Disobedience Restricts God's Protection and Abundant Provision
Scripture Passage: Jeremiah 44:1-12 (NASB)
1 The word that came to Jeremiah for all the Jews living in the land of Egypt, those who were living in Migdol, Tahpanhes, Memphis, and the land of Pathros, saying, 2 “This is what the Lord of armies, the God of Israel says: ‘You yourselves have seen all the disaster that I have brought on Jerusalem and all the cities of Judah; and behold, this day they are in ruins and no one lives in them, 3 because of their wickedness which they committed to provoke Me to anger by continuing to burn sacrifices and to serve other gods whom they had not known, neither they, you, nor your fathers. 4 Yet I sent you all My servants the prophets again and again, saying, “Oh, do not do this abominable thing which I hate.” 5 But they did not listen or incline their ears to turn from their wickedness, so as not to burn sacrifices to other gods. 6 Therefore My wrath and My anger gushed out and burned in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem, so they have become ruins and a desolation as it is this day. 7 Now then, this is what the Lord God of armies, the God of Israel says: “Why are you doing great harm to yourselves, to eliminate from yourselves man and woman, child and infant from among Judah, leaving yourselves without a remnant, 8 provoking Me to anger with the works of your hands, burning sacrifices to other gods in the land of Egypt where you are entering to reside, so that you may be eliminated and become a curse and a disgrace among all the nations of the earth? 9 Have you forgotten the wickedness of your fathers, the wickedness of the kings of Judah and the wickedness of their wives, your own wickedness and the wickedness of your wives, which they committed in the land of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem? 10 Yet they have not become contrite even to this day, nor have they feared, nor walked in My Law or My statutes, which I placed before you and before your fathers.”’
11 “Therefore this is what the Lord of armies, the God of Israel says: ‘Behold, I am going to set My face against you for a disaster, even to eliminate all Judah. 12 And I will take away the remnant of Judah who have set their minds on entering the land of Egypt to reside there, and they will all meet their end in the land of Egypt; they will fall by the sword or meet their end by famine. From the small to the great, they will die by the sword and famine; and they will become a curse, an object of horror, an imprecation, and a disgrace.
SUMMARY
The Lord declares to His people through Jeremiah that the destructions have come as a result of their consistent disobedience and wickedness in following after other gods. Despite God’s mercy in sending His servants to warn them, they rejected His messages, just like their forefathers, to turn from their sins and return to Him. As a result, God foretells the egregious outcomes of those who have set their hearts on entering Egypt, to reside there- they will fall by the sword or famine and become a disgrace and object of horror.
REFLECTION
Even after being driven out of their own land, the people of Judah were still disobedient. This is a true picture of my heart and my tendencies- to follow after my own desires and pleasures rather than what pleases the Lord. And because my heart can be the so deceptive, I am easily prone to fall and stray away from Him. I am reminded of my desperate need of His saving grace and mercy and that apart from His constant pursuing love, I can not survive. When I choose to disobey God, I cause great harm to myself (vs. 7) and to my relationship with God (vs. 6). My ultimate response needs to start from my heart- from a proud one, to a contrite one and a rebellious attitude, to one that fears God (vs. 10).
APPLICATION
I have been occupied with many “to do lists” that conflict with or takes the place of my time with the Lord. Because I’m not a morning person, I tend to get most of the lists done later in the day. By the time I’m caught up, I’m exhausted and neglect to prioritize my time with God. This habit is causing harm to myself and my relationship with the Lord. Before I make my “to do list”, I will spend time in His word and in prayer- this truly is my “must do list”. I do this because I love and reverence the Lord, out of my own volition and desire.
PRAYER
“I love You Lord...”
But that doesn’t mean much when my actions don’t follow. You desire obedience from me more than sacrifice. I’ve forsaken to seek You first; please forgive me. Thank you that Your anger is but for a moment but Your favor is for life. Thank You for showing me grace over and over again, when I don’t deserve it. I surrender to You my thoughts, actions and habits. Help them to portray obedience of loving You and others around me. I want to seek You first before my day begins; I need You Lord all my days.
In Jesus name, amen.
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