S – “Moab has been at ease from his youth and has settled on his dregs; he has not been emptied from vessel to vessel, nor has he gone into exile; so his taste remains in him, and his scent is not changed

Jeremiah 48:11 ESV

O – Commentary:

Moab’s history was one of relative peace. She had been at rest from her youth. Jeremiah compared her to wine left on its dregs that had not been poured from one jar to another. In making wine, first the grapes were stomped, then the juice was placed into bottles or skins and allowed to ferment. During this time the sediment, or dregs, would settle to the bottom. After 40 days the fermented wine was carefully poured into another container to separate it from the dregs. If the dregs were allowed to remain, the wine became too sweet and thick and was spoiled. This object lesson from nature was ultimately applied to people who had become too complacent (cf. Zeph. 1:12)

Charles H. Dyer, “Jeremiah,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 1195.

A – Complacency is defined as, “a state of self-satisfaction accompanied by unawareness of potential dangers risks or deficiencies.”  Our relationship with God cannot have these qualities.  Our fulfillment comes in knowing and serving God.  We must be active, vigilant and ready to move toward the hard situations.  Even when God commands us to rest, there is intentionality and purpose in it. This is a great reminder now to be “unaware” as we approach today.

R – Heavenly Father, you are our Creator.  You knew and formed us with a purpose.  Empower us today to accomplish every thing you will for us.  In action or in rest, you are molding us into the person of character and heart that reflects you.  Let our day be an illustration of that love you show us so we can show others.

S – Fear not, O Jacob my servant, declares the Lord, for I am with you. I will make a full end of all the nations to which I have driven you, but of you I will not make a full end. I will discipline you in just measure, and I will by no means leave you unpunished.” 

Jeremiah 46:28 ESV

O – Commentary:

In contrast with Egypt, who would be taken into exile, Israel was not to fear or be dismayed. She could rejoice because God promised to return her people from … exile. Israel could look forward to a time when she would enjoy peace and security. Though she too went into exile, God vowed that He would not completely destroy her. A remnant would survive to again receive God’s blessings 

 Charles H. Dyer, “Jeremiah,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 1194.

A – God talks about defeat by the hands of the Babylonians and death for a good portion of Israel.  Yet, in the end he still promises there will not be a total destruction.  A small portion will survive.  In our lives when things are at their worst, we can know that we will not be “destroyed.”  We may be tested or even punished for our actions by God, but He will not destroy us.  He is the Hope of Glory. That gives us even the smallest faith to move forward with confidence that He is with us an working on our behalf.

R – Heavenly Father, you are the Hope of Glory.  Whatever we are facing today, you give us the faith we need to stay close to you.  Do the pruning or disciplining in us – we want to eliminate the sin or distractions.  Empower us through this time of testing or discipline so we can be strong in our faith in you.

S – Therefore thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Behold, I will set my face against you for harm, to cut off all Judah.

Jeremiah 44:11 ESV

O – God pronounces a death sentence on Judah, no matter where they go.  Their disobedience in worshipping other gods took God’s long suffering to the limit.

A – There are people that you love so much that continue to make bad choices.  You continue to give them “every chance” to do what it is right.  There comes a time where for your benefit or theirs, you discontinue supporting them.  That is tough love.  God is long suffering in his love for us.  He gives us more chances than we deserve.  But, God is also just.  There will come a time when He says, “Enough.”  Then, He will exact punishment that is just.

R – Heavenly Father, you are long suffering and just.  Thank you for your grace and mercy that allows us to grow in our relationship with you.  Thank you for being just so we see justice and righteousness upheld by your works.  Empower us to allow both parts of your character to work in us today.

S – For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: As my anger and my wrath were poured out on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so my wrath will be poured out on you when you go to Egypt. You shall become an execration, a horror, a curse, and a taunt. You shall see this place no more.

Jeremiah 42:18 ESV

O – The people asked Jeremiah to get the word from the Lord, committing to do what it says.  The prophet warns them to not go to Egypt and even gives the vile description of who they will become if they disobey God.

A – I don’t think God can make it more clear – do not go to Egypt.  Before we point a finger at the  people, God’s words are clear in the Bible and we still struggle to obey it.  Obeying god shows that we trust in him and his direction.  When we take things into our own hands to accomplish them, it usually doesn’t end well in the long run.

R – Heavenly Father, we surrender to you.  Empower us to align our wills with yours.  Help us to grow our faith so we trust you completely and obey without hesitation.  Eliminate the confusion we see in the natural.  We choose to move toward you with confidence and faith.

S – If you remain, then return to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon appointed governor of the cities of Judah, and dwell with him among the people. Or go wherever you think it right to go.” So the captain of the guard gave him an allowance of food and a present, and let him go. ⁶ Then Jeremiah went to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, at Mizpah, and lived with him among the people who were left in the land. 

Jeremiah 40:5–6 ESV

O – Jeremiah finds favor with the captain of the guard who tells him he is free to go where he pleases.  If he went to the governor’s city, there would be provision and protection there.  Jeremiah stayed with the governor and in the cities of Judah.

A – In the most challenging circumstances, God is still Jehovah Jireh, our provider.  It is part of his character to take care of and provide for those he has a relationship.  God will give us favor even when it doesn’t make sense.

R – Heavenly Father, you are Jehovah Jireh.  Thank you for providing for us daily.  Many things we take for granted are because you give us favor.  We are grateful that you watch over us and ensure we are taken care of today.

S – Then Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, “Thus says the Lord, the God of hosts, the God of Israel: If you will surrender to the officials of the king of Babylon, then your life shall be spared, and this city shall not be burned with fire, and you and your house shall live.

Jeremiah 38:17 ESV

O – Jeremiah tells Zedekiah that his life would be spared and the city not burned if he would just surrender.  

A – What a great challenge for us.  What would our life look like if we would surrender?  Would it look different than us pursuing our own will and plan?  Absolutely.  Yet, do we trust God to take that moment of yield and make it into something he can bless and work with.  Zedekiah refused to surrender and suffered the consequences of his stubbornness.

R – Yahweh, you know all things and you are everywhere.  Help us to grow in our trust in you so we can hear your Word and move forward with confidence.  Let our faith be the foundation of our growth.  We invite the Holy Spirit to empower us to be strong for you today.

S – But to the house of the Rechabites Jeremiah said, “Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Because you have obeyed the command of Jonadab your father and kept all his precepts and done all that he commanded you, ¹⁹ therefore thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Jonadab the son of Rechab shall never lack a man to stand before me.

Jeremiah 35:18–19 ESV

O – Commentary:

to stand before me The Hebrew expression here signifies worshiping in Yahweh’s presence in the temple. It indicates that the family will have an enduring legacy of faithful people worshiping Yahweh. Despite the coming judgment, a remnant will be preserved from the Rechabites.

 John D. Barry et al., Faithlife Study Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016), Je 35:19.

One of the descendants of Jehonadab son of Recab apparently returned from Babylon after the Exile and helped to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem (see Neh 3:14).

 New Living Translation Study Bible (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2008), Je 35:19.

A – The simple obedience of the sons Rechab resulted in God ensuring that their family would always have a place before God.  That is verified by one of them being designated to help rebuild the wall of Jerusalem.  When we obey God, it opens up doors we cannot take for granted. Simple obedience is a catalyst for great results.  Long term, consistent obedience grows into faithfulness.

R -Yahweh, you are faithful to us.  You never change.  Your heart and compassion for us never wavers and you promise you will never forsake us.  Empower us to be obedient to your Word and direction today.

S – You shall not escape from his hand but shall surely be captured and delivered into his hand. You shall see the king of Babylon eye to eye and speak with him face to face. And you shall go to Babylon.’ ⁴ Yet hear the word of the Lord, O Zedekiah king of Judah! Thus says the Lord concerning you: ‘You shall not die by the sword. ⁵ You shall die in peace.

Jeremiah 34:3–5 ESV

O – In the midst of all the chaos and fighting, God tells King Zedekiah that he will die in peace.  He will not be killed in battle but die naturally. 

A – It appears paradoxical that all of the judgement poured out on Judah and the Israelites is contrasted by a “peaceful” death.  Zedekiah was captured and had to watch the execution of his sons and then live with his eyes gauged out.  When we face battles, loss and even defeat, we can find peace with God that surpasses our understanding.  This is a great reminder that our peace comes from the inside relationship with God and not the things that are happening around us.

R- Yahweh, you are the Prince of Peace.  When things around us are filled with challenges and chaos, you provide peace that surpasses our comprehension. Empower us today to walk in that peace.  Help us to draw closer to you in our relationship.  We look to your instead of our circumstances to walk in confidence today.

S – For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Jeremiah 31:33 ESV

O – Commentary:

God’s New Covenant will involve an internalization of His Law. He will put His Law in their minds and on their hearts, not just on stones (Ex. 34:1). There will be no need to exhort people to know the Lord because they will already all know God (cf. Isa. 11:9; Hab. 2:14). God’s New Covenant will give Israel the inner ability to obey His righteous standards and thus to enjoy His blessings. Ezekiel indicated that this change will result from God’s bestowal of the Holy Spirit on these believers (cf. Ezek. 36:24–32). In Old Testament times the Holy Spirit did not universally indwell all believers. Thus one different aspect of the New Covenant is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in all believers.

 Charles H. Dyer, “Jeremiah,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 1171.

A – The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is a game changer.  God moved the Law from the external to the internal.  By moving to inside, He now could impress on their minds and hearts his will and purposes.  The Holy Spirit helps us with all of those things.  We need the Holy Spirit’s leading and guiding us each day.

R – Heavenly Father, you and the Holy Spirit are One.  We invite the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us today.  Empower us on the inside to know you and your Word more intimately today.  Lead and guide us as we follow your will and purpose for our lives.

S – ¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Jeremiah 29:11 ESV

O – Commentary:

The Lord’s plans for good, to prosper the exiled people and to return them to the land of Judah, gave them a future and a hope. This promise was specific to the exiles in Babylon, but it has given hope to millions of God’s people in various difficult circumstances.

 New Living Translation Study Bible (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2008), Je 29:11.

A – This is a popular verse that gets quoted in response  when someone is in a difficult situation.  The irony is that in its context it was God encouraging before he directed them into a challenging time.  Both apply today – God’s word promises us there will be trouble and we get into often.  In those times, God has a plan for each of us and it is good, establishes our future and is founded in expectation that attaches us to God.

R – Heavenly Father, you are the Hope of glory.  Each of us are facing challenges.  Thank you for your assurance that you are with us and have a plan.  We invite you Holy Spirit to work in us so we can be faithful to you in our words, thoughts and actions even when challenged.