S – And when you tell this people all these words, and they say to you, ‘Why has the Lord pronounced all this great evil against us? What is our iniquity? What is the sin that we have committed against the Lord our God?’ ¹¹ then you shall say to them: ‘Because your fathers have forsaken me, declares the Lord, and have gone after other gods and have served and worshiped them, and have forsaken me and have not kept my law

Jeremiah 16:10–11 ESV

O – Commentary:

Naively they asked what sin they had committed to deserve such judgment. God’s answer to these questions underscored the root problem throughout Israel’s history. Though the previous generations (fathers) had abandoned the true God to follow other gods, the present generation behaved even more wickedly. Instead of profiting from their ancestors’ errors, the current generation was going further astray. Each person was following the stubbornness within his evil heart rather than obeying God.

 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), 1150.

A – We have every opportunity to learn from those who go before us.  There is more information and resources to tap into their thoughts and actions.  What keeps us from doing that?  Stubbornness in our our ways and the belief that we are better than them.  We can be better if we humbly use the past as a place of honor and learning.  Then, apply those principles and apply them to our walk with God and others today.

R – Heavenly Father, you are omnipresent.  Nothing escapes your presence.  Help us to learn from those who have gone before us.  Instead, let us capture the wisdom and insights and apply to our walk with you and others today.

S – O you hope of Israel, its savior in time of trouble, why should you be like a stranger in the land, 

like a traveler who turns aside to tarry for a night? ⁹  Why should you be like a man confused, like a mighty warrior who cannot save? Yet you, O Lord, are in the midst of us, and we are called by your name; do not leave us.” 

Jeremiah 14:8–9 ESV

O – Commentary:

its savior in time of distress Under the terms of the covenant, Yahweh should save. The implicit criticism in this appeal ignores the fact that the covenant was broken by the people when they disobeyed Yahweh and turned to other gods (see 11:14 and note).

14:9 like a warrior who is not able to help The standard explanation for defeat in the ancient Near East was that the local deity was not strong enough to save his people. Compare Ezek 8:12 and note. In this regard, the prophets’ assertions that Yahweh had allowed the Israelites’ defeat and even orchestrated it to judge them was an unorthodox concept (see Isa 59:1).

your name is called Appeals to Yahweh’s reputation and reminds Him that He will look weak for not saving His people

 John D. Barry et al., Faithlife Study Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016), Je 14:8–9.

A – We cannot manipulate God into acting for us.  When we pray, it is expressing our relationship with God and inviting God to act.  We cannot “negotiate” our will with God.  We need to surrender our will to Him and allow his will and purpose to be accomplished.

R – Heavenly Father, we worship and surrender to you.  Forgive us for trying to manipulate you with our words and actions to have you do something for us.  You gave us our greatest gift in Christ’s death on the cross so we can have relationship with you.  We invite you to accomplish your will in us today.

S – Righteous are you, O Lord, when I complain to you; yet I would plead my case before you. Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all who are treacherous thrive? ²  You plant them, and they take root; they grow and produce fruit; you are near in their mouth and far from their heart. 

Jeremiah 12:1–2 ESV

O – Commentary:

Jeremiah affirmed the Lord’s justice when dealing with him in the past. However, since he was obedient, he could not understand why his life was being threatened. By contrast, those who were wicked and evil seemed to be prosperous and happy.

12:2 Jeremiah was irked that the Lord allowed evil people to become established and enjoy prosperity and happiness.

 New Living Translation Study Bible (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2008), Je 12:1–2.

A – Like Jeremiah, many ask why “wicked people” prosper while believers struggle or face challenges.  God has a plan and purpose in everything but it is tough to go through some intense challenges when others who are not living for God seem to have “it all together.”  Each of us must decide where we will put our faith and trust in those seasons.  Putting our faith in God and surrendering the future to him allows us to live today confident that his plan will be accomplished in the right time.

R – Heavenly Father, you hold all time and things.  We invite you to work your purpose and will in our lives today no matter what we face.  We know that your desires for us are good.

S – Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, ²⁴ but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.

Jeremiah 9:23–24 ESV

O – Commentary:

Intellectuals might boast about the knowledge they have accumulated. The king and his royal court might flaunt their power with pomp and ceremony. Wealthy merchants might display their riches by wearing splendid clothes and constructing majestic buildings. All of these would be destroyed at the time of God’s judgment.

9:24 The Lord would recognize just one kind of boast—the testimony of persons who truly know and understand that the Lord is the one true God (1 Cor 1:31; 2 Cor 10:17). • unfailing love: This key covenant term (Hebrew khesed) carries the basic meaning of passionate loyalty. It is often undeserved, and the word may be translated as “mercy,” “grace,” “kindness,” or love. It is the OT equivalent of the NT affirmation that “God is love” (1 Jn 4:8). • righteousness: God deals with his people on an ethical, moral level. He does what is right in every situation. • I delight in these things: God does not find joy in bringing vicious sinners to judgment and then punishing them. Rather, he actively seeks to redeem sinners.

 New Living Translation Study Bible (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2008), Je 9:23–24.

A – Strong verse and commentary.  It is almost silly to “boast” to the Lord of what we bring to the relationship.  Foundationally, because he gives us everything to start and our greatest wisdom, might and riches are a fractional to what God possesses.  God wants us to “make a show, boast, foolishly clamor, rave and celebrate” God in our understanding, knowledge and relationship with him.  When we acknowledge him with joy and depth, it delights him.

R – Heavenly Father, you are the God we boast in today.  You are the owner and provider of our wisdom, wealth and might.  We invite you to share with us all that you desire today.  We choose to honor and boast in you – you have no equal as our holy, true God!

S – The wise men shall be put to shame; they shall be dismayed and taken; behold, they have rejected the word of the Lord, so what wisdom is in them? 

Jeremiah 8:9 ESV

O – Commentary:

The phrase wise teachers is sarcastic—the Lord called their teachings foolishness and exposed their motivation as greed (cp. Job 28:28). This sin ruled the lives of the prophets and priests, making all of them frauds.

 New Living Translation Study Bible (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2008), Je 8:9–10.

A – Wisdom is an amazing gift.  We take all of our life experiences and use them in a smarter, experienced manner.  What good is that wisdom if God is not the center of our lives and in the application of all that we learned?  It is a limited application…all based on our own abilities and intellect.  The catalyst for even more effective and truth based wisdom is our ongoing relationship with God.

R – Heavenly Father, you are the Spirit of Wisdom.  Forgive us for trusting in our own abilities and intellect and neglecting you.  We invite your Holy Spirit to lead us and guide us into all wisdom from you today.

S – Do you not fear me? declares the Lord. Do you not tremble before me? I placed the sand as the boundary for the sea, a perpetual barrier that it cannot pass; though the waves toss, they cannot prevail; though they roar, they cannot pass over it. ²³  But this people has a stubborn and rebellious heart; they have turned aside and gone away. 

Jeremiah 5:22–23 ESV

O – Commentary:

The people should at least respect the Lord for his power and tremble at the thought of his unleashing that power against them. If even the mighty sea was unable to pass the boundaries the Lord had set for it, surely the rebellion of little Jerusalem would fail.

New Living Translation Study Bible (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2008), Je 5:22.

A – Why do we think we are smarter, bigger and more powerful than God?  Because he allows us to make choices that give us the false impression of our own “God” complex.  He is slow to anger, compassionate, gracious so we can recognize our need for Him.  Where he is hands off now, there will be a day where his judgement and power will not be escapable. The hope is that people would accept Christ and live for God today and avoid his wrath and judgement in that final day.

R – Heavenly Father, you are the one, True God.  Thank you for your patience, compassion and grace that you extend to us.  Help us to see and honor you for who you truly are.  Thank you for allowing us to grow in our relationship with you.

S – In that day, declares the Lord, courage shall fail both king and officials. The priests shall be appalled and the prophets astounded

Jeremiah 4:9 ESV

O – Commentary:

on that day Refers to the coming day of judgment and divine wrath. The prophets often interweave imagery of immediate judgment (the Babylonian invasion) with future, final eschatological judgment. Both are referred to with the ominous phrase “in that day.” Compare Isa 19:16–25, where the phrase occurs six times.

the heart of the king and the heart of the officials will be destroyed A complete breakdown in society is symbolized by the failure of political and religious leaders.

 John D. Barry et al., Faithlife Study Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016), Je 4:9.

A – If you want to defeat a group of people, attack the leadership.  When kings and advisors lose courage, the people that follow them are doomed because they have no direction and fortitude to pursue movement.  In Christ, that will never happen.  He is the Hope of all glory.  Religious leaders who do not know Christ or his Word will be shocked because their hope is in ritual and acts.  They do not have a relationship with God so this will not bring hope of his involvement in these days.

R – Heavenly Father, you are the Hope of glory.  You give us the ability to believe that you are working even when we don’t see it clearly.  Grow our relationship with you so our trust and faith continue to strengthen for times when it is challenging. 

S – “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; 

I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”

Jeremiah 1:5 ESV

O – Four observations from this verse:

• God formed us – He made us exactly how we are (gifts, talents, personalities, physical qualities)
• Before He created us – He knew us.  He knew intimately.
• He consecrated us – He set us apart with a purpose.
• He appointed us prophets – Prophets have a message to deliver….so do we.

A -Jeremiah needed this assurance because he was afraid and the Lord was sending him to speak to the nations. We need to know the same qualities are in us and our relationship with God.  He created us, knows us, set us apart and given us a message. No matter our role, job or title – each of us has the same annointing to minister as Jeremiah.

R – Heavenly Father, you are the Creator of all things, including us.  Thank you for knowing us intimately enough that all the gifts, talents and attributes you have given us align with your purpose for us.  We choose to answer your calling boldly today.

S – Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” ¹⁹ (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.” 

John 21:18–19 ESV

O – Commentary:

21:18–19. I tell you the truth (cf. comments on 1:51) introduces a solemn prediction of Peter’s coming crucifixion. In old age Peter was tied to a cross and had his hands stretched out (cf. 1 Clement 5:4; 6:1; Eusebius The Ecclesiastical History 2. 25). Obedience to Jesus’ command, Follow Me, is the key issue in every Christian’s life. As Jesus followed the Father’s will, so His disciples should follow their Lord whether the path leads to a cross or to some other difficult experience.

 Edwin A. Blum, “John,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 345.

A – Being told of the future to come, Peter had another opportunity to deny Jesus.  He knew that following Christ would lead to his death.  He became a pillar in the early church and one of the most well known apostles before his death.  Knowing that suffering and challenge is part of the Christian walk, will we deny Jesus or will we continue to follow Him?

R – Heavenly Father, we worship and surrender to you.  Empower us with courage to live a life that follows you daily, boldly shares our faith and loves others with full hearts.  The price of doing all of this can be steep but we want to follow you.

S – Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” ²² And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. ²³ If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.” 

John 20:21–23 ESV

O – Commentary:

20:21 I am sending you: God had sent Jesus into the world to establish his Kingdom, and now Jesus was sending his disciples to carry on his mission. Christ’s emissaries carry the truth of Jesus’ words to the world (cp. 17:18).

20:22 Jesus commissioned the disciples and then empowered them with the Holy Spirit. The Spirit had not been given previously because Jesus had not yet been glorified (7:39). The glorified Jesus, resplendent in his resurrected body, poured the Spirit on his followers. This gift fulfilled many promises that the Spirit would be sent (14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7, 13). It foreshadows the arrival of the Spirit’s empowering presence at Pentecost (Acts 1:4–5; 2:1–47).

20:23 If you forgive anyone’s sins: The ongoing work of Christ’s followers parallels the work of Christ. Christ’s followers do not distribute and withdraw God’s forgiveness on a whim, but they follow Jesus’ prompting through the Spirit (15:5), just as Jesus obeyed his Father (14:31).

 New Living Translation Study Bible (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2008), Jn 20:21–23.

A – This is Jesus first appearance to the disciples.  Since it is his first time with them since receiving his glorified body, it is interesting to note the things he says to them.  First, he gives them peace (twice) – joining quietness and oneness together instead of the fear they lived in the last week.  Second, he commission them as sent leaders of his will.  Similar to being sent out in twos during his lifetime ministry. Now, they going to share his message.  Third, they received the Holy Spirit – a promised and necessary part of their ministry and ongoing relationship with God.  Finally, they can now forgive sins (all believers can now) because Jesus’ death and resurrection empowers us to do so.

R – Heavenly Father, we glorify your name and character!  You are the one, true God.  You empower us through our relationship with you to be your ambassadors of your message.  We invite the Holy Spirit to guide, lead and reveal to us the conversations and environments to step into.  Finally, give us the heart of forgiveness to others that we may show your heart of love.