Listen to Jeremiah 25

Jeremiah 25 tells us very pointedly where we are in the history of Judah and Israel.  It is the 1st year of king Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon coming. The king of the North is coming. Jeremiah 25 also makes it very clear that God’s wrath is now coming. He will discipline His people. Jeremiah tells us very clearly, “for 23 years the word of the Lord has come to me and I have spoken it time and time again but you would not obey.” 

He announced, ‘Turn, each of you, from your evil way of life and from your evil deeds. Live in the land the Lord gave to you and your ancestors long ago and forever.

Jeremiah 25:5

Can we not see how long suffering our God is? 23 years!

He does not wish that anyone would perish but that they would come to know the Lord!

I can not imagine how difficult those 23 years were on Jeremiah. To be the one to speak the word of the Lord while no one paid attention. While they mocked him, beat him, and set traps for him.

Chapter 25 also points to the fact that the Day of the Lord is coming! He is coming with His vengeance and wrath against all sin. He did then and is coming! “The LORD brings a case against the nations. He enters into judgment with all people. As for the wicked, he hands them over to the sword—this is the LORD’s declaration” (v.31).

Remember when you were a kid and got in trouble for doing that thing your parents told you not to do. Some kids are disciplined quickly, some are warned then disciplined, some are warned and not disciplined, and some are left to themselves. The Lord is not like human parenting with all its inconsistencies. He is clear, gives plenty of warning, gives ample time to repent and return. His warning of wrath is a cry of love to return to Him.

Imagine what Judah and Israel’s history could have been if they returned to the Lord. We will never know but we certainly have their example to learn from. Turn your heart today to the Lord.

Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sarry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your name. Amen.

-from the BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER

But he was pierced because of our rebellion, crushed because of our iniquities; punishment for our peace was on him, and we are healed by his wounds. But he was pierced because of our rebellion, crushed because of our iniquities; punishment for our peace was on him, and we are healed by his wounds.

ISAIAH 53:5

Thanks for Listening,

Starla