Spiritual Rejection 08.31.08

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Today we will begin our studies on the book of Lamentations, please read Chapters 1-2 in your Bible or Click Here to read. Cut & paste to your browser: biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Lamentations%201-2&version=9

Today we will read and learn about Jeremiah's lamentation over the destruction of Jerusalem. Today's message focuses on the importance of realizing that many will do anything for fortune and fame, often forgetting or even rejecting God, but no one escapes the judgement of God.

The book of Lamentations is the twentififth book of the Old Testament and contains 5 chapters. The author of the book was Jeremiah to the Jews who were captive in Babylon and the purpose of the book was to produce the repentance necessary for spiritual restoration. The book of Lamentations expresses Jeremiah's deep sorrow over his own country who was not listening to his warnings from God of the destruction of Jerusalem and their being placed into captivity. The book teaches us that God is faithful in both judgment and mercy, He corrects and protects us all.

Jeremiah was deeply grieved that the holy city of Jerusalem had been destroyed and tells us why it was. "How doth the city sit solitary, that was full of people! how is she become as a widow! she that was great among the nations, and princess among the provinces, how is she become tributary! She weepeth sore in the night, and her tears are on her cheeks: among all her lovers she hath none to comfort her: all her friends have dealt treacherously with her, they are become her enemies. Judah is gone into captivity because of affliction, and because of great servitude: she dwelleth among the heathen, she findeth no rest: all her persecutors overtook her between the straits.........Her adversaries are the chief, her enemies prosper; for the LORD hath afflicted her for the multitude of her transgressions: her children are gone into captivity before the enemy. " (Lamentations 1:1-3,5). Jeremiah compared the once wealthy, secure, and proud Israelites to a widow who had lost her husband. The loving Lord was the generous Provider and powerful Protector of Israel, but the people had rejected Him. As a widow, Jerusalem was now alone, weeping in the night, with no one to comfort her.

Jeremiah witnessed the destruction and is a type of Christ as he wept over the same city that Jesus wept over six centuries later. "Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar. Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!" (Matthew 23:34-37). Both tragedies are the result of ignoring the Word of God.

Spiritual rejection eventually led the Israelites to lose not only their personal liberty, but also the precious privilege of letting the world know that there is only One True God. They choose to follow and worship their idols which God expects them to reject and turn to Him.

We too have idols that hold us captive and from letting the world know the true Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Idols such as financial security, popularity, and material success keeps us from experiencing the true blessings in store for us. God does not want us to starve or go without the necessities of life, but He does want us to put Him first above all things and not get caught up in the lusts of the world. You can be sure that all who follow the world will be judged by Jesus. "Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences." (II Corinthians 5:9-11).

In today's reading Jesus Christ is revealed through Jeremiah's sorrow over Jerusalem at her fall (Lamentations 1:12-22). Jesus expressed His sorrow over Jerusalem's failure to come to Him before it fell again (Matthew 23:37-38)

Have a great day and be blessed.
God Bless,
Christina

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