Jeremiah 2-3

Forgive me please. We are in the process of packing & moving, so the things I wanted to share about Jeremiah’s two visions are packed away in a box of books.

For now, let’s look at chapters 2-3. Here, the Lord has a lot to say to Israel, and it is not a positive message. It is a harsh rebuke. After the rebuke, an invitation.

For a summary statement see 2:19 and 2:28 and 2:35

Jeremiah 1

I know I’m going to have to read much faster if I plan to stay on track with the one year reading plan. This chapter, however, sets the tone for the rest of the book.

Jeremiah grew up just three miles north of Jerusalem, as the son of a priest. He was actually the son of Hilkiah, the priest who found the book of the law during the reign of King Josiah. As a result of the founding, King Josiah called for drastic reforms. Jeremiah saw all of this, and was likely encouraged to follow in his father’s footsteps, dedicating his life to service in the temple. But in chapter 1, we learn the Lord has other plans for Jeremiah.

Jeremiah is called to service for the Lord, but it is of a much different sort than his priestly father. Jeremiah is called to be a prophet to the nations. A prophet is not loved by the people like a priest is. And a prophet must speak words that are not easy to to accept. God tells Jeremiah not to worry about his age, or what he will say, or where he will go, for all of that is in the Lord’s hands.

Then the Lord puts out His hand and touches Jeremiah’s mouth. How? I don’t know. But the text says God does this. And with that touch come these words, “Behold, I have put my words in your mouth. See, I have set you this day over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to break down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.”

With that, two visions and a promise from the Lord, Jeremiah is commissioned to his prophetic ministry.

(More on the visions tomorrow.)

 

Introduction to Jeremiah

I’m in it for the long haul. Fifty-two chapters of goodness.

In all actuality, I have never really enjoyed the book. I enjoy studying the character, the person named Jeremiah. But the book itself is disjointed, difficult to read, and lengthy.

This time through I really want to grasp more lessons from the book of Jeremiah. I want to keep learning about the man, but I really want to understand the book. So here it goes…

 

Mark 15

14:61 “But He remained silent and made no answer.”

15:5 “But Jesus made no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed.”

It is truly amazing to see someone face accusations and not try to defend him or herself. It goes against our nature, our human, sinful nature. We want to defend ourselves, to push the blame on someone or something else. We want to be seen as innocent in all men’s eyes. But here, Jesus is innocent. He is innocent and yet He makes no answer to their accusations. He knows they are false. He knows the truth will bear out in the end. He knows His testimony is true and righteous. He doesn’t have to stoop to their level.

Even in the beatings and the reviling, Jesus keeps His mouth shut.

God, help us to follow in His steps, especially considering that we face so much less.

Dying to Live

I want to cry, not sure why

My heart hurts for two

Two that are not

But were at one time

One time when hers was mine.

I know not why

Why the two can’t be

Be what they were meant to be.

Meant to be, what an oddly little phrase

Phrase like I love you,

Love,

What do you mean?

A selfish one? A giving one?

One        +         One

Is that two different loves,

Or is love one tree?

A tree with one trunk

Split

In two

Two growing tall and bearing fruit too?

What is this riddle,

This life that I live

Living and dying

Dying to live

Mark 14

This story of the woman with the perfume has always intrigued me. For one, the act is so far removed from our culture that it is hard for me to imagine. The closest I can think is of a woman giving a man a massage / spa experience at a beauty salon. For two, Jesus’ response intrigues me. He says that every time the Gospel is preached, this woman and her act should be mentioned. I can honestly say I have not done this any time I have presented the Gospel. Very few times have I ever heard it mentioned in any sermon. So I guess we need to get with it when it comes to obeying the Lord.

Another noticeable feature of this chapter: this is the second time the Lord tells the disciples to go into town and find someone else’s stuff to borrow. Last time, it was a colt of a donkey. This time it is a room for Passover. They celebrate Passover, and Jesus ends it with a new twist. He adds that bread represents His body, and the wine represents His blood. He is the Passover Lamb. That is what He’s saying.

I’ve been to the place where all this arrest and trial goes down. It gave me goosebumps. Reading about it still does too.