For a full description of the (Y3) reading plan, see the “About” page.
- What attributes of God’s character does this passage reveal?
- How does the passage point to Jesus?
- How should the truth of this passage change me?
- How do the events of today’s reading help you better understand the grand narrative of Scripture?
Jer. 41-43
Obeying God is often hard. At times it requires us to face our fears. This was likely the case with this group of Jews who had gathered around Gedaliah in Mizpah. They thought they had finally found some security in the midst of all the turmoil in the land until Ishmael showed up and further upset their tattered lives. Johanan rescued those people from Ishmael’s clutches, but they were still understandably afraid. They longed for more of that safety and security that they experienced for a fleeting moment.
In their fear, these people tried to do the right thing. They really did. They called Jeremiah, seeking direction from God. However, God’s delay in answering gave them time to really feed on that fear. So by the time God’s answer came, it had a firm grip on their hearts and minds. This is why it is so crucial to fear God above all else. It is only through the firm conviction that nothing is greater than God that we are able to overcome the grip of misplaced fears. Sure, the objects of those fears can make us miserable and do our bodies some serious harm. But it is God who holds our souls, our true lives, and nothing else can touch what He holds. Why sacrifice something eternal for temporary comfort (ask Esau how that works out…)?
The bottom line is that we either trust God or we don’t. If we do, we will give Him our whole heart. And if God truly has our heart, nothing else can take hold of it as fear did with this group of Jews. Is it easy to stare legitimate fear in the face and choose to trust God anyway? No, it isn’t. But it’s a pretty sure bet that God will ask us to do that very thing at various times in our lives. Why? Because it shows who really holds our heart.
Jer. 44
Why does it always seem to be the women who turn to other gods? I realize that men worship other gods as well, but I see a consistent theme throughout the Bible of women leading men astray in this way. It started with Eve. She turned away from God and enticed, albeit quite easily, Adam to do the same. Later, it was Jacob’s beloved Rachel who took her father’s household idols. Solomon’s multiple wives with their foreign gods were his downfall. In fact, God constantly warns His people about this very danger. And we see it again here in Jeremiah. The men were complicit in their wives’ faithlessness.
I don’t believe the Bible stresses this point to say that women are worse than men. That thought isn’t at all consistent with its overall message. However I do think there must be a point in it. I’m not at all sure what it is, but it seems to deserve some thought.
Jer. 45
Now here’s some advice to live by! “But as for you, do you pursue great things for yourself? Stop pursuing! For I am about to bring disaster on all humanity – this is the LORD’s declaration – but I will grant you your life like the spoils of war wherever you go.” (Jer. 45:5). Nothing in this life is worth more than the life God gives us. Nothing! Thus, we do far better to turn away from all this world’s enticements and pursue God with all we’ve got. Maybe God gives us great things here on earth in that pursuit. Maybe He doesn’t. But we can rest assured that He has already given us the greatest thing we could possibly have. We get victory in the war for our souls.