LINK: Jeremiah 2
BACKGROUND
Jeremiah's first message begins in chapter two. He paints a vivid picture of how God has provided for the people, yet they have rejected Him.
- First he likens them to an unfaithful wife (vs 1-8).
- Then he shows how they have given up the fountain of living water for broken cisterns (vs 9-13).
- The next picture is that the people whom God freed from slavery in Egypt are putting themselves in bondage again because of their idolatry (vs. 14-19).
- In verse 20, he tells them they are stubborn!
- The next image is of a vine. God planted them as a choice and productive vine, but they have degenerated into something that can't produce fruit (vs. 21).
- They have defiled themselves and can't get themselves clean. They run wild like an animal in heat and have no hope of salvation (vs 22-25).
- They were caught like a thief. They turned their backs on God and worshiped idols when life was going well, and called to God to rescue them when they were in trouble (vs 26-28).
- They have become like children who refuse to listen to their father's correction (vs 29-35).
- Just as they had looked to Egypt for help and were disappointed, so will they be disappointed by trusting in Assyria (vs 36-37).
REFLECTION/APPLICATION
God gave Israel all kinds of blessings. Yet, they spurned those blessings and rejected the God who gave them. Now they would suffer the consequences of their actions.
Likewise, God gives us good. We have the choice of whether to enjoy his blessings or reject them and face the consequences of that choice - his continued blessing or his wrath. I think I'll choose God's blessing! He has made me his child, it is my blessing to obey him, receive discipline from him, receive his love, receive his mercy, receive the joy he gives, receive his grace, receive his righteousness, the list goes on and on . . .
PRAYER
Lord, like you provided life for Israel, you have provided spiritual life for me. Thank you for choosing to bless me. May I receive your many blessings with humility and grace, so you can do your work in me. In Jesus's name, amen.
1 comment:
"But My people have changed their glory for that which does not profit.... They have forsaken Me,
the fountain of living waters, to hew for themselves cisterns, broken cisterns that can hold no water."
So sad. To trade glory for nothing. To trade a living fountain for a self-made, broken water container. How often are we tempted to do the same thing?
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