Prayer: Father, I have been forewarned through Your prophet and Your word. I acknowledge Your warning to me and all people. Amen.
Reading: Jeremiah 11 key: vs. 3-5 “Now say to them, Thus says Adonai, the God of Israel: “Cursed is the one who does not obey the words of this covenant, which I commanded your forefathers in the day I brought them out of the land of Egypt—out of the iron furnace—saying: ‘Listen to My voice, and do all that I command you. Then you will be My people, and I will be your God. Then I will fulfill the oath which I swore to your fathers, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey, as it is today.’” In response I said, “Amen, Adonai.” TLV
Attention: Being a prophet is a tough thing. Jeremiah is being commanded to share My message which I am giving you, to the people of Anathoth. God (Adonai) begins by giving Jeremiah a history lesson which he has heard many times before, tracing back to the exodus out of “the land of Egypt.” God references Egypt as “the iron furnace.” Why? Their last years in Egypt was a forced labor making bricks, which were baked in furnaces. God emphasizes the covenant relationship with the Hebrew nation, calling them “My people,” and reassuring them “I will be your God.” Adonai addresses His “oath which I swore to your fathers, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey, as it is today.”
However, the people of Anathoth, like the “cities of Judah” and “the streets of Jerusalem,” have “not listened” and broken covenant with Me (God). They have disobeyed and “each one walked in the stubbornness of his evil heart.” Judgement is coming.
Jeremiah is commanded not to pray for the people of Anathoth. Why would this be an especially difficult message to hear? Anathoth is Jeremiah’s hometown.
You may be familiar with the phrase uttered by Yeshua, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown, among his relatives, and in his own house (Mark 6:4).”
The people of Anathoth’s response to Jeremiah’s message from God is recorded in vs. 21, “Therefore thus says Adonai concerning the men of Anathoth who seek your life, saying, “You must not prophesy in the Name of Adonai, so you would not die by our hand.”
The message from God was not only difficult for Jeremiah to tell the people whom he lived among and grew up with about coming judgement, but it was so heavy that they threatened his life.
Another aspect of the gravity of Adonai’s offense by the disobedience of the people of Anathoth, was the command of Jeremiah not to pray for the people of Anathoth. God was not going to relent. Imagine the additional degree of difficulty to forewarn the people Jeremiah loved and lived with and have them turn on him. Jeremiah must have been deeply grieved.
God is deeply grieved by our disobedience too. Life’s greatest choice is to choose Life.
Action: I choose to be obedient to Adonai.
Yield: I choose to submit my life, heart, mind, and soul, to the Sovereign Name above all names, Yeshua.
Engage: I choose to engage with the Ruach Adonai in the Name above all names.
Relationship: I choose to live in obedient, intimate lifestyle with Adonai.
Prayer: Father, I thank You for the example of Jeremiah, who was obedient to You, sharing and documenting the message to the people of Anathoth. He was willing to die for You. Amen.
Memory Verse: Ephesians 4:30-32 “Do not grieve the Ruach ha-Kodesh of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness and rage and anger and quarreling and slander, along with all malice. Instead, be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving each other just as God in Messiah also forgave you.” TLV
Music Video: Instrumental—In Christ Alone https://youtu.be/vxJgtp_9As8?si=3urjUDhVvBNgwxFa
Remember, “Abide in Yeshua, today!”