PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Jeremiah 35-36
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Perhaps when they hear about every disaster I plan to inflict on them…”
“They will each turn from their wicked ways…”
“Then I will forgive their wickedness and their sin.” (Jeremiah 36:3)
The first sentence sounds like a threat: God will inflict disaster on them.
It may sound this way, but in the context we see this is NOT what God wants.
God is not just oppressively demanding obedience, and angry at disobedience.
It is their wicked ways – greed, lust, abuse, rape, injustice, deception, etc.
God is angry at the hurtful ways they are living, angry for the victims that are hurt.
But again and again God patiently comes to them, hoping they will change.
“Do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?” (Romans 2:4)
As a Jesus follower I see Jesus as a living love letter from God, an appeal to repent.
Not to cower before God in abject fear, but to embrace and imitate God’s loving ways.
Jesus shows us what God’s love looks like, and pleads with us to receive it.
God wants to bless everyone with love, but will we turn to receive it… or burn it?
PRAYER
Lord, you came as a living love letter, and the people then ‘burned’ you too. Thank you for coming back in kindness, and for still giving us the opportunity to come back to God.
An example: “the descendants of Jehonadab son of Rekab have carried out the command their forefather gave them, but these people have not obeyed me.’ This example and the written scroll that Jehoiakim king of Judah burned up – were a material witness to the words of prophecy given by God through Jeremiah – yet they were ignored – words written that were burned up. Jehonadab and his family were blessed for their obedience but Jehoiakim and his family would suffer the consequences. I too must be obedient and follow the Lord’s leading – so that I might live and serve and be blessed in doing so – through Jesus my Lord and Saviour!
New beginnings.
Time and time again the Lord God comes to His people telling them to return from their evil ways and serve the Lord God. The people, the leaders of the people refused to listen and went after their own desires of the heart. Yet God, my God is a covenant God Who desires the people to serve Him. Time and time again He comes to His people, even through Christ Jesus His only Son, to keep His promises to be our God but do the people, do I listen to His voice? Jesus Saviour pilot me.
Jesus, Saviour, pilot me
Over life’s tempestuous sea;
Unknown waves before me roll,
Hiding rock and treach’rous shoal.
Chart and compass come from Thee.
Saviour, pilot me.