In today's passage, we see the fruit of disobedience, both from the Israelites and those nations that surrounded them. In actuality, despite God's revelations to them, the Israelites did little to distinguish themselves from these other nations.
HARRASSMENT BEFORE THE EXILE. After Jehoiakim foolishly decided to rebel against Nebuchadnezzar, the neighboring powers around Judah come to harrass, in fulfillment of prophecy:
"The LORD sent Babylonian, Aramean, Moabite and Ammonite raiders against him. He sent them to destroy Judah, in accordance with the word of the LORD proclaimed by his servants the prophets. Surely these things happened to Judah according to the LORD's command, in order to remove them from his presence because of the sins of Manasseh and all he had done, including the shedding of innocent blood. For he had filled Jerusalem with innocent blood, and the LORD was not willing to forgive."
THE OTHER NATIONS. The surrounding nations receive words of judgment from Jeremiah, who chides them for many of the same sins that Israel had flaunted. In Moab, God points out that "you trust in your deeds and your riches" and that the nation's "overweening pride and conceit" would draw the coming judgment. At the time of judgment, the nation would find its wealth gone and its cities destroyed. Ammon's worship of Molech had drawn them away from the living God, and they too trusted in their riches. Although God promises restoration for both Moab and Ammon, their sins would not go unpunished.
About Edom, the Lord throws out the question: "Has their wisdom decayed?" All human wisdom will decay, and Edom will face judgment for its wickedness towards others:
"The terror you inspire
and the pride of your heart have deceived you,
you who live in the clefts of the rocks,
who occupy the heights of the hill.
Though you build your nest as high as the eagle's,
from there I will bring you down,"
declares the LORD.
God speaks of Kedar and Hazor as "a nation at ease,/ which lives in confidence."
These phrases suggest strong parallels with the present-day U.S.; may we trust in God's provision and His character, not in our deeds or our riches.
THE DISGRACE OF DISOBEDIENCE. To conclude today's *upbeat* message, Jeremiah speaks of the coming judgment on Israel because of Jehoiakim:
"God up to Lebanon and cry out,
let your voice be heard in Bashan,
Cry out from Abarim,
for all your allies are crushed.
I warned you when you felt secure,
but you said, 'I will not listen!'
This has been your way from your youth;
you have not obeyed me.
The wind will drive all your shepherds away,
and your allies will go into exile.
Then you will be ashamed and disgraced
because of all your wickedness."
The righteous may stand before God unashamed because their obedience shows their love for God and their desire to honor Him. Jehoiakim -- and, by extension, the unrighteous generally -- face shame and disgrace; their disobedience points to the inward condition of their hearts. Yet, God may display His grace in removing Jehoiakim and his line from power, to free the Israelites from following the footsteps of the spiritually lost. In some way, the Exile will draw people back to God, and, through Daniel and others, His name will be glorified in all the earth.
QUESTIONS
1. What do you see as the results of pride in your life?
2. In what ways do you trust in your riches?
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