Reading
SAA Notes
The disaster that was Nebuchadnezzar did not fall on the church (Israel) without warning. God warned them time and again. None of us will be able to accuse God: “You didn’t tell us!”
SJA Notes
* Father God, please show us truth today from Your word.
“As Jehudi read three or four columns, the king would cut them off with a knife and throw them into the fire in the fire pot, until the entire scroll was consumed in the fire that was in the fire pot.”
Imagine cutting up God’s word as it was read to you, ripping it to little pieces and throwing it in a fire to be burned to ash.
It is almost as though the king Jehoiakim thought that burning the words on paper made them go away. Almost as though he thought doing that would somehow make them less real, remove their power.
The king seems to be trying to show those around him that he was not afraid.
He should have been!
If we’re honest, there are times we do the same.
We may not physically rip and tear at God’s word – but we ignore it and forget it and think that it’s a bit old-fashioned (especially in some places).
However.
God’s word is not diminished because we reject it.
God’s word become flesh walked this earth as a man, showing us the power of GOD’S WORD – The power of an indestructible life.
If we are finding it hard to understand God’s word or if we are actively rejecting portions of or the whole thing – Today’s passage is an exhortation, a refinement through the fire.
TAKE GOD’S WORD SERIOUSLY! All of it.
* Gracious King and God,
Your word is a light for us. It is our health and strength, food for our souls.
Please help us not to do as Jehoiakim did.
Please help us to face Your word, the truth-mirror, to listen and obey.
Amen.