Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 11-12

This whole section of Israelite history is difficult to study. There is a certain level of discomfort when we study God’s punishment of His people after they have sinned. We want to see our God as merciful and kind, but the revelation of his anger can leave us confused about the grace of God. Yet if we take the time to really study the words of God, we see that He gave His people opportunity after opportunity to change their ways.

The Lord gave another message to Jeremiah. He said, “Remind the people of Judah and Jerusalem about the terms of my covenant with them. Say to them, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: Cursed is anyone who does not obey the terms of my covenant! For I said to your ancestors when I brought them out of the iron-smelting furnace of Egypt, “If you obey me and do whatever I command you, then you will be my people, and I will be your God.” I said this so I could keep my promise to your ancestors to give you a land flowing with milk and honey—the land you live in today.’” – Jeremiah 11:1-5a

I WANTED TO BLESS YOU.

Here the heart of God is revealed. Our Lord invited the people of Judah to realign with the covenant He had made with them. He did this not only so He would not have to punish them, but also so that He could bless them. He desired for them to enjoy the land He had given them, and to live in peace surrounded by His blessings.

“For I solemnly warned your ancestors when I brought them out of Egypt, ‘Obey me!’ I have repeated this warning over and over to this day, but your ancestors did not listen or even pay attention. Instead, they stubbornly followed their own evil desires. And because they refused to obey, I brought upon them all the curses described in this covenant.’” – Jeremiah 11:7-8

BUT YOU CHOSE CURSES INSTEAD OF BLESSINGS.

God gave His people so many chances to turn from their wicked ways and follow Him, but they refused to listen. And God is true to His word — He had told them there would be consequences if they chose to worship idols, and now they were going to experience those consequences, even if it grieved God to have to watch His children suffer.

It sounds a lot like parenting, doesn’t it? It is not fun to punish our children for their misbehavior. Even if they quickly apologize when they see they are about to experience the consequences of their words or actions, taking away the punishment would not be helpful to the child. They must be taught a lesson in order to learn what is appropriate and what is not. Parents who do not punish their children are not doing their kids a favor, but rather a disfavor.

When we punish our children, it’s done out of love. When we have an honest conversation with a friend, it is in order to keep the friendship healthy. When we review the performance of an employee, it is to help them learn how to do their job with excellence and set them up for reward. So how is our Heavenly Father’s motive any different from ours?

I CREATED YOU TO THRIVE, DAILY DISPLAYING YOUR LOVE FOR ME AND FOR OTHERS.

I, the Lord, once called them a thriving olive tree, beautiful to see and full of good fruit.
But now I have sent the fury of their enemies to burn them with fire, leaving them charred and broken.
I, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, who planted this olive tree, have ordered it destroyed. For the people of Israel and Judah have done evil, arousing my anger by burning incense to Baal.” – Jeremiah 11:16-17

Jeremiah joined God in grieving the sinful behavior of the people. He was doing what God had called him to do and saying what God had specifically told him to relay, yet this did not make him popular with the people. Instead they plotted to kill him. Jeremiah described himself as a “lamb being led to the slaughter” (11:19). Have you ever felt that way?

I NEVER PROMISED YOU POPULARITY WHEN I ASKED FOR YOUR OBEDIENCE.

It is not fun to have to speak out against the sinful behavior of another person. It can be uncomfortable to stand up and call out a wrong or injustice. Obeying God does not always win us popularity, and leadership is often HARD. Jeremiah cried out to God, asking Him why the wicked are allowed to prosper and some sin seems to go unpunished (12:1). God called Jeremiah out for his impatience:

“If racing against mere men makes you tired,
how will you race against horses?
If you stumble and fall on open ground,
what will you do in the thickets near the Jordan?” – Jeremiah 12:5

Father God, we praise you for your supreme wisdom that knows how to get our attention and when to put us in our place. Help us to trust your plan and to keep our eyes focused on you. Show us ways in which we have strayed from what you are calling us to do or how you require us to live. May you be pleased and glorified by the lives we live. Thank you for your words of encouragement and your reminder to wait patiently on you, persevering even through difficult circumstances. We love you. Amen.