Jeremiah 49:19

October 11, 2025 by Leave a Comment

“Behold, like a lion coming up from the jungle of the Jordan against a perennial pasture, I will suddenly make him run away from her. And I will appoint over her whomever I choose. For who is like me? Who will summon me? What shepherd can stand before me?”

Chapter 49 focuses on the surrounding nations that have come under God’s judgment. Verse 19 is focused on Edom’s inability to resist the mighty hand of God. Note the three questions offered in this verse: “For who is like me? Who will summon me? What shepherd can stand before me?” In a word, nobody! These questions are designed to solicit a single response, reminding the hearer of God’s sovereign rule over the earth.

The lion imagery is intended to illustrate God’s activity in the details of life. He is not a sovereign ruler who remains at a distance. In fact, he is an all powerful who is involved in the very fine details of life.

Father, thank you that you are not only aware of what’s happening here, but you are involved in those things. Amen.

Filed Under: covanent, devotional thoughts, Jeremiah, Old Testament, Sovereignty

Jeremiah 48:7-8

October 10, 2025 by Leave a Comment

“For, because you trusted in your works and your treasures, you also shall be taken; and Chemosh shall go into exile with his priests and his officials. The destroyer shall come upon every city, and no city shall escape; the valley shall perish, and the plain shall be destroyed, as the Lord has spoken.” (Jeremiah 48:7-8)

These verses refer to Moab. Chemosh is the idol of the Moabites. Here, God says Chemosh will be put down, and defeat shall fall upon all of Moab. The reason?  “Because you trusted in your works and your treasures.” (7)

Contrast that with Ruth who was from Moab and chose to follow the one true and living God: “But Ruth said, ‘Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God.’” (‭‭Ruth‬ ‭1‬:‭16‬)

There is a cost for trusting in ourselves. There is a benefit of trusting in the Lord.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, idolatry, Jeremiah, Old Testament, Ruth

Jeremiah 46:27-28

October 8, 2025 by Leave a Comment

“But fear not, O Jacob my servant, nor be dismayed, O Israel, for behold, I will save you from far away, and your offspring from the land of their captivity. Jacob shall return and have quiet and ease, and none shall make him afraid. 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 46:27-28)

Jeremiah spends the chapter describing how God will use Babylon to punish Egypt. In closing, he reminds Israel that they, too, will be punished in just measure. However, unlike the nations, God will not bring Jacob (Israel) to an end.

I noticed the phrase “fear not” again. And the reason they are not to fear? God said, “For I am with you.” I can not think that being in exile in Egypt shortly after the fall of Jerusalem would feel like God “is with you.”

Two things to keep in mind from this passage: First, Israel will be restored from captivity. Second, God can be with his people, even in difficult circumstances.

Father, thank you for being faithful to your covenants and for being with your people, even in the most trying times. Amen.

Filed Under: covanent, devotional thoughts, Jeremiah, Old Testament, Prophecy

Jeremiah 45:2-3

October 7, 2025 by Leave a Comment

“Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, to you, O Baruch: You said, ‘Woe is me! For the Lord has added sorrow to my pain. I am weary with my groaning, and I find no rest.’” (Jeremiah 45:2-3)

The focus of this chapter is Baruch, Jeremiah’s scribe. The timing of this chapter is actually out of order chronologically. Timing-wise, it occurs back in chapter 36.

Someone drew my attention to Baruch’s words in verse 3. Notice that he uses 5 personal pronouns in that verse: me, my, I, my, and I.

If we go back to chapter 36, things are bad (Jerusalem fell in chapter 39). It would seem normal to have a personal focus in times like those. However, God asks us not to be normal, but to look heavenward. Baruch was a good man, but the Lord sensed his personal ambition (vs 5) and told him not to pursue things for himself.

In the NT, we get the same message: “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians‬ ‭10‬:‭31‬) In all circumstances, we need to look heavenward.

Father, help me to look beyond the here and now. Help me to look heavenward through Calvary. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, Jeremiah, Old Testament

Jeremiah 44:29-30

October 6, 2025 by Leave a Comment

“This shall be the sign to you, declares the Lord, that I will punish you in this place, in order that you may know that my words will surely stand against you for harm: Thus says the Lord, Behold, I will give Pharaoh Hophra king of Egypt into the hand of his enemies and into the hand of those who seek his life, as I gave Zedekiah king of Judah into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, who was his enemy and sought his life.””

I am fascinated to see the extended effects of sin. First, this remnant from Judah is steadfast in their idolatry. Jeremiah faithfully warned them, but to no avail.

The Lord promises their destruction (23), which immediately makes sense. What is less intuitive to me is how this rebellion lands Egypt in trouble. This is not to say that the Pharaoh was not an idolater. However, Jeremiah specifically said that Pharaoh would be conquered as a sign to Israel that God would punish them.

This is an important lesson for me. When I sin, I not only put myself in jeopardy, but I may also put others in harm’s way. Yikes!

Father, please help me to see how wicked my sin is and the broad effects it carries. Amen.

Filed Under: covanent, devotional thoughts, Jeremiah, Old Testament
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