THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS

This program of daily devotions is designed to take you through the Bible in three years. It is our desire to help you gain a better general understanding of God's Word.

Please understand that in a study this brief, we will be concerned with only the major emphases and context of the Scriptures.

Each day a devotion for one or two chapters is posted, beginning with chapter one of Genesis and going through chapter twenty-two of Revelation. You are free to print each page as it appears. If you miss a day, you may go to the archive below and find it.

Bruce McGee, Pastor
205 Adams
Columbia, LA 71418

We have a great friend in Gary Godard. He has set up an archive page. To view ALL the prior devotions by Scripture, just clik

HERE

Bro. Bruce's commentaries for the books of Genesis through 2Kings are
now available in hard copy for $7.50. Just mail your request for COMMENTARY ON (BOOK NAME) to the address above.

Jeremiah

INTRODUCTION

Jeremiah ministered in Judah in the final years of that nation's decline. During this time, the Babylonian Empire was growing strong, and the people of Judah were becoming involved in idol worship.

Jeremiah became a prominent prophet in the thirteenth year of Josiah's reign (626BC), and he died in Egypt in 587BC. Jeremiah had witnessed REVIVAL during Josiah's reign, and then he prophesied during the years of decline.

He suffered heartbreak as he witnessed God's chosen people languishing in the sins of selfishness, pride and idolatry. Due to his deep spiritual sorrow, Jeremiah is sometimes referred to as "the weeping prophet."

The priest who was called as a prophet suffered greatly at the hands of evil leadership in the nation. He was confined to prison, and given lashes. He was told NOT to prophesy, and then asked for his advice. He was placed in a well, sunk in the muddy mire up to his neck.

When he told the nation not to rebel against Babylonian captivity, some of them decided to run away to Egypt to escape the inevitable. They carried Jeremiah with them, and he died in Egypt.

As we read Jeremiah, the book, we see a shy, sensitive man. But this man was a determined man! He was divinely called to prophesy of Judah's decline and need of repentance, and he NEVER stopped! God promised Jeremiah he would be protected from the anger of his own people. But Jeremiah KNEW that his prophecy would bring persecution.

As we read the book of Jeremiah, let us remember that this is a man whom God called to a very difficult task; yet, he never turned aside from that calling. He questioned God because evil men seemed to prosper (Jeremiah 12:1), but he never gave up!

CHAPTER 1

1 The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests that were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin: 2 To whom the word of the LORD came in the days of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign. 3 It came also in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, unto the end of the eleventh year of Zedekiah the son of Josiah king of Judah, unto the carrying away of Jerusalem captive in the fifth month.

Jeremiah lived in Anathoth which was in the territory of Benjamin's tribe. He was the son of Hilkiah, who may or may not have been the high priest of that time. But Jeremiah was a priest who served in the temple. He probably lived in Anathoth when he was not in Jerusalem during his "course" of service.

As Josiah, the reforming king, began his thirteenth year, God began to speak to Jeremiah. Even though he was a young priest in training, and probably only about 20 years of age, God began to give Jeremiah detailed prophecy concerning Judah.

Jeremiah served as a prophet for a little over 50 years and his ministry covered the terms of four kings: Josiah, Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah.

All that time God was giving Jeremiah prophecy, and he is recognized today as one of the greatest of prophets.

4 Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. 6 Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.

As God's Word began to pour into Jeremiah's heart, he felt that he was too young to speak out (verse 6).

But God told Jeremiah one of the most important things that people and political leaders of today need to realize. God said that even BEFORE Jeremiah was conceived, God KNEW him and "sanctified...and ..ordained.." him as a prophet!

My friends, God looked down through time BEFORE He created time. And He saw you and me and every person that ever has come or will come into this world. He knows our lives before we are born!

Another important thing our political leaders need to understand today is that God told Jeremiah HE formed him in the womb! It is GOD Who causes conception!

Now I realize that there is a great question in some people's minds about rape and incest. But God KNOWS the lives of people. God KNOWS the events of history. God KNOWS how every baby is conceived and born. Even though conception may begin in an evil manner, God knows how to bring GOOD out of it!

EVERY baby is precious!

7 But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. 8 Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD. 9 Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth. 10 See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.

When Jeremiah complained of being too young, God assured him that he would have a DIRECT WORD from God. And God told him not to be "afraid" of the stern faces of political and religious leaders.

In a vision, Jeremiah saw God's OWN HAND touch his mouth. And God not only assured Jeremiah of a DIRECT WORD, but also a TRUE WORD!

The prophecy of Jeremiah would include God's plans for tearing down and building kingdoms of the world (verse 10). He would receive prophecy not only for Judah, but also for the whole world.

11 Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Jeremiah, what seest thou? And I said, I see a rod of an almond tree. 12 Then said the LORD unto me, Thou hast well seen: for I will hasten my word to perform it.

Here is yet another vision of assurance to Jeremiah. The word "almond" is shaqedh in the Hebrew, and means "to wait." Then God said He would "hasten," which is the Hebrew word shoqedh and means "watch over." God is saying that if Jeremiah would listen and serve Him, God would "watch over" the prophecy.

Another thought might enter here. An almond tree when it is in full bloom has a WHITE hairy appearance. God was assuring Jeremiah that even though he was young, his words would have wisdom that others would recognize.

13 And the word of the LORD came unto me the second time, saying, What seest thou? And I said, I see a seething pot; and the face thereof is toward the north. 14 Then the LORD said unto me, Out of the north an evil shall break forth upon all the inhabitants of the land. 15 For, lo, I will call all the families of the kingdoms of the north, saith the LORD; and they shall come, and they shall set every one his throne at the entering of the gates of Jerusalem, and against all the walls thereof round about, and against all the cities of Judah. 16 And I will utter my judgments against them touching all their wickedness, who have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, and worshipped the works of their own hands.

Now Jeremiah receives his first prophecy in a vision. He saw a boiling pot, ready to spill out, and it was facing the North.

God told him this was symbolic of the fact that destructive forces would begin in the North and converge on Jerusalem - the capitol of Judah.

It would be through these destructive forces that God would exact "judgments" upon Judah because of their "wickedness." God even explains their wickedness. He says that they have "forsaken" Him and have begun to worship idols.

I have said it before, and will say it again, the two greatest idols in America today are SELFISHNESS and TIME! People, because of selfishness, will not give God the time that they should. Attendance of those who claim to be saved is mostly lax. And study of God's Word for growth is done by only a few because selfish use of time prevails.

17 Thou therefore gird up thy loins, and arise, and speak unto them all that I command thee: be not dismayed at their faces, lest I confound thee before them. 18 For, behold, I have made thee this day a defenced city, and an iron pillar, and brasen walls against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, against the princes thereof, against the priests thereof, and against the people of the land. 19 And they shall fight against thee; but they shall not prevail against thee; for I am with thee, saith the LORD, to deliver thee.

During the time of the destructive forces coming to converge on Jerusalem, Jeremiah is told by the Lord that he should be steadfast. He is to "gird up his loins," which means he is to prepare himself for HARD WORK and spiritual battle.

But God assures Jeremiah again. He is told that he will be like an "iron pillar" as he prophesies against the kings of Judah and their appointed leaders.

God also assures Jeremiah that this task to which he is assigned will NOT be EASY! (see verse 19). The political leaders of the day will "fight against" him. Indeed, Jeremiah will suffer greatly for giving the DIRECT and TRUE Word from God!

But through it all, Jeremiah is to remain STEADFAST. God promises His PRESENCE to keep him alive until the end of the task.

My friends, THIS is what Christianity is all about! We have a DIRECT Word from God, and a TRUE Word from God in the Bible. We are to proclaim the Gospel of salvation and the consequences of not surrendering to Jesus. It is a "BATTLE," and we must "gird up our loins," preparing for HARD WORK!

For the majority, people (and particularly most political leaders) will despise the DIRECT and TRUE Word of God. But SOME will repent and surrender! And the battle and hard work is worth all the effort we can muster if only a FEW will be saved!

PLEASE CONTINUE IN BIBLE STUDY WITH US TOMORROW.