1 Thess 5:21
We are saved by Grace alone: Obedience is not the root of our salvation, it is the fruit!
May YHWH bless the reading of His Word!