Reading
SAA Notes
This chapter portrays the results of worthless religion. There was no hope for the people of Judah in outward conformity to Biblical worship but inward lawless desires and lifestyles. There was no atonement in the Law that would allow them to escape the calamity they deserved. Jeremiah’s hope was in the LORD that in mercy He would remember His covenant. God’s answer was to send His Son!
SJA Notes
* Mighty God, please open our hearts to hear Your word today.
“Do not spurn us, for your name’s sake; do not dishonor your glorious throne; remember and do not break your covenant with us.”
As with much of God’s word, this can be a hard passage to process through.
God is very angry. His wrath burns.
Towards His people, for their false religion, their hypocrisy (fake worship, hearts far from Him). And towards the church leaders, for their lies, worthless divinations (bad shepherds, seeking self before all else).
Jeremiah does not wilt in the face of God’s anger, although it must have been incredibly difficult to hear these words from the Lord of Hosts, the Creator God.
Instead, Jeremiah throws himself (and prays for the people) on the mercy of our God.
But too, notice, Jeremiah calls on God regarding His covenant.
“… and do not break your covenant with us.”
God is not a meglomaniac, a broken human dictator.
He is the God who is at once JUST and ANGRY AT SIN, alongside being GRACIOUS and MERCIFUL.
God remembered His covenant. God brought honor to His glorious throne. God upheld His Name.
All by sending Himself. God in the person of the Son. Our King Jesus.
Hallelujah, what a God we have!
* Gracious and Merciful Father,
Thank You for giving to us what we do not deserve. Forgiveness for our sin. Your Spirit with us in the _now_. New life and life to the full in the _not yet_.
And thank You for not giving to us what we very much do deserve. Punishment for our sin. Your presence removed. Death and everlasting destruction.
Thank You Lord!
Amen.