The Lord told the people of Israel to mark the way home with rocks and signposts. God would make sure that someday things would be different. God promised that someday He would set the people free and lead them back to their hometowns. He would restore them and their vitality too. Someday He would take care to plant the people firmly in the land and care for them. The time would come when God would make a new agreement with the people of Judah and Israel. He would write His laws on their hearts and minds and he would be their God and they would be His people. No longer would they teach each other about God, rather, they would know God because He would put Himself in their hearts. God who is all powerful will never let Israel stop being a nation. Can heaven be measured or the earth's foundations discovered? If that happens then God would reject the descendants of Israel because of their sins. Not only did God declare that Jerusalem would be rebuilt, but he described a word map of the exact outline it would follow. In 1935, (2500 years later) the prophecy had been fulfilled to the letter. (From a footnote in the Amplified version, Jeremiah 31).
Jeremiah had been put in prison because he told everyone what the Lord had said about Jerusalem being conquered by the king of Babylon and how the king of Judah was going to be taken to Babylon. If the people wanted to fight they would lose. While he was in prison God spoke to him and told him his cousin would be coming to sell him some land and he should buy it. So he did. He paid 17 pieces of silver and had two copies of all the necessary documents drawn up and signed and witnessed. One copy was sealed with wax and the other was left open. He told another man, Baruch, to take the copies and put them in a clay jar to preserve them. Then Jeremiah told the people that the Lord promised they would buy and sell land again in that country. Jeremiah had a question for God. He knew that God could do anything, that He had created everything, and made great plans and had great wisdom. So why when Jerusalem was about to be captured by the Babylonians did God have him buy a field? God told Jeremiah how displeased He was with the people. So just as He brought disaster, He would bring good things. Just as Jeremiah had bought the field, someday the land would be bought and sold again.
Jeremiah was still being held captive in the courtyard of the palace when God spoke to him. He told Jeremiah that things were bad now, but they would be good again and he would hear laughter and happy voices. People would come to the temple again to worship God. Then God told Jeremiah about a wonderful promise He made to the people of Israel and Judah. He promised that in time He would appoint a king from the family of David who would rule with justice. In those days there would be peace. There would always be priests from the tribe of Levi serving at His altar in the temple. Just as God would never break His agreement with day and night to stop obeying His commands, so he would never reject the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, or not have a descendant of David as their king. He would be kind to His people and they would succeed.
Tomorrow read Jeremiah 34-36
20100830
August 30, 2010 Jeremiah 28-31:20
There was a prophet named Hananiah who went up to Jeremiah in the temple in front of everyone and said that God would smash the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar and bring the people back within 2 years. Jeremiah said that he hoped that would happen, but that they would just have to wait and see what the Lord does. Then Hananiah grabbed the yoke and smashed it! Later, after they had left the temple, God told Jeremiah to go to Hananiah with a message: the wooden yoke he had smashed would be replaced with an iron yoke on all the nations and they would have to do whatever Nebuchadnezzar said. And God would even let him rule the wild animals! Also that God had never sent Hananiah to speak for Him. That Hananiah had lied, and that he would die before the year was over. Two months later, Hananiah died.
Jeremiah had been left behind when king Nebuchadnezzar had taken many to Babylon as prisoners, including king Jehoiachin of Judah. Jeremiah wrote a letter to them and sent it by way of two ambassadors of the new king, Zedekiah. In it he related what God had told him about what He wanted them to do in Babylon. He told them to settle there and build houses and plant food and eat it, get married and have children and help them find spouses and so on. God wanted the people of Judah to grow in number. But not to listen to the prophets there with them because they had not been sent by God. After 70 years they would return to Jerusalem, strong and healthy. The people who had been left behind would be tormented with war, hunger and disease until they were useless and left the land.
God told Jeremiah to get a scroll and write down what He said. He told Jeremiah that someday he would bring the people from Judah and Israel back to the land. God told the people that he heard their suffering. They were slaves and they needed to be punished. They would come back to God as servants. God told them not to be afraid, because they belong to Him. Someday they would return. The people would suffer for their sins, but God would protect them from enemies while they healed. God promised them they would come home to Jerusalem and rebuild it. It would be just as it was when the people obeyed God and He protected them. God was furious! He wouldn't calm down until He finished what He had decided to do.
Someday all the tribes would return to God. The Lord would rebuild Israel and once again they would dance for joy and celebrate worshiping God. The Lord would bring the people back from Babylon and everywhere else they were. God would protect His flock as a shepherd. Israel would once again be prosperous and happy. God would bless them with comfort and joy. And not to lose hope because someday the people would return. God told the people they belonged to Him and He would show them mercy.
Tomorrow read Jeremiah 31:21-33:26
Jeremiah had been left behind when king Nebuchadnezzar had taken many to Babylon as prisoners, including king Jehoiachin of Judah. Jeremiah wrote a letter to them and sent it by way of two ambassadors of the new king, Zedekiah. In it he related what God had told him about what He wanted them to do in Babylon. He told them to settle there and build houses and plant food and eat it, get married and have children and help them find spouses and so on. God wanted the people of Judah to grow in number. But not to listen to the prophets there with them because they had not been sent by God. After 70 years they would return to Jerusalem, strong and healthy. The people who had been left behind would be tormented with war, hunger and disease until they were useless and left the land.
God told Jeremiah to get a scroll and write down what He said. He told Jeremiah that someday he would bring the people from Judah and Israel back to the land. God told the people that he heard their suffering. They were slaves and they needed to be punished. They would come back to God as servants. God told them not to be afraid, because they belong to Him. Someday they would return. The people would suffer for their sins, but God would protect them from enemies while they healed. God promised them they would come home to Jerusalem and rebuild it. It would be just as it was when the people obeyed God and He protected them. God was furious! He wouldn't calm down until He finished what He had decided to do.
Someday all the tribes would return to God. The Lord would rebuild Israel and once again they would dance for joy and celebrate worshiping God. The Lord would bring the people back from Babylon and everywhere else they were. God would protect His flock as a shepherd. Israel would once again be prosperous and happy. God would bless them with comfort and joy. And not to lose hope because someday the people would return. God told the people they belonged to Him and He would show them mercy.
Tomorrow read Jeremiah 31:21-33:26
20100829
August 29, 2010 Jeremiah 25-27
The Lord told Jeremiah to remind the people what the Lord had been telling them for 23 years. If they stopped worshiping idols and worshiped God he would take care of them in the land. If not, they would be taken captive to Babylon for 70 years. After that the king of Babylon would be punished and they would be restored into the land. Later God showed Jeremiah a vision. God gave Jeremiah a cup filled with the wine of God's anger. He was to take it and make every nation drink some. In his vision, Jeremiah took the cup to all the nations on the earth beginning with Judah and ending with Babylon. Disaster was coming and so many of the people would die that their bodies would cover the ground like manure. The Lord would also punish the leaders.
God told Jeremiah to go to the courtyard of the temple and speak to the people who had traveled from all over Judah to be there. He was to tell them that if they stopped sinning, the Lord would change his mind and not punish them. The people were warned that if they didn't start obeying God right away, He would destroy the temple. The people got mad at Jeremiah and shouted that he should die! Jeremiah told them that if they killed him, they would be killing an innocent man since he was just saying what the Lord told him to say. They decided they didn't need to kill Jeremiah. Some other leaders from other towns reminded them about Micah and the things he had said. They reminded them that they let Micah live and those people had listened and the Lord didn't destroy Jerusalem even though he said he would. So if Jeremiah were killed that would bring a terrible disaster on Judah. Ahikam, an improtant man spoke up for Jeremiah as well, so they didn't kill him.
Not long after Zedekiah became king of Judah the Lord told Jeremiah to make a yoke of wood with leather straps and put it on his neck. Then go and give the kings gathered to meet with Zedekiah a message. Jeremiah did as he was told. The message for the kings was that God had decided it would be Nebuchadnezzar in charge of all the nations. In fact, they would all be his slaves! After his grandson became ruler, many nations would join together and become powerful enough to make slaves of the Babylonians. The yoke represented the power of king Nebuchadnezzar, and the Lord would destroy any nation which refused to obey him. So now the choice was obey Nebuchadnezzar or die. Jeremiah told them that all the furnishings in the temple would be taken to Babylon until God decided otherwise.
Tomorrow read Jeremiah 28-31:20
God told Jeremiah to go to the courtyard of the temple and speak to the people who had traveled from all over Judah to be there. He was to tell them that if they stopped sinning, the Lord would change his mind and not punish them. The people were warned that if they didn't start obeying God right away, He would destroy the temple. The people got mad at Jeremiah and shouted that he should die! Jeremiah told them that if they killed him, they would be killing an innocent man since he was just saying what the Lord told him to say. They decided they didn't need to kill Jeremiah. Some other leaders from other towns reminded them about Micah and the things he had said. They reminded them that they let Micah live and those people had listened and the Lord didn't destroy Jerusalem even though he said he would. So if Jeremiah were killed that would bring a terrible disaster on Judah. Ahikam, an improtant man spoke up for Jeremiah as well, so they didn't kill him.
Not long after Zedekiah became king of Judah the Lord told Jeremiah to make a yoke of wood with leather straps and put it on his neck. Then go and give the kings gathered to meet with Zedekiah a message. Jeremiah did as he was told. The message for the kings was that God had decided it would be Nebuchadnezzar in charge of all the nations. In fact, they would all be his slaves! After his grandson became ruler, many nations would join together and become powerful enough to make slaves of the Babylonians. The yoke represented the power of king Nebuchadnezzar, and the Lord would destroy any nation which refused to obey him. So now the choice was obey Nebuchadnezzar or die. Jeremiah told them that all the furnishings in the temple would be taken to Babylon until God decided otherwise.
Tomorrow read Jeremiah 28-31:20
20100828
August 28, 2010 Jeremiah 21-24
King Zedekiah of Judah (the last king of Judah in Kings) sent Zephaniah and Pashhur to tell Jeremiah that Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had attacked Judah. They wanted Jeremiah to ask God to work miracles for the people again. God had given Jeremiah His answer to this question in advance, surrender to the Babylonians if you want to live. The Lord warned the king to do his job and take care of the people.
Jeremiah had to go to the palace to tell the king that he wasn't doing his job to protect the widows, orphans and foreigners. He was to rescue everyone who had been treated unjustly. If the king would do this, they would be able to stay in Jerusalem and come and go freely. If not, Jerusalem would be flattened. Then, God mentioned Jehoahaz (who had been taken captive in a foreign country) and that the people were to cry for him. The Lord told king Jehoiakim that he was doomed. He had built his fancy palace with slave labor, and only cared about his possessions. He was always thinking of how to get the upper hand with people and take advantage of anyone who might be useful to him. No one would cry at his funeral. The Lord was very unhappy with Jehoiakim and the evil things he did.
The Lord was not pleased with the way the kings had failed. When the time came to bring the people home, the Lord would choose leaders who would care for the people like real shepherds. Someday He would appoint an honest king from the family of David. His name would be "The Lord Gives Justice". When Jeremiah would think of the unfaithful prophets he would tremble because of the way they had abused their power. The Lord gave Jeremiah a message for those prophets and the ways they sinned. They would be punished. Then the Lord gave the people a message that they should not listen to anything the false prophets were saying because it didn't come from Him. God's words are a powerful fire; they are a hammer that shatters rocks. God knows everything that goes on - you can't hide. The Lord promised to punish those prophets.
After the king Jehoikin of Judah had gone to Babylon, the Lord showed Jeremiah a vision. He saw 2 baskets of figs. One basket was full of good figs, the other full of rotten figs. The Lord asked Jeremiah what he saw. So he told God he saw a basket of good figs and another one of bad figs. The Lord explained that the good figs were the people who had been sent to Babylon. When the time was right, the Lord would bring them back to Jerusalem. The bad figs were king Zedekiah and the people who were left behind. The Lord would strike them with war, hunger and disease until they disappeared.
Tomorrow read Jeremiah 25-27
Jeremiah had to go to the palace to tell the king that he wasn't doing his job to protect the widows, orphans and foreigners. He was to rescue everyone who had been treated unjustly. If the king would do this, they would be able to stay in Jerusalem and come and go freely. If not, Jerusalem would be flattened. Then, God mentioned Jehoahaz (who had been taken captive in a foreign country) and that the people were to cry for him. The Lord told king Jehoiakim that he was doomed. He had built his fancy palace with slave labor, and only cared about his possessions. He was always thinking of how to get the upper hand with people and take advantage of anyone who might be useful to him. No one would cry at his funeral. The Lord was very unhappy with Jehoiakim and the evil things he did.
The Lord was not pleased with the way the kings had failed. When the time came to bring the people home, the Lord would choose leaders who would care for the people like real shepherds. Someday He would appoint an honest king from the family of David. His name would be "The Lord Gives Justice". When Jeremiah would think of the unfaithful prophets he would tremble because of the way they had abused their power. The Lord gave Jeremiah a message for those prophets and the ways they sinned. They would be punished. Then the Lord gave the people a message that they should not listen to anything the false prophets were saying because it didn't come from Him. God's words are a powerful fire; they are a hammer that shatters rocks. God knows everything that goes on - you can't hide. The Lord promised to punish those prophets.
After the king Jehoikin of Judah had gone to Babylon, the Lord showed Jeremiah a vision. He saw 2 baskets of figs. One basket was full of good figs, the other full of rotten figs. The Lord asked Jeremiah what he saw. So he told God he saw a basket of good figs and another one of bad figs. The Lord explained that the good figs were the people who had been sent to Babylon. When the time was right, the Lord would bring them back to Jerusalem. The bad figs were king Zedekiah and the people who were left behind. The Lord would strike them with war, hunger and disease until they disappeared.
Tomorrow read Jeremiah 25-27
20100827
August 27, 2010 Jeremiah 16:10-20:18
The Lord told Jeremiah the people would ask him what they had done wrong, and he was to tell them that they had worshiped other gods and did whatever they felt like doing. So they would be punished. Later, after they had learned their lesson, they would be brought back. Then Jeremiah prayed and asked God for protection.
The Lord told the people of Judah what was going to happen to them and why. The Lord put a curse on those who turn from Him and trust in human strength. He said He would bless people who trust Him. They would be like trees watered by a nearby stream, with leaves that are always green. But the people of Judah were so deceitful that they fooled themselves! Jeremiah prayed for protection. The Lord told Jeremiah to go to all the city gates and remind the people to not do any work on the Sabbath and they would be blessed. If not, they wouldn't like what happens.
The Lord told Jeremiah to go to a pottery shop. So he did. He noticed the potter at his wheel would change his mind and make something else if the clay didn't cooperate. He told Jeremiah to tell the people that as the potter has power over the clay, God had power over them. If God told them that they would be taken captive and they turned from evil, the Lord would change His mind. If God promised to make a nation strong and they turned away from Him, He would change His mind and not help them at all. As it stood they were on death row. It didn't have to be that way. The Lord told them He would change His mind if they stopped sinning. Once again the people thought the quick fix was to kill Jeremiah. So Jeremiah asked God for help.
The Lord told Jeremiah to buy a clay jar and gather the city officials and go to Himmom Valley, tell the people how they have sinned and what their punishment will be and then smash the jar. So he did. Then he was to tell them that they would be like the clay jar - smashed to smithereens. Then Jeremiah went other places and told the people there that the disaster was going to come soon.
The chief of temple security heard what Jeremiah said. He didn't like it so he hit Jeremiah, arrested him, and put him in chains. The next morning he let Jeremiah go, but before he left, Jeremiah had a message for him... The Lord had changed his name to Afraid-of-everything, because he would be afraid of everything and watch his friends and family be taken prisoner to Babylon. It seems the chief of security had been telling lies and telling people they were what God told him. Later Jeremiah complained to the Lord. He felt like the Lord had set him up to bear the brunt of the people's anger about what the Lord wanted him to say. His friends and family wanted to kill him. He knew the Lord would help him, but he was hoping it would happen soon. Then he wished he'd never been born just to suffer and die in shame. If you need to complain, you can give it to God.
Tomorrow read Jeremiah 21-24
The Lord told the people of Judah what was going to happen to them and why. The Lord put a curse on those who turn from Him and trust in human strength. He said He would bless people who trust Him. They would be like trees watered by a nearby stream, with leaves that are always green. But the people of Judah were so deceitful that they fooled themselves! Jeremiah prayed for protection. The Lord told Jeremiah to go to all the city gates and remind the people to not do any work on the Sabbath and they would be blessed. If not, they wouldn't like what happens.
The Lord told Jeremiah to go to a pottery shop. So he did. He noticed the potter at his wheel would change his mind and make something else if the clay didn't cooperate. He told Jeremiah to tell the people that as the potter has power over the clay, God had power over them. If God told them that they would be taken captive and they turned from evil, the Lord would change His mind. If God promised to make a nation strong and they turned away from Him, He would change His mind and not help them at all. As it stood they were on death row. It didn't have to be that way. The Lord told them He would change His mind if they stopped sinning. Once again the people thought the quick fix was to kill Jeremiah. So Jeremiah asked God for help.
The Lord told Jeremiah to buy a clay jar and gather the city officials and go to Himmom Valley, tell the people how they have sinned and what their punishment will be and then smash the jar. So he did. Then he was to tell them that they would be like the clay jar - smashed to smithereens. Then Jeremiah went other places and told the people there that the disaster was going to come soon.
The chief of temple security heard what Jeremiah said. He didn't like it so he hit Jeremiah, arrested him, and put him in chains. The next morning he let Jeremiah go, but before he left, Jeremiah had a message for him... The Lord had changed his name to Afraid-of-everything, because he would be afraid of everything and watch his friends and family be taken prisoner to Babylon. It seems the chief of security had been telling lies and telling people they were what God told him. Later Jeremiah complained to the Lord. He felt like the Lord had set him up to bear the brunt of the people's anger about what the Lord wanted him to say. His friends and family wanted to kill him. He knew the Lord would help him, but he was hoping it would happen soon. Then he wished he'd never been born just to suffer and die in shame. If you need to complain, you can give it to God.
Tomorrow read Jeremiah 21-24
20100826
August 26, 2010 Jeremiah 13-16:9
Linen shorts (or a belt) were what the Lord told Jeremiah to go buy and wear for a while, but not to wash them. So he did. Then the Lord told Jeremiah to take the shorts off and hide them in a crack in a wall by a river. So he did. After a while the Lord told Jeremiah to go get the shorts. So he did. The shorts were rotted and ruined. Then the Lord told Jeremiah that he wanted the people of Judah to represent Him in the world, but they wouldn't follow His teachings. Then He told Jeremiah to tell the people to fill their wineskins. To which they would reply D'uh wineskins are filled with wine... To which Jeremiah was to reply that the people would be drunk. Then they would be smashed like filled wineskins (water balloons) and destroyed. Nothing could stop this. Jeremiah told the people what would happen to them. They would be punished for their sins. All the things they thought they were getting away with would be plainly shown for everyone to see. Their secrets would all be revealed.
After a drought the Lord told Jeremiah to tell the people, weep and try to find water, and there won't be any. The people were distraught, but the Lord couldn't trust them anymore, so He didn't believe them. Jeremiah told the Lord that the prophets were telling the people that they would not suffer sword or famine, but have peace. The Lord told Jeremiah the prophets lied and that they themselves would die by the sword and famine. And also that the people would die the same way and many tears would be shed. The people begged God, we know we're bad, but reward us anyway.
The Lord said that even if Moses and Samuel were standing before Him begging Him to change His mind He wouldn't. The Lord told Jeremiah to tell the people that whatever they were destined for was where they were going. There were 4 destroyers: the sword, the dogs, the birds, and the beasts. This reminds me of Revelation 6:8.
In short, there was no hope for them because they had not changed their ways. The sins of the people had bought them enslavement. Their wealth was a gift for their conquerors. Again the Lord offered them a chance to avoid death and destruction by repenting and serving Him. God wanted to save the people, but they wouldn't let Him.
The Lord told Jeremiah not to marry or have children in Judah because they will die. Also, not to mourn or show sympathy for the dead because He has withdrawn His blessing, love and pity for these people. There will be no comfort or consolation for those that mourn in the land. The celebrations of the people would soon be at an end.
Tomorrow read Jeremiah 16:10-20:18
After a drought the Lord told Jeremiah to tell the people, weep and try to find water, and there won't be any. The people were distraught, but the Lord couldn't trust them anymore, so He didn't believe them. Jeremiah told the Lord that the prophets were telling the people that they would not suffer sword or famine, but have peace. The Lord told Jeremiah the prophets lied and that they themselves would die by the sword and famine. And also that the people would die the same way and many tears would be shed. The people begged God, we know we're bad, but reward us anyway.
The Lord said that even if Moses and Samuel were standing before Him begging Him to change His mind He wouldn't. The Lord told Jeremiah to tell the people that whatever they were destined for was where they were going. There were 4 destroyers: the sword, the dogs, the birds, and the beasts. This reminds me of Revelation 6:8.
In short, there was no hope for them because they had not changed their ways. The sins of the people had bought them enslavement. Their wealth was a gift for their conquerors. Again the Lord offered them a chance to avoid death and destruction by repenting and serving Him. God wanted to save the people, but they wouldn't let Him.
The Lord told Jeremiah not to marry or have children in Judah because they will die. Also, not to mourn or show sympathy for the dead because He has withdrawn His blessing, love and pity for these people. There will be no comfort or consolation for those that mourn in the land. The celebrations of the people would soon be at an end.
Tomorrow read Jeremiah 16:10-20:18
20100825
August 25, 2010 Jeremiah 9-12
Jeremiah mourned for his people so much that he wished his eyes were fountains. He also wished for sanctuary from the evil people. The Lord told Jeremiah that he couldn't trust anyone, even his friends and family. God would purify the hearts of people in fire, he had no other choice. Jeremiah mourned the lost beauty of the land. Jeremiah asked the Lord why it was necessary to make the land desolate. God told him it was because the people disobeyed Him, His laws and teachings. They worshiped other gods like their ancestors. The Lord promised them poison, and to be scattered in foreign countries they'd never heard of. Finally, He would send enemy soldiers to kill them. The Lord told Jeremiah to send for the wailing women - especially the loudest ones. They were to cry about the loss of their homeland. They were to teach the younger ones a mourning song. The dead bodies would lie like garbage on the ground. Then God told Jeremiah what He liked best, He said, don't brag about your wisdom, strength or wealth. If you must brag, have enough sense to brag about worshiping Me, the Lord. God said, "What I like best is showing kindness, justice, and mercy to everyone on earth." (Jeremiah 9:24 CEV) The Lord said someday He would punish other nations of men whose bodies are circumcised, but not their hearts.
The Lord told Jeremiah that an idol is no better than a scarecrow. Why worship a thing that can't help or harm you? Jeremiah praised the Lord as the only true and living God. He created the earth with His wisdom and power. Jeremiah told the people that the time was at hand for them to be forced off their land. Then Jeremiah prayed. He told the Lord that he knew that "we humans are not in control of our own lives." He asked the Lord to correct him, but not in anger because he wouldn't survive. Then he asked God to sweep away the enemies.
The Lord told Jeremiah to explain to the people that they had broken the agreement made by their ancestors and that it hadn't changed in all that time. God did exactly what He promised to do for the people and they turned their backs on Him. So God decided to bring suffering on the people of Judah and Jerusalem. He knew they would beg for His help, but He wouldn't listen to them. God told Jeremiah not to pray for the people because He wouldn't listen anyway. Then the Lord told Jeremiah to tell the people how they had messed up. So of course, the people plotted to kill Jeremiah. Not only did the Lord tell Jeremiah about it, but He made sure that those people suffered and died along with their entire families.
Jeremiah asked God why it appeared that the wicked lived such a comfortable life. They do wrong, but live well. God answered with questions such as, how could Jeremiah compete with horses if racing with people wore him out? How would he survive when things got really bad if such trifles bothered him so much? The Lord was furious with His people and began to hate them. If the nations which conquered Judah and Jerusalem accepted Him as their God, He would be good to them, and they would become His people. If not, they would be destroyed too.
Tomorrow read Jeremiah 13-16:9
The Lord told Jeremiah that an idol is no better than a scarecrow. Why worship a thing that can't help or harm you? Jeremiah praised the Lord as the only true and living God. He created the earth with His wisdom and power. Jeremiah told the people that the time was at hand for them to be forced off their land. Then Jeremiah prayed. He told the Lord that he knew that "we humans are not in control of our own lives." He asked the Lord to correct him, but not in anger because he wouldn't survive. Then he asked God to sweep away the enemies.
The Lord told Jeremiah to explain to the people that they had broken the agreement made by their ancestors and that it hadn't changed in all that time. God did exactly what He promised to do for the people and they turned their backs on Him. So God decided to bring suffering on the people of Judah and Jerusalem. He knew they would beg for His help, but He wouldn't listen to them. God told Jeremiah not to pray for the people because He wouldn't listen anyway. Then the Lord told Jeremiah to tell the people how they had messed up. So of course, the people plotted to kill Jeremiah. Not only did the Lord tell Jeremiah about it, but He made sure that those people suffered and died along with their entire families.
Jeremiah asked God why it appeared that the wicked lived such a comfortable life. They do wrong, but live well. God answered with questions such as, how could Jeremiah compete with horses if racing with people wore him out? How would he survive when things got really bad if such trifles bothered him so much? The Lord was furious with His people and began to hate them. If the nations which conquered Judah and Jerusalem accepted Him as their God, He would be good to them, and they would become His people. If not, they would be destroyed too.
Tomorrow read Jeremiah 13-16:9
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