Charles (Chuck) Kensinger

Part of the distress that is going on in Judah according to Jeremiah 14 is drought. The cisterns are dry. The ground is cracked. This is no symbolic lack of rain. The deer have nothing to eat.

They have no self-control. Once again God tells Jeremiah not to ask Him for anything for them. The prophets are speaking lies and arguing with the message that Jeremiah brings. He proclaims woe and they declare prosperous times. Even the other nations have no better luck.

Moses and Samuel could not change the heart of Yahweh to the Judeans is given in Jeremiah 15. There are only four choices for them: death, sword, starvation, or captivity. The life of a slave appears to be the best choice. Repentance is the only answer. Words are worthless.

How would you feel if God told you to never marry? In Jeremiah 16 this is what our prophet is instructed to do. Funerals, drinking, and feasting are also off limits. The exodus from Egypt will be eclipsed by the return from Babylonia.

Language in Jeremiah 17 expresses the engraving of Judah’s sinfulness as being marked on their hearts and altars. They lose their inheritance. The encouragement comes from verse eight where it says, “They will be like trees planted by waters.” God knows who is wicked and who innocent. He searches the heart and examines the mind.

Instructions for the observance of the sabbath day are included here. Obedience is still the rule of the day. Nothing else will bring forgiveness. The result of disobedience is the destruction of Jerusalem.

©Copyright 2020 by Charles Kensinger