Week 42
Jeremiah 1-21
Have we met the prophet Jeremiah before? We’ve read about the reigns’ of Kings Josiah & Jehoiakim in 2 Kings around the 600 BC ish time period.
So now we are getting a more in-depth look at the word that is coming “from” Jeremiah, the message God is sending through Jeremiah. So basically we see here that God is punishing the Israelites for disobeying Him. They continually turn from Him; they continue to worship other “gods” and idols: they continue to put their trust in pretty much everything but God, reserving God for their last ditch efforts- hopefully this isn’t sounding familiar to your life 😬
Jeremiah is worried about passing along this grim message. He doesn’t want to be the one seen as fussing at his people, telling them that because of their actions they are going to be destroyed. Of course- God tells him that He will protect him, but that Jeremiah has to speak the word of the Lord. In chapter 11 we learn that people are indeed not only upset with Jeremiah and his message but also plotting to kill him because of it. Of course God punishes them for this.
For the sake of complete honesty- it took me a while to read this week’s passage. I felt like I kept getting lost on who was saying what- Jeremiah is giving his account in 1st person of God also speaking in 1st person so I keep getting a little turned around. As I’m reading a portion that I thought was from God but then it starts mentioned “the Lord” so how is He speaking in 3rd person or was this Jeremiah repeating what God had originally said in 1st person. Regardless- we get the gist of what’s going on here, right? God is warning the people to obey Him and only Him. He is telling them that if they don’t change their ways and their hearts, He is going to destroy them.
We even see Jeremiah try to stick up for the people and ask for forgiveness on their behalf. Reminding God they were told they would have peace, and of course God says it’s too late, they’ve gone too far, and really the messages of never ending peace were from false prophets anyway.
So then we get to the potter’s hand section. I love the potter/ clay analogy; I know it’s an old one- but it really does resonate with me! Who does the clay think it is to be telling the potter what it will or will not be molded into?! Yet how often do we insist on doing things our way, rather than God’s?! But really what we’re seeing here is something deeper than that- we’re seeing the potter change his mind mid-pot. The pot was misshapen or in someway not how it was supposed to be- so the potter scraps it and starts over. The potter isn’t locked into his original plan; which is exactly what God is saying to Jeremiah about the Israelites. His plan was for them to settle and live happily ever after in the promised land. They messed that up when they deviated from Him so now He is repurposing that clay.
The thought that came to me during reading this, is the fact that we follow God for His glory. Our comfort is a possible byproduct of us following His perfect will. Not the other way around. And I feel like I often get that backward. As I’m trying to find “my where” am I trying to find my where for His glory or for my comfort? It is such a tiny distinction but IT’S A HUGE DIFFERENCE. The clay wasn’t formed into a pot for the comfort or enjoyment of the clay. The potter didn’t form the clay into a fancy figurine for the fulfillment of the clay. NO NO NO. The potter could’ve left the clay in the box. The potter didn’t have to even open the package and get the clay out, much less form it into a vase or piece of art. If He chooses to form that clay, it’s for HIM and for Him alone. I know I struggle with remembering that in my day-to-day life, so it makes me curious is that what we’re seeing in the Israelites here too? They got a little too comfortable; they got a little too arrogant; they got a little (or a lottle) too self reliant- and finally God throws His hands up and says fine! We even see this here with Jeremiah- he is following God, but clearly his life is difficult. For obvious reasons people don’t like hearing him prophecy that they will be destroyed; they plot to kill him, they beat him, imprison him- none of this was for the comfort of Jeremiah but all for the purpose and command of God.
What were your takeaways here?