I am almost done with Jeremiah. The chapters I read the past few days really showed a contrast between several groups of people in Judah. The ten tribes of Israel are long gone and Judah has had a number of visits from Babylon and most of the people have been taken captive. Jeremiah is one of the last prophets during the time of the people going into captivity as well as during that timeframe.
In Jeremiah 34, Zedekiah asks Jeremiah about God’s plans for Judah and himself. Jeremiah said that if Zedekiah would only submit to the king of Babylon and not be afraid, he would live and be safe. And while Zedekiah gave lip service to God, he ultimately became afraid and tried to save his own skin and flee by the back gates. He didn’t get too far. As his punishment, his family and his administration were killed before his eyes, and then he was blinded and taken to Babylon where he was also executed, just as God said.
In the very next chapter Jeremiah was told by God to invite the Rechabites to a meeting in the Temple courts where they were offered jars of wine to drink. They refused, saying that since Jehonadab they have remained abstinent from all alcohol. They were also to always live as nomads in tents, and to not live in a house. This obedience had been going on for a long time. Jehonadab is mentioned in 2 Kings as working alongside Jehu in carrying out God’s directives against Ahab and Jezebel. He established this strict way of living to show his family’s piety and dedication to God. Because of this, God promised they would not be taken by Babylon, and that they would always have descendants to “stand before God.” That’s quite the promise, and quite the contrast with Zedekiah.
Then in the very next chapter (36 if you are keeping track), Jeremiah dictated a prophecy to Baruch concerning Jehoiakim and the people. It was read to the priests in the house of the Lord, who then read it to some of the king’s officials who said this needed read to the king (Jehoiakim). The king was so disinterested and full of himself that as the scroll was read to him, he would cut off the parts that had been read and threw it in the fire. His advisors begged him not to burn the scroll, but he didn’t listen. He thought he was in control and was not concerned with anything God had to say. Jehoiakim did order the execution of Jeremiah and Baruch, but God made sure they were hidden. And God had Jeremiah and Baruch reprint all that was dictated before, as well as more words.
Jerusalem fell completely shortly after this and the poorest of the poor were left to tend the crops and care for the herds. Jeremiah was also honored by Babylon and allowed to go anywhere he deemed fit.
In Jeremiah 42, the commanders of the forces came to Jeremiah and asked him to inquire of God as to what they should do, and where they should go. “Whatever God says, whether we agree or not, we will be obedient,” they said. But they really only wanted God to tell them what they wanted to hear, to which God did not comply. These people had it in their mind that they were to go to Egypt for protection. God said Egypt was going to fall into the hands of Babylon as well, and if they went there, they would also die. Their ultimate answer comes in Jeremiah 44:15-19. I can just hear the insolence in their voices. After accusing Jeremiah and Baruch of lying, they said,
“As for the word that you have spoken to us in the name of the Lord, we will not listen to you. But we will do everything that we have vowed, make offerings to the queen of heaven and pour out drink offerings to her, as we did, both we and our fathers, our kings and our officials, in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem. For then we had plenty of food, and prospered, and saw no disaster. But since we left off making offerings to the queen of heaven and pouring out drink offerings to her, we have lacked everything and have been consumed by the sword and by famine.” And the women said, “When we made offerings to the queen of heaven and poured out drink offerings to her, was it without our husbands’ approval that we made cakes for her bearing her image and poured out drink offerings to her?” (emphasis mine)
This just completely blows me away. I mean, what did they expect from someone they asked to give them what God’s commands were? Why not just go to Egypt? They were going to do what they wanted to do anyway. What they wanted was justification and affirmation from God for their own ideas of what was the right path. This is the ultimate idolatry. We as fallen creatures in a fallen world come up with our own ideas from our own fallen reasoning, then ask God to confirm those ideas and plans so we can feel good about ourselves.
Every time I read this section I am in utter shock at the “in your face” rebellion of the people. But then I wonder how much we all do some of the same things. How much are we being led by God, and how much are we trying to pull God along with our own plans. Even Proverbs talks about the plans of man, but God directs the steps. And this is so hard, because we all want what we want, because we tend to think we know what’s best for ourselves. I know I do.
But I also know one thing for certain, I am one of God’s kids. And He will lovingly discipline me to keep me on the right path. And when I start to stray, He will kick me back into play. Sometimes a little harder than others, which can hurt. But I know my God loves me, and that no matter what happens, I will always be His, and He will always be my God.
It is good to read these stories of old so we can take a look at our own lives and say along with David in Psalm 139,
“Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!”
Amen
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