July 13, 2023 - Jeremiah 32-34
Nebuchadnezzar was invading, Jeremiah was telling the king not to resist, and King Zedekiah had Jeremiah shut up in prison. Jeremiah's language: “Thus says the Lord . . . The word of the Lord came to me . . . Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel . . .” Never flinching, always bold with a word from the Lord, Jeremiah was indeed a prophet.
Judgment and exile are coming, but that’s not the last word. Rather: “Behold, I will gather them from all the countries to which I drove them in my anger and my wrath an in great indignation. I will bring them back to this place, and I will make them dwell in safety. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God” (32:7,8).
“I have hidden my face from this city because of all their evil. Behold, I will bring to it health and healing . . . I will cleanse them from all the guilt of their sin against me, and I will forgive all the guilt of their sin and rebellion against me. And this city shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and a glory before all the nations of the earth who shall hear of all the good that I do for them” (33:5-6,8-10). Tough love. When I think of our God, I am just so confident in his wisdom, his power, his goodness, and his always doing what is best for his people.
Praise, my soul, the King of heaven;
to his feet your tribute bring.
Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
evermore his praises sing.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Praise the everlasting King!
Praise him for his grace and favor
to his people in distress.
Praise him, still the same as ever,
slow to chide, and swift to bless.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Glorious in his faithfulness! --Henry Francis Lyte (1834)