Judgment Followed by Mercy and Restoration
Scripture Passage: Jeremiah 12:7-17 (NASB)
7 “I have forsaken My house,
I have abandoned My inheritance;
I have handed the beloved of My soul
Over to her enemies.
8 My inheritance has become to Me
Like a lion in the forest;
She has roared against Me;
Therefore I have come to hate her.
9 Is My inheritance like a speckled bird of prey to Me?
Are the birds of prey against her on every side?
Go, gather all the animals of the field,
Bring them to devour!
10 Many shepherds have ruined My vineyard,
They have trampled down My field;
They have made My pleasant field
A desolate wilderness.
11 It has been made a desolation;
Desolate, it mourns before Me;
The whole land has been made desolate,
Because no one takes it to heart.
12 On all the bare heights in the wilderness
Destroyers have come,
For the sword of the Lord is devouring
From one end of the land even to the other;
There is no peace for anyone.
13 They have sown wheat but have harvested thorns,
They have strained themselves to no profit.
So be ashamed of your produce
Because of the fierce anger of the Lord.”
14 This is what the Lord says concerning all My wicked neighbors who do harm to the inheritance with which I have endowed My people Israel: “Behold, I am going to drive them out of their land, and I will drive the house of Judah out from among them. 15 And it will come about that after I have driven them out, I will again have compassion on them; and I will bring them back, each one to his inheritance and each one to his land. 16 Then, if they will really learn the ways of My people, to swear by My name, ‘As the Lord lives,’ just as they taught My people to swear by Baal, they will be built up in the midst of My people. 17 But if they do not listen, then I will drive out that nation, drive it out and destroy it,” declares the Lord.
SUMMARY
The Lord hands His beloved, His inheritance, to her enemies because of her rebellion against the Lord. The enemies have made Israel and Judah desolate. The Lord brings judgment upon the enemies of Israel and Judah as well, there is no peace for them, and they will strain themselves to no profit. The Lord will drive them out of their land and drive the house of Judah out from among them, then the Lord will have compassion on them and bring them back and have them learn the ways of His people and swear by the name of the Lord just as they had taught His people to swear by Baal. If they do not obey, the Lord will drive them out and destroy them.
MEDITATION AND REFLECTION
The Lord explains why He turns over Israel and Judah over to their enemies. The Lord considers them His inheritance and beloved but they were rebellious and hostile to God. God’s beloved people have become like a roaring lion, speckled bird of prey toward God. The Lord turned them over to their enemies so they will return to the Lord. God allowed many enemies to devour His people. However, God brings judgment upon the enemies of His people to bring them to be built up in the midst of His people to learn their way like they were taught to worship Baa by theml. Here is the wonderful plan of the Lord, to not only bring back Israel and Judah back to Him, but also to bring their enemies to God, to worship the one true God.
My daughter had a really bad headache last week and she could not attend school in person. I really sought the help from the Lord, and His will. Through a series of events, we somehow ended up going to the state of Nevada for a few days of rest, and after one night of staying at this resort, singing praises to God and reading the bible together, my daughter was pretty much cured of her headache. We even had a chance to give out some gospel tracts in the casino. Even though I was really worried and scared that something was wrong with my daughter, I know God allowed it to happen to bring us closer to Him. I really prayed earnestly, with fear and trembling, and I know somehow God has a bigger plan to do His will even through all our sufferings and pains.
APPLICATION
I want to be merciful and forgiving like the Lord, give second chances to my beloved families and friends as well as enemies. There are some friends and families that have become distant due to differences in opinions about some social issues, but I will reconcile with them, give them another chance. I will pray and share the gospel to those who do not know Jesus, my neighbors, friends, and relatives who do not yet know Jesus.
PRAYER
Thank You Lord, for Your mercy, and compassion to bring us back to You even if it is through attacks from our enemies. I would like to be merciful and compassionate to reflect Your goodness to others. Please help me to show compassion to my friends as well as my enemies. Help me to bring many people to worship You. In Jesus name I pray, amen.
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