Prayer: Father, may I learn from the example of Jeremiah Your prophetic ways. Amen.
Reading: Jeremiah 43 key: vs. 1-2 “But when Jeremiah had made an end of telling all the people all the words of Adonai their God—all these words for which Adonai their God had sent him to them— then Azariah son of Hoshaiah, Johanan son of Kareah, and all the insolent men responded, saying to Jeremiah: “You are telling a lie! Adonai our God has not sent you to say. ‘You must not go to Egypt to sojourn there.’ TLV
Attention: It is not an easy life being a messenger of Adonai. Whether a prophet, priest, or an apostle, each endured beatings and wrath from a people who did not want to hear from God.
If you recall earlier in our study of Jeremiah, God (Adonai) commanded Jeremiah not to marry (Jeremiah 16:1-2). Now we can all see why. I have heard stories about the experiences of missionary and pastor’s children at the hands of those their parents served. The community of faith can be harsh on families.
Today we witness Jeremiah being accused of lying and his prophecies not being of God. So, he travels to Egypt with the Hebrew remnant and at the command of Adonai, he is to “Take some large stones in your hand and hide them in the mortar in the brickwork at the entrance of Pharaoh’s palace in Tahpanhes, in the sight of the men of Judah.”
He then is to tell the Hebrew people the significance of the placement of stones in the mortar of Pharoah’s palace. Adonai is sending king Nebuchadnezzar (Babylon) to the Egypt as a judgement upon Egypt. Babylon will devastate Egypt and burn down the temple centers of Egypt’s gods. What Adonai did hundreds of years earlier demolishing their gods one by one, He will do in one action.
If you are a messenger of Adonai’s, expect pushback. The narrative and actions of a whole culture are not ours to overcome. Speak the message and leave the rest to Adonai.
Action: I choose to listen to the Word of God and the Spirit.
Yield: I choose to submit to the Word of God and the Spirit of God.
Engage: I choose to engage in the relational work of Adonai.
Relationship: I choose to live in obedient relationship with Adonai.
Prayer: Father, thank You for the example of Jeremiah as a messenger of Yours. It was not an easy path. He was beaten, abused, over the course of his time as prophet, and accused of lying. Strengthen those who represent You. Amen.
Memory Verse: Psalm 7:10-11 “Please, end the evil of the wicked and sustain the righteous. A just God examines hearts and minds. My shield is God— Savior of the upright in heart.” TLV
Music Video: Keith Green—Create in Me A Clean Heart
https://youtu.be/lOaNSqscpfE?si=BcYFhgWOJxAddotc
Remember, “Abide in Yeshua, today!”