The Constant Challenge to Depend on God Alone
Scripture Passage: Jeremiah 34:1-11 (NASB)
1 The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord, when Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and all his army, with all the kingdoms of the earth that were under his control and all the peoples, were fighting against Jerusalem and all its cities, saying, 2 “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel says: ‘Go and speak to Zedekiah king of Judah and say to him, “This is what the Lord says: ‘Behold, I am handing this city over to the king of Babylon, and he will burn it with fire. 3 And as for you, you will not escape from his hand, for you will assuredly be caught and handed over to him; and you will see the king of Babylon eye to eye, and he will speak with you face to face, and you will go to Babylon.’”’ 4 Yet hear the word of the Lord, Zedekiah king of Judah! This is what the Lord says concerning you: ‘You will not die by the sword. 5 You will die in peace; and as spices were burned for your fathers, the former kings who were before you, so they will burn spices for you; and they will mourn for you, crying, “Oh, my lord!”’ For I have spoken the word,” declares the Lord.
6 Then Jeremiah the prophet spoke all these words to Zedekiah king of Judah in Jerusalem 7 when the army of the king of Babylon was fighting against Jerusalem and all the remaining cities of Judah, that is, Lachish and Azekah, for they alone remained as fortified cities among the cities of Judah.
8 The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord after King Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people who were in Jerusalem, to proclaim release to them: 9 that each person was to set his male servant free and each his female servant, a Hebrew man or a Hebrew woman, so that no one would keep them, his Jewish brother or sister, in bondage. 10 And all the officials and all the people obeyed who had entered into the covenant that each person was to set his male servant free and each his female servant, so that no one would keep them in bondage any longer; they obeyed, and set them free. 11 But afterward they turned around and took back the male servants and the female servants whom they had set free, and brought them into subjection as male servants and as female servants.
SUMMARY
God speaks to Jeremiah and tells him that He will hand over the king of Judah over to Babylon. God assures that King Zedekiah will be caught and have to face king Nebuchadnezzar. This is a result of the king breaking a covenant with God and creating social injustice. The Lord commanded that each person was to set his male and female servants free so that no one would keep his Jewish brother or sister in bondage. All the officials and people obeyed, but afterward they turned around and took back all the servants.
REFLECTION
God uses Babylon to bring judgement upon Israel. He allows them to conquer the land of Judah because of their disobedience. As I read how God's people were so selfish that they were willing to disobey and enslave their own brothers and sisters, I was so frustrated at how untrustworthy and unfaithful they were. Then I thought about the things that I have a hard time letting go despite listening to God's word. What are some things I bring back into subjection because I can't trust in God's commands? Like the people of Judah, I need a sense of security through worldly things. Having possessions, indulging, getting validation are some of the things I turn to for comfort and security. Just like how they cannot seem to live without depending on servants, I am always challenged by living in dependence on God alone.
APPLICATION
I've been praying and asking God to help me trust Him in my finances and in my future. It can be hard when I'm faced with paying the bills and looking at what I need to live a comfortable life. Most of the time, I think I understand my situation more than God does, and I decide to handle things my own way. Depending on God makes me feel vulnerable and weak. Instead, I want to depend on Him with a heart that is fully submitted to Him so that I won't turn back in fear.
PRAYER
Dear Heavenly Father,
I believe that you are Lord over my life. You know my needs and care about them. Whatever it is that I am turning to for comfort, I pray that I will find that comfort in you. Help me not live by my own understanding but trust in your leadership over my life. I pray that I will be a faithful servant who is obedient through any circumstance. I thank you for your grace and mercy, and I pray all this in Jesus name. Amen.
Please share your personal meditations on this Scripture passage with the HolyWave community in the comments section below. (We reserve the right to moderate comments.)