Monthly Archives: July 2017

Jeremiah 9

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Jeremiah 9 shows just how much God cares for His people, and the anguish He feels when they go astray, “Oh that my head were waters, and my eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people! … For they are all adulterers, a company of treacherous men”. Later on God says “Behold, I will refine them and test them, for what else can I do?”

God shows the same care and concern for us. He is refining and testing our character, so that we might develop to be more like Him. “let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord”.

Jeremiah 7

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In Jeremiah 7, we read some challenging words that God sent Israel through Jeremiah. Israel had been relying on the physical presence of God’s temple as a means of salvation, while themselves committing all sorts of acts. God’s house had “become a den of robbers”, a place where people “trust in deceptive words”. Israel had refused to hear God’s prophets, “when I spoke to you persistently you did not listen, and when I called you, you did not answer”. As a result, God would cast Israel out of his sight. He specifically told Jeremiah, “do not pray for this people … and do not intercede with me”.

God had given Israel a command when bringing them out of Egypt, “Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people … but they did not obey or incline their ear”. Yet in this sad state, God still offered Israel hope. “For if you truly amend your ways and your deeds … then I will let you dwell in this place, in the land that I gave of old to your fathers forever.”

This same offer of hope extends to us. In Acts 3, Peter told the people “repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out”. If we follow this advice, listening to God, answering when He calls, then we too can inherit the land promised to Israel’s fathers forever.

Jeremiah 4, Matthew 15

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Jeremiah 4 was a warning to Israel of the coming invasion by the Babylonians. Yet even in this late stage, God offers Israel hope. If they were to turn again to Him, then He would not send the Babylonians, instead sending a blessing. Israel were serving idols, their hearts were not dedicated to God. They still had priests and some semblance of religion, but it was not serving God.

Jesus also talks about the heart in Matthew 15. The Pharisees and scribes had “made void the word of God” with their traditions, and Jesus applies the words of Isaiah to them, “this people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me”. Jesus warns the people that “what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person”.

The heart of Israel was unfaithful, from the times of Jeremiah and Isaiah through to the time of Jesus. This is a warning to us as well, to be aware of what is in our heart and ensure it is dedicated to God rather than ourselves.

1 Samuel 25

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In 1 Samuel 25 we read the story of Abigail and Nabal. In this chapter we find one of the most inspirational characters of the Bible; a woman who was in a difficult circumstance yet still faithfully acted in the best interests of her husband. “The woman was discerning and beautiful, but the man was harsh and badly behaved”.

Nabal claims not to know David, despite David being famous throughout Israel for the victory over Goliath. He had married the kings daughter. Nabal’s refusal to acknowledge David or provide food and water for David and his men demonstrates just how badly behaved Nabal was.

Abigail takes responsibility for her husband’s shortcomings, and pleads for David’s mercy. She takes large amounts of food and wine to David and his men, seeking forgiveness for Nabal, and taking responsibility for the way David’s men had been treated. She single-handedly prevented David and his men from slaughtering Nabal and his household.

As such, Abigail is a great example to us all of Paul’s advice in Galatians 6, “bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ”. It wasn’t Abigail’s responsibility to solve this problem, but she recognised the need and did something about it. So we should assist each other in our walk towards the kingdom.

Isaiah 63

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Isaiah 63 reminds us of God’s mercy and love. “I will recount the steadfast love of the Lord, the praises of the Lord, according to all that the Lord has granted us, and the great goodness to the house of Israel that he has granted them according to his compassion, according to the abundance of his steadfast love. For he said, “Surely they are my people, children who will not deal falsely.” And he became their Savior. In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them; in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.”

These words apply to us. We have been called to be God’s children, in a demonstration of His love. We have been redeemed from the power of sin; through the afflictions of our saviour we have hope. 

Isaiah concludes the chapter by praying to God for mercy on Israel for their unfaithfulness. “You, O Lord, are our Father, our Redeemer from of old is your name … We have become like those over whom you have never ruled, like those who are not called by your name.” He prays for God to return to them, “Return for the sake of your servants, the tribes of your heritage”, to look down from heaven and see their affliction. 

We can have confidence that God will hear and have mercy on us, if we seek Him when we are lost, just as Isaiah did on behalf of Israel.

Isaiah 60

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Isaiah 60 describes a time that those who “shine as lights” are longing for; a time when God’s “light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you… nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising”.

There will be many camels bringing gifts, along with “good news, the praises of the Lord.” The gates of Jerusalem will be open night and day, so that people can freely come. “The sons of those who afflicted you shall come bending low to you, and all who despised you shall bow down at your feet; they shall call you the City of the Lord, the Zion of the Holy One of Israel.”

What an incredible change from the world today. A time when the whole world will “know that I, the Lord, am your Savior and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.” This city will be so full of people shining as lights that “The sun shall be no more your light by day, nor for brightness shall the moon give you light”. Let’s shine brightly now, looking forward to a future when all will shine, when “the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your days of mourning shall be ended.”

Isaiah 58

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In Isaiah 58 we read God’s view on false worship. Israel sought God daily, “as if they were a nation that did righteousness and did not forsake the judgment of their God”. They fasted, but for the wrong reasons. They humbled themselves, they kept the sabbath, but it was all a facade.

They had the wrong focus. God says “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?” Rather than outward shows of serving God, He wanted them to take action in showing His love to those in need. If they did this, then God says “your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, ‘Here I am.’”

Let’s take God’s advice, “pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted”. Then “the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.”

Isaiah 56-57

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Isaiah 56 continues the theme of Isaiah 55, “the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord … these I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer … my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples”. There is a response required to this offer to attend God’s house, “Keep justice, and do righteousness, for soon my salvation will come, and my righteousness be revealed. Blessed is the man who does this”.

This glorious future is contrasted with the actions of the Jewish leaders, described as “beasts of the field, come to devour … they are shepherds who have no understanding; they have all turned to their own way”. Bad leadership was often Israel’s downfall, and it’s a lesson to us to make sure we’re leaders who follow God’s way, nourishing and protecting.

Isaiah 57 concludes with hope, “he who takes refuge in me shall possess the land and shall inherit my holy mountain … thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity… I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.” Let’s be revived by our association with our God, developing a contrite and lowly spirit, which is the sacrifice that God desires.