God Speaks
Jeremiah Faces Censorship, False Accusations and Imprisonment after Speaking the Word of the LORD
Verse of the Day: Again and again I [the LORD] sent all my servants the prophets to you. They said, “Each of you must turn from your wicked ways and reform your actions; do not follow other gods to serve them. Then you will live in the land I have given to you and your ancestors.” But you have not paid attention or listened to me. (Jeremiah 35:15 NIV 2011)
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We Respond
Reflection: Consider the following questions regarding Jeremiah 35-37:
1. What does this chapter tell me about God?
2. What does this chapter tell me about the human beings He created?
Here is one possible answer to each of these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit if there are any others for you personally to ponder.
Jeremiah 35
1. Throughout history God has repeatedly instructed and warned people to fear [meaning to honor] Him and to obey His commands.
2. People need to learn to obey the LORD like the descendants of Jehonadab [a variant spelling of Jonadab] obeyed his instructions.
Jeremiah 36
1. God wants people to read and hear His instructions and warnings; He will protect and provide for those who speak, read, and/or write them down.
2. People need to heed, honor, and obey the word of the LORD, not try to destroy or disobey what it teaches.
Jeremiah 37
1. God knows and announces the truth about the future (good or bad) to those who ask Him (good or bad).
2. Innocent people seeking to follow God, like Jeremiah and Baruch, may suffer at the hands of those who don’t like what they have to say.
Prayer:
3. How might I pray regarding Jeremiah 35-37?
Dear Father God who communicates with His creatures and His children, thank You for repeatedly instructing and warning people to fear, honor, and obey You and Your commands. We, stubborn and rebellious people that we are, need to learn to obey You and the words You have put in the Bible, LORD, not to ignore, dispute, deny, or try to destroy them. You have made it possible for millions of people to read and hear Your instructions and warnings. Please provide for and protect those who speak and/or write them down. LORD God, You know and announce the truth about the future (good or bad) to those who ask You (good or bad). Please help me and others to heed Your warnings and thus avoid much difficulty and grief. So many innocent people around the world are seeking to follow You and/or the truth and are suffering at the hands of wicked people who don’t like what they have to say. Protect the innocent and vulnerable so that we can all bring You glory, LORD. AMEN
Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)
4. What action does the LORD want me to take in response to Jeremiah 35-37? With the help of God’s Holy Spirit:
- I will ask the Holy Spirit to give me the courage to stand/speak up for what God says is right like Jeremiah.
- I will be like Baruch and do what a godly leader tells me as he did with Jeremiah.
- I will pray for people in my day who are facing persecution like Jeremiah and Baruch did.
- I will not become discouraged and give up when what I’ve worked hard on is destroyed. I want to be like Jeremiah and Baruch and start over and do even more.
Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.