Overview of: JeremiahToday's Reading:
Jer. 38:1-28
"Jeremiah's Troubling Message"
Focus Verses: Jer. 38:1-4
1 Shephatiah son of Mattan, Gedaliah son of Pashhur, Jehucal son of Shelemiah, and Pashhur son of Malkijah heard what Jeremiah was telling all the people when he said, 2 "This is what the LORD says: 'Whoever stays in this city will die by the sword, famine or plague, but whoever goes over to the Babylonians will live. He will escape with his life; he will live.' 3 And this is what the LORD says: 'This city will certainly be handed over to the army of the king of Babylon, who will capture it.' " 4 Then the officials said to the king, "This man should be put to death. He is discouraging the soldiers who are left in this city, as well as all the people, by the things he is saying to them. This man is not seeking the good of these people but their ruin."
Insight:
The destruction of Jerusalem was inevitable. That being the case, Jeremiah told the people that they should just go along with the Babyonians instead of fighting in resistance. Though he was speaking the truth, some people thought he was just being demoralizing and pessimistic. It's difficult to be the bearer of bad news, and Jeremiah suffered for telling the truth.
Response and Action:
When the truth is bad news, nobody wants to hear it. I should not be surprised when telling the truth results in bad feelings toward me. I should be careful to speak the truth in love, and to live with integrity. I should be faithful to speak the truth even if it is unpopular and results in mistreatment.
O God, show me the truth. Help me to know and understand the truth. By the transforming power of your Spirit, enable me to live the truth. Give me the courage to face the truth. And by your grace and mercy, help me to stand in the truth of Jesus. Through Christ, I pray. Amen.
Proverb for Today: Prov. 19:5
"A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who pours out lies will not go free."
New Testament for Today: 2 Timothy 4:3-4
3 For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.
Recommended Reading:
The Right Questions: Truth, Meaning & Public Debate
by Philip E. Johnson
