Ignoring God 08.26.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Tuesday August 26, 2008 and today we are continuing our studies on the book of Jeremiah. Please read Chapters 37-40 in your Bible or Click Here to read. Cut & Paste to your browser: biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah%2037-40&version=9

Today we will read and learn about Jeremiah imprisioned in a dungeon; the rejection of his counsel; the destruction of Jerusalem; Jeremiah's freedom; and Ishmael's plan to assassiniate Gedliah. Today's message focuses on the importance of realizing that as servants of God, we are required to be faithful even in the face of adversity and that there is only one way to reach salvation.

During the tenth and eleventh year of the evil king Zedekiah's reign the armys of Egypt and Babylon were warring against Judah. Fearful of the consquences, Zedekiah appealed to Jeremiah. "And king Zedekiah the son of Josiah reigned instead of Coniah the son of Jehoiakim, whom Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon made king in the land of Judah. But neither he, nor his servants, nor the people of the land, did hearken unto the words of the LORD, which he spake by the prophet Jeremiah. And Zedekiah the king sent Jehucal the son of Shelemiah and Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest to the prophet Jeremiah, saying, Pray now unto the LORD our God for us." (Jeremiah 37:1-3).

King Zedekiah requested his counsel once before when the king os Babylon's army first approached (Jeremiah 21), but he showed no desire to repent of his evil ways and serve God. His reason for asking the help of God was purely to save himself with no intention of changing his ways or helping his people. God gave Jeremiah this answer for Zedekiah, "Thus shall ye say to the king of Judah, that sent you unto me to enquire of me; Behold, Pharaoh's army, which is come forth to help you, shall return to Egypt into their own land. And the Chaldeans shall come again, and fight against this city, and take it, and burn it with fire. Thus saith the LORD; Deceive not yourselves, saying, The Chaldeans shall surely depart from us: for they shall not depart." (37:7-9).

When the Chaldean army retreated from Jerusalem, the Israelites believed their alliance with Egypt had been successful without the prayers of the prophet. Yet Zedekiah was uneasy and set Jeremiah free from the dungeon. "When Jeremiah was entered into the dungeon, and into the cabins, and Jeremiah had remained there many days; Then Zedekiah the king sent, and took him out: and the king asked him secretly in his house, and said, Is there any word from the LORD? And Jeremiah said, There is: for, said he, thou shalt be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon.......Then Zedekiah the king commanded that they should commit Jeremiah into the court of the prison, and that they should give him daily a piece of bread out of the bakers' street, until all the bread in the city were spent. Thus Jeremiah remained in the court of the prison." (37:16-17,21).

The fortified city of Jerusalem held out for nearly a year and a half and during this time the people suffered the horrors of famine, pestilence, and cannibalism. When Zedekiah finally attempted to escape the city at night, he was captured near Jericho, witnessed his sons being killed, and even had his own eyes ripped out. "And in the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, the ninth day of the month, the city was broken up......But the Chaldeans' army pursued after them, and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho: and when they had taken him, they brought him up to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to Riblah in the land of Hamath, where he gave judgment upon him. Then the king of Babylon slew the sons of Zedekiah in Riblah before his eyes: also the king of Babylon slew all the nobles of Judah. Moreover he put out Zedekiah's eyes, and bound him with chains, to carry him to Babylon." (38:2,5-7). Blinded and suffering, he was taken in chains to Babylon with many regrets, thus fulfilling the prophecies that foretold the details of this horrifying experience.

Zedekiah is an example of the consequences of those who refuse to seek the Lord's forgiveness for their sins. Delusions come upon all who turn from God. Zedekiah trusted in and the requested help of the Egyptians instead of accepting God's messages and repenting.

God's plan of salvation will not be altered for no man's demands nor will any other means of securing His mercy be accepted. There is only one way to salvation and that is by repenting and accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of God who died for your sins. "But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him." (I Thessalonians 5:8-10).

In today's reading Jesus Christ is revealed through Jeremiah, who stood as a faithful witness to the revealed will of God (Jeremiah 38:2-9).

Today's Prayer:
Dear Lord,
Nothing brings peace more than knowing that we are saved from the penalty of sin. It makes us feel safe in a struggling world that continues to search for knowledge from all the wrong sources. We are sound in our outlook when we align our understanding and convictions with Jesus Christ. Thank You, Jesus for being our Saviour and removing our sin for good. In Your mighty name, Jesus....Amen.

Enjoy the rest of your day and be blessed.
God Bless,
Christina

For more information about salvation and to learn how you can know you are saved visit
A Spiritual Guide
aspiritualguide.net/salvation.html