BIBLE CHALLENGE
July 25, 2021
"But Jeremiah responded to all the people – the men, women, and all the people who were answering him – saying, ‘As for the incense you burned in Judah’s cities'..."
Jeremiah 44
“But Jeremiah responded to all the people – the men, women, and all the people who were answering him – saying, ‘As for the incense you burned in Judah’s cities and in Jerusalem’s streets – you, your fathers, your kings, your officials, and the people of the land – did the Lord not remember them? He brought this to mind. The Lord can no longer bear your evil deeds and the detestable acts you have committed, so your land has become a waste, a desolation, and an object of cursing, without inhabitant, as you see today.’” Jeremiah 44:22-23
Today’s dialogue between Jeremiah and the evil, idolatrous remnant of Judah is similar to the apostle Peter’s exhortation to the dispersed Jews (and young-in-the-faith believers) of his time. For instance, Jeremiah preached that God’s patience should not be misconstrued as approval of their idolatry. Furthermore, Peter exhorts that God’s slowness does not mean He will not make true on His promises. Both Jeremiah and Peter send a clear and relevant message to us: Know & obey the Word of the Lord!
“The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to perish, but wants everyone to repent.” 2 Peter 3:9
“‘This will be a sign to you’ – the Lord’s declaration – ‘that I am about to punish you in this place, so you may know that My words of disaster concerning you will certainly come to pass. This is what the Lord says, ‘I am about to hand over Pharaoh Hophra, Egypt’s king, to his enemies, to those who want to take his life, just as I handed over Judah’s King Zedekiah to Babylon’s King Nebuchadnezzar, who was his enemy, the one who wanted to take his life.’” Jeremiah 44:29-30
“But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief. On that Day the heavens will disappear with a roaring sound, the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done on it will be exposed. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, think of the kind of holy and Godly people you ought to be as you look forward to and hasten the coming of the Day of God, when the heavens will be set ablaze and dissolve and the elements will melt with fire.” 2 Peter 3:10-12
“I will punish those living in the land of Egypt just as I punished Jerusalem by sword, famine, and plague. Then a remnant of Judah – those going to live for a while there in the land of Egypt – will have no fugitive or survivor to return to the land of Judah, where they are longing to return to live, for they will not return except for a few refugees.” Jeremiah 44:13-14
“But in keeping with his promise, we are looking forward to new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home. So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to have the Lord find you at peace and without spot or fault.” 2 Peter 3:13-14