Oops, I’ve messed up the reading schedule. There were a few double reading days I missed, so we should be on 1 Timothy. Sorry for the mix up, I will have to double up to catch up.
SCRIPTURE: Jeremiah 52
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
But Nebuzaradan left behind the rest of the poorest people of the land to work the vineyards and fields. [Jeremiah 52:16]
So the poorest of the poor are left behind when the final battle against Jerusalem occurs, left to inherit the vineyards and fields.
The poor and the meek are the ones who escape the judgment and remain to enjoy what is left of the OT kingdom of God (the nation of Israel).
The temple is destroyed, the leaders (prophets, priests, kings) are no more, and all that remains are the little, lowly people.
Sounds a lot like what Jesus predicts…
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. [Matthew 5:3-5]
Its not about being religious, or having a beautiful temple, or being in a position of authority – it is about being humble and right before God.
When the temple in Jesus day once again becomes an idol (a distraction to the focus on God), Jesus predicts its fall.
Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. “Do you see all these things?” he asked. “I tell you the truth, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.” [Matthew 24:1-2]
Again and again God has to remind us about what is really important to Him.
He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. [Micah 6:8]
And again and again we forget what really matters to Him.
Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices–mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law–justice, mercy and faithfulness. [Matthew 23:23]
Are we missing the point again today?
Are we more concerned about building nice churches, or observing our churchy duties, while what really matters to God – humility, justice, mercy, integrity, compassion, generosity, etc. – are trivialized or ignored?
Jeremiah shows us what happens when love for God and neighbour are replaced by hollow and worldly religion.
Like a house of cards, it all comes tumbling down.
And all that remains at the end of the day… are the poor, the meek.
PRAYER:
Lord, show me what really matters, and help me to focus on that.