Instruction
Scripture: Jeremiah11:18-20
Jeremiah’s ministry was filled with struggles, tears, and
danger. He had been called to warn God’s people that their sin would lead to
their destruction – and his ministry lasted long enough to see that happen when
the Babylonians took Jerusalem and burned the Temple. This reading is a prayer
of Jeremiah’s in response to the news that the people in his own town wanted to
kill him because of the message of God’s judgement that he proclaimed. It is
written in a way that shows Jeremiah’s inability to protect himself and his
reliance on God to save him. The text stands as a reminder that when God’s
people faithfully proclaim God’s Word there will people who oppose them;
sometimes violently. When that happens God’s people place their trust in Him
knowing that He will judge and exact vengeance to protect them.
Teaching
Jeremiah was in a bad position. God had called him to warn
his own people that the curses that God had told Israel were the consequences
for breaking His covenant were about to fall upon them. It was not that God
hadn’t been patient, but the people persisted in their sin and had rejected
God’s will for their lives. Such behavior always leads to the same sad final
destination: judgement.
The people did not want to hear what Jeremiah prophesied to
them: what God said through Jeremiah. Their choice to respond through violence
was nothing new. Many prophets had died at the hands of God’s people. Nor is
their response gone, as God’s people still often suffer for speaking the truth
and testifying to God’s Word. Jeremiah’s example to us when we find ourselves
in this place is to put our trust in God and to call out to Him to rescue us.
Life
Have you ever been blindsided by an angry response after
you’ve told someone what you believe on a given topic? It sometimes happens
when people speak about God’s will for our sexuality, spirituality, or
worldview. Have you ever shied away from speaking about God – even talking
about His love and forgiveness – because you were afraid that the person would
be offended? It is in times like those that we can take comfort with Jeremiah
that God protects His people. It is not us they are rejecting, but God –
although that still hurts.
God’s enemies are real. We should be aware of that. But
remember that God gave Jesus to die for His enemies, to save us (for we were
once God’s enemies, too!), and to reconcile us to Himself.
Prayer
This prayer is written
in the themes of Confession, Petition, and Instruction.
Lord God of hosts, we confess that we were once Your
enemies. You have reconciled us to Yourself through Jesus’ blood, but we still
resist Your Word in our lives sometimes, and we grow angry at those who
confront us with Your Word when we sin. Forgive us, for Jesus’ sake, and
cleanse us again.
Grant Your protection to all who speak Your truth, and give
all Your people courage to remain steadfast in faith even at the risk of our
bodily safety.
You teach us that You deliver Your servants. We are Your
servants. You will deliver us. Amen.
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