Jeremiah 21:1-10 "When the siege had begun, Zedekiah sent to ask of Jeremiah respecting the event. In times of distress and danger, men often seek those to counsel and pray for them, whom, at other times, they despise and oppose; but they only seek deliverance from punishment. When professors continue in disobedience, presuming upon outward privileges, let them be told that the Lord will prosper his open enemies against them. As the king and his princes would not surrender, the people are exhorted to do so. No sinner on earth is left without a Refuge, who really desires one; but the way of life is humbling, it requires self-denial, and exposes to difficulties."~Matthew Henry's Commentary
So many people of the world want covenant mercy and promises without covenant faith and faithfulness! In the days of Jeremiah as is the case many times today people want others to pray for them and go to God for them based on the mediators relationship with God rather than their own relationship with God. God is a God of individuals as well as nations. God wants a relationship with us personally.
In times of war food, water and sanitation all become compromised. All of these three God had specific rules, laws and regulations about because he cares for us and wants us to have a good life.
In times of war food, water and sanitation all become compromised. All of these three God had specific rules, laws and regulations about because he cares for us and wants us to have a good life.
Jeremiah 21:8-10 (NASB) "8"You shall also say to this people, 'Thus says the Lord , "Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death. 9 He who dwells in this city will die by the sword and by famine and by pestilence; but he who goes out and falls away to the Chaldean's who are besieging you will live, and he will have his own life as booty. 10 For I have set My face against this city for harm and not for good," declares the Lord . "It will be given into the hand of the king of Babylon and he will burn it with fire."'
This portion of scripture is all about covenant. If you do this then I will do that. This is the wording of a covenant. Deut. 30:15 "I have set before you today life and prosperity or death and adversity" Even covenant Israel had to choose! This is referring to the blessing and cursing (cf. Deuteronomy 27-28). Remember the choice is set in a covenant of grace. This is very similar to Wisdom Literature's idiom of the "two ways" (cf. Pro. 4:10-19; Jer. 21:8; Matt. 7:13-14). Our choices show who we are! How we respond to life's inexplicable "in and outs" reveals our spiritual orientation!
This portion of scripture is all about covenant. If you do this then I will do that. This is the wording of a covenant. Deut. 30:15 "I have set before you today life and prosperity or death and adversity" Even covenant Israel had to choose! This is referring to the blessing and cursing (cf. Deuteronomy 27-28). Remember the choice is set in a covenant of grace. This is very similar to Wisdom Literature's idiom of the "two ways" (cf. Pro. 4:10-19; Jer. 21:8; Matt. 7:13-14). Our choices show who we are! How we respond to life's inexplicable "in and outs" reveals our spiritual orientation!
Action step: Make good choices today. Start by doing one thing when you get up that you know is the right thing to do. Changing one thing can be the catalyst to chain your life.
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