August 13, 2017

Insights on Today's Reading

Jeremiah 23 - This is one of the great chapters that speak of the coming of Jesus Christ to Israel.  In verses 1-8 the Lord speaks of the shepherds of Judah, some being poor and insincere in their ministry to the people, verses 1,2.  But then God promises to bring shepherds into Judah that will care for the people and feed them.  Then, in verses 5-8 the Lord speaks of the Branch of righteousness, from the line of David, who will be a King and known as THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.  This can be none other that Jesus!  Later in the chapter God speaks of Himself as being "...a God near at hand..." verse 23, and encourages those who have His Word to "...speak My word faithfully" verse 28.

Jeremiah 24 - The Lord gives Jeremiah a vision of two baskets of figs.  One holding what appear to be absolutely delicious figs, and the other holding absolutely rotten figs.  The surprising thing is that the good figs speak of those Judeans that are taken captive by the Chaldeans (Babylonians).  The bad figs speak of the Jews that refused to surrender.  Also, please note a wonderful thought in verse 7 where God promises "...I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the Lord..."  How we need to pray that He will do that with those He has laid on our hearts to pray for.

Jeremiah 25 - God reminds the people of Judah that He had continuously sent prophets to warn them and direct them to turn to the Lord, verse 4.*  The Lord also predicts that Israel will be held captive in Babylon for seventy years, verse 11.  Then, after those years God will bring judgment on those nations that harmed Israel.

*The many prophets God sent to Israel gave many prophecies.  And these prophecies comprise much of the prophetic content in the Old Testament.  This gives a reasonable answer as to why so much prophecy speaks of judgment to come for God's people.  God wants all His people to read of how much warning He gave to His people and how much they had the opportunity to turn from their wicked ways.