found himself in the mire (literally), he later wrote that neither does God's compassions fail.
Scripture readings for today: Jeremiah 37:1-38:28; Psalm 119:71-80; Proverbs 27:23-27; I Timothy 5:1-25
It is not a promising situation when, "Neither (the king) nor his servants nor the people of the land (give) heed to the words of the Lord" (Jeremiah 37:2). The setting here is in the land of Judah which is under Babylonian rule. Zedekiah the king, son of Josiah, sent the priest to ask Jeremiah the prophet, "Pray now to the Lord our God for us". God warned the king through Jeremiah that Pharoah's army would return to Egypt and that their enemy, the Chaldeans would take Jerusalem, regardless.
Jeremiah was accused of defecting to the Chaldeans, which was not true, and was imprisoned. King Zedekiah sent for him after many days and inquired secretly if there was any word from the Lord (16-17). Jeremiah questioned the king as to why he was put in prison and reminded him that the king's prophets had lied to the king. Jeremiah asked for mercy from the king to be released from the prison lest he die there. Zedekiah made provision for Jeremiah to stay in the court of the prison and to be given a piece of bread daily as long as it was available.
Jeremiah had spoken the word of the Lord advising that those who remained in the city would die and those who went over to the enemy (the Chaldeans) would live. Because of this "the princes" demanded that Jeremiah be killed "for this man does not seek the welfare of this people, but their harm" (38:4). Zedekiah turned Jeremiah over to them and was let down with ropes into a pit. "And in the dungeon there was no water, but mire. So Jeremiah sank in the mire" (v.6). One man went to bat for Jeremiah and he was rescued from the well. (Zedekiah demonstrates little stability as a person or leader and evidently just does whatever anyone thinks is a good idea.) "And Jeremiah remained in the court of the prison" (v. 13).
Zedekiah promises not to have Jeremiah killed nor turn him over to those seeking his life. Jeremiah advises him that in order to save himself, his family, and the city, Zedekiah must surrender to the king of Babylon's princes (v. 17). Jeremiah says to him, "Please, obey the voice of the Lord which I speak to you. So it shall be well with you, and your soul shall live" (v. 20). If the king did otherwise, he would be responsible for the bad outcome for Jerusalem, "And you shall cause this city to be burned with fire" (v. 23). Jeremiah kept his word to the king and did not reveal to the princes what he had told Jeremiah and no one had overheard their conversation. "Now Jeremiah remained in the court of the prison until the day that Jerusalem was taken. And he was there when Jerusalem was taken" (v. 28).
Jeremiah suffered as the prophet of God. Psalm 119:71, "It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes". Then, in verse 75, "I know, O Lord, that Your judgments are right, and that in faithfulness You have afflicted me". Dr. Stanley reminds us that, "Trials come no matter who you are or what you do. Suffering molds, prepares, and perfects us in a variety of ways. . . Suffering beyond our control proves to us that we are not omnipotent. . . Only through His grace can we learn the truth concerning suffering: God uses it to help us experience His immense love".
Our reading in Proverbs 27, reminds us of the importance of diligence, that attending to things is required because, "For riches are not forever, nor does a crown endure to all generations" (v. 24). The writer paints a beautiful picture of provision that comes from being diligent throughout the growing season. God understands the importance of working and providing for our household and desires that we also understand this. The principle of diligence can be applied to anything we undertake.
Jeremiah is known as "the weeping prophet". His heart was broken over the state of his nation and God's coming judgment. His prophecies were ignored, he was persecuted, he was put into prison, yet his relationship with God sustained him. We will later read Jeremiah's words in Lamentations (the 2nd book of the Bible written by him), "This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Thy faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in Him" (Lamentations 3:21-24). Amazing words from a man who suffered trials and persecutions over a period of approximately forty years for speaking the words of God.
I Timothy 5, begins with Paul's exhortation to Timothy, a young pastor, regarding the premise for relationships with those in the church. "Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, with all purity". Treating those in our congregation with respect as we would treat our beloved family members defuses feelings of superiority, jealousy, and impatience with them, and is certainly applicable for us today. (I have found that when I am driving and get behind someone who is holding me up, that I can have a lot more patience with them and don't get angry if I pretend they are one of my family members.) Paul's instructions in this chapter provides guidelines from God for different situations that arise in congregations today and is there for reference as well as for individual admonishment. Those in our congregations are indeed our brothers and sisters in Christ. Thank you, Paul. Thank you, our Father.
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