Sunday School Lesson for May 16, 2021 - Preaching Doom: Printed Text: Jeremiah 38:14-23 NASB; Background Scripture: Jeremiah 37-38 NASB; Devotional Reading: Jeremiah 38:7-13; 39:15-18 NASB

 

Key Verse:

Jeremiah 38:15 NASB

15 And Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, “If I tell you, will you not certainly put me to death? Besides, if I give you advice, you will not listen to me.”

Epilogue: a final or concluding act….

Over the last several weeks, we have looked at several episodes in the lives of the ancient Hebrew prophets. These ancient prophets held the responsibility of speaking as they were inspired by God. Typically, when they were called by God, it was to bring words of warning and correction to the leadership of a nation, Israel (or Judah), that had gone astray. No one of God’s prophets better exemplifies this commitment to God’s calling than Jeremiah.

Jeremiah records, for us, the end of an age. An age where kings ruled in ancient Israel. Jeremiah records the events that lead to the collapse of the throne of David across the reign of its last five kings: Josiah, Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and finally… Zedekiah.  This week’s lesson captures an interaction between Jeremiah and  Zedekiah preceding the destruction of Judah at the hands of Nebuchadnezzar according to God’s judgment against them. 

Jeremiah 38:14 NASB

14 Then King Zedekiah sent word and [a]had Jeremiah the prophet brought to him at the third entrance that is in the house of the Lord; and the king said to Jeremiah, “I am going to ask you something; do not hide anything from me.” 

This is the third recorded meeting between Zedekiah and Jeremiah. Judah was under siege by the army of Babylon. This would be the final siege. Nebuchadnezzar was determined to bring Judah to its knees. Zedekiah hoped for a way out, an alternative ending. He summoned Jeremiah to a private antechamber, believed to be a private entry for the king and his court from the palace into the temple. Zedekiah desired a private meeting with Jeremiah, with the thought that with less contention between them, as there had been there prior meetings, perhaps he would receive a different message from the prophet of God. To his credit, he did not ask Jeremiah to lie to him, but to be truthful.

Jeremiah 38:15 NASB

15 And Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, “If I tell you, will you not certainly put me to death? Besides, if I give you advice, you will not listen to me.” 

Jeremiah’s response is telling. Both of their prior meetings resulted in Jeremiah’s imprisonment and very nearly, his death. Additionally, from Jeremiah’s viewpoint, his previous messages had gone unheeded. What would be the point? Herein lies a clue into the vulnerability that Jeremiah felt. His ministry endured for over forty years. In that time, he only found favor with king Josiah, with whom he worked to bring religious reform to the land of Judah. After that, all of Jeremiah’s prophecies fell on deaf ears, on hearts full of hostility. Yet, Jeremiah persevered. He continued to preach God’s Word, no matter the obstinance of the audience. 

Jeremiah 20:8-9 NASB

8 

For each time I speak, I cry aloud;

I proclaim violence and destruction,

Because for me the word of the Lord has [b]resulted

In taunting and derision all day long.

9 

But if I say, “I will not remember Him

Nor speak anymore in His name,”

Then in my heart it becomes like a burning fire

Shut up in my bones;

And I am tired of holding it in,

And I cannot endure it.

In that time, Jeremiah suffered greatly as a result of his preaching. He only had one song. Repent! It wasn’t a popular tune. Jeremiah didn’t have many friends. Such was the life of the prophet. However, Jeremiah remained faithful to God. It is a testament to the strength of his character and an example to all of us to persevere in difficulty. Knowing that God with us is greater than the whole world against us.

Romans 8:31 NASB

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 

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Jeremiah 38:16 NASB

16 But King Zedekiah swore to Jeremiah in secret, saying, “As the Lord lives, who made this [b]life for us, I certainly will not put you to death, nor will I hand you over to these men who are seeking your [c]life.”

Conversely, Zedekiah’s words ring hollow in Jeremiah’s ears. He called this meeting in secret. That can be taken to mean that Zedekiah’s public persona is much different than his private persona. Scripture bears that out. His previous meetings with Jeremiah had been contentious, but he had been surrounded by his officials. They hated Jeremiah and had actively pursued his demise. They accused Jeremiah of being in league with the Babylonians. Certainly, they must have thought that eliminating Jeremiah might alleviate some of the dread they were experiencing during the siege. They wanted control of the narrative. They couldn’t wrest it away from Nebuchadnezzar. He was just outside their gates, starving them out. Maybe, they thought, they could silence God’s Messenger.

James 1:5-8 NASB

They were a bad influence on Zedekiah and therein lies the problem. Zedekiah was unstable. He was double-minded. He presented one persona in public, but quite another in private. His indecision prolonged the siege and thus, the suffering of his citizens, God’s people in Judah.

Jeremiah 38:17-18 NASB

17 So Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, “This is what the Lord God of armies, the God of Israel says: ‘If you will indeed surrender to the officers of the king of Babylon, then [d]you will live, this city will not be burned with fire, and you and your household will [e]survive. 18 But if you do not surrender to the officers of the king of Babylon, then this city will be handed over to the Chaldeans; and they will burn it with fire, and you yourself will not escape from their hands.’”

If you look closely, you’ll see, in God, a trace of irony. He gives Jeremiah a Word for Zedekiah. Zedekiah, the uncertain, unstable ruler has options, exactly two options: surrender to Babylon and live or, continue in rebellion to God’s instruction and… die. Again, in His own way, God is leaving us clues concerning the weakness of character of Zedekiah. He simply could not bring himself to trust God.

Psalm 118:9 NASB

9 

It is better to take refuge in the Lord

Than to trust in noblemen.

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Jeremiah 38:19 NASB

19 Then King Zedekiah said to Jeremiah, “I am in fear of the Jews who have deserted to the Chaldeans, for they may hand me over to them, and they will abuse me.”

Right on cue, Zedekiah responds exactly as Jeremiah’s words predict. Entirely predictable. And… very, very sad. Zedekiah’s indecision will prove costly. 

Jeremiah 38:20 NASB

20 But Jeremiah said, “They will not turn you over. Please [f]obey the Lord in what I am saying to you, so that it may go well for you and [g]you may live.

You can almost hear Jeremiah’s heartbreak. “Please obey God…so that you may live!” Just obey. Just trust. Just have faith. Believe. Jeremiah’s words ache with compassion. Did he draw Zedekiah close? Did he place a comforting hand on Zedekiah’s shoulder? This was a private meeting between two countrymen. Can’t you feel the desire for Zedekiah’s salvation in Jeremiah’s plea?

Jeremiah 38:21-22 NASB

21 But if you keep refusing to surrender, this is the word which the Lord has shown me: 22 ‘Behold, all of the women who have been left in the palace of the king of Judah are going to be brought out to the officers of the king of Babylon; and those women will say,

“[h]Your close friends

Have misled and overpowered you;

While your feet were sunk in the mire,

They turned back.”

Jeremiah reveals that the information that he’s sharing with Zedekiah is pretty much the common opinion among people in the know. Zedekiah’s trust is misplaced. Even the women, those who must remain silent in the presence of men, know the truth. It’s staring them in the face. While Zedekiah’s feet are metaphorically mired in the quicksand of indecision, the very ‘friends to whom he has been listening are abandoning him. And the women know it and will tell it… soon.

Jeremiah 38:23 NASB

23 They are also going to bring out all your wives and your sons to the Chaldeans, and you yourself will not escape from their hand, but will be seized by the hand of the king of Babylon, and this city will be burned with fire.’”

Beloved, God is love. He loves Zedekiah so much that in this very private meeting, he provides Jeremiah with very detailed instructions on how Zedekiah should proceed and a very detailed description of the consequences of Zedekiah’s disobedience… all in advance. That’s love. Don’t mistake it for anything else. God loves us so much that He sent His Son, who sacrificed Himself for us so that we might live eternally in Him. He left us his Word, with the really simple instruction to ... just trust Him. Just trust Him

2 Timothy 4:2 NASB

2 preach the word; be ready [a]in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and [b]exhort, with [c]great patience and instruction

Paul encourages Timothy to preach the Word, whether they want to hear it, or not. This was Jeremiah’s charge as well. Just say (and do) what God says. Then, trust God. Whatever trouble might arise as the result of your trust, God is able to see you through. Be Jeremiah. Speak the Word. Trust God.

 

Selah

wb

Sunday School Lesson for May 9, 2021 - Offering Hope for the Future: Printed Text: Isaiah 29:13-24 NASB; Background Scripture: Isaiah 29 NASB; Devotional Reading: Jeremiah 29:13-24 NASB

 

Key Verse:

Isaiah 29:24 NASB

24 

Those who err in [a]mind will know [b]the truth,

And those who [c]criticize will [d]accept instruction.

The old folk have a saying: “If you’re pointing a finger in accusation, be careful. There are three pointing back at you.” Experienced preachers will say it like this: “Don’t worry, the Word hits the preacher first.” There is so much turmoil in our land and within the Church today. These lessons on the Prophets have highlighted that to me, affirming much of my disgust with where we find ourselves in regards to social, economic, and environmental justice. When speaking in defense of the adulterous women whom the religious zealots wanted to stone, Jesus challenged the religious leaders with these words, “Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.” Scripture records that upon hearing Jesus’ words, the elders dropped their stones first. Today, I am dropping my stones. Open my eyes, Lord, that I might see and understand. Open my ears, Lord, that I hear and be healed.

John 8:7-11 NASB

7 When they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. 9 Now when they heard this, they began leaving, one by one, beginning with the older ones, and He was left alone, and the woman where she was, in the center of the courtyard. 10 And straightening up, Jesus said to her, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” 11 She said, “No one, [a]Lord.” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on do not sin any longer.”]]

Isaiah 29:13 NASB

13 Then the Lord said,

“Because this people approach Me with their [a]words

And honors Me with their lips,

But their heart is far away from Me,

And their [b]reverence for Me [c]consists of the commandment of men that is taught;

“Father, I come before your throne of Grace because of my great need. I need you to know what you know already. If repentance is to be had, it will be had one heart at a time. I’m not ashamed to start here; with myself. While Isaiah’s words were for a Jerusalem that was stubborn and recalcitrant, to read his words from some twenty-seven hundred years ago brings cause for introspection, an opportunity for honest self-reflection. There I am Lord, right there in the verse above. I find that I am least judgmental concerning that for which I should be most concerned. How do I measure up? Is my heart in the right place? The most honest answer is, “not always”. I’m not nearly the ‘Christian’ I think myself to be. Lord, I repent.

Isaiah 29:14 NASB

14 

Therefore behold, I will once again deal marvelously with this people, wondrously marvelous;

And the wisdom of their wise men will perish,

And the understanding of their men who have understanding will be concealed.”

Yet Lord, because of your great Grace, the revelation of which was called ‘wondrously wonderful’ by the Prophet Isaiah, I sometimes take for granted the mercy that you extend toward all of us. In this moment, help me to pause and consider the magnitude of your great love toward me, toward us; all of us. To do so brings me to a place of great awe and reverent fear. Lord, I am in awe of you. Your wonder is too great to fathom, wondrous beyond imagination.

Isaiah 29:15 NASB

15 

Woe to those who deeply hide their [d]plans from the Lord,

And whose deeds are done in a dark place,

And they say, “Who sees us?” or “Who knows us?”

Father, I know you know. You know my deepest secrets, my darkest imaginations. I have no doubt, Lord, that you see me and know. I try to keep up what is sometimes nothing more than a superficial facade. My heart is broken over the condition I find myself in. Certainly, my sins are not hidden from me, Lord. How could they possibly be hidden from you?

Isaiah 29:16 NASB

You turn things around!

Shall the potter be considered [e]as equal with the clay,

That what is made would say to its maker, “He did not make me”;

Or what is formed say to him who formed it, “He has no understanding”

Lord, where I have been presumptuous, please correct me. Let not my humility be deemed false before you. Let not my pride cause me to think of myself more highly than I ought. Truly, Father, you are the Potter, I am but clay. My prayer before you today Lord, is that these thoughts, these meditations from my heart be acceptable in your eyes. I love you, Lord. You, alone are forever worthy of my praise.

Isaiah 29:17 NASB

17 

Is it not yet just a little while

[f]Before Lebanon will be turned into a fertile field,

And the fertile field will be considered as a forest?

Your Word continually reminds me that nothing is too hard for you. You cause Lebanon to be a fertile field. A place that yields sustenance for the people of the land. Then, in its place, you allow a wilderness to blossom, you allow that which has become desolate to find new life. You restore and replenish. You tear down and rebuild. Your Glory is made manifest in seedtime and harvest. 

Isaiah 29:18-19 NASB

18 

On that day those who are deaf will hear words of a book,

And out of their gloom and darkness, the eyes of those who are blind will see.

19 

The afflicted also will increase their joy in the Lord,

And the needy of mankind will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.

Therefore Lord, open our eyes so that we may behold the brightness of your Glory. In doing so, give us a heart for the poor, the down-trodden, the afflicted. Lord, as you have shown mercy, let us show mercy. Your desire is for a church without spot or wrinkle. Open our eyes, Lord, so that we can become self-aware. So that we might repent.

 

Isaiah 29:20-21 NASB

20 

For the ruthless will come to an end and the scorner will be finished,

Indeed all who [g]are intent on doing evil will be eliminated,

21 

Who [h]cause a person to be indicted by a word,

And set a trap for the arbitrator at the gate,

And [i]defraud the one in the right with [j]meaningless arguments.

In these last days, Lord, help us to stand for what is right according to your Word. Help us to be merciful. Help us to love justice. Help us to be conscious of You at all times so that we might walk in humility before you. You have not called us to crush sin, but to love sinners; to provide an avenue for escape to those who cannot find their way. Let our feet be shod with the beautiful Gospel of Peace, the message of Christ crucified on our behalf, resurrected for our justification. Remove from us the heart of stone and give us a heart of flesh. You command us to love. Give us the strength to obey you, so that we might show grace to a world in despair.

Isaiah 29:22-23 NASB

22 Therefore this is what the Lord, who redeemed Abraham, says concerning the house of Jacob:

“Jacob will not be ashamed now, nor will his face turn pale now;

23 

But when [k]he sees his children, the work of My hands, in his midst,

They will sanctify My name;

Indeed, they will sanctify the Holy One of Jacob,

And will stand in awe of the God of Israel.

You are our hope Lord. Help us to demonstrate by our love for one another, our love, and our reverence for you, O Lord. You are my strength and my Redeemer. Because of your great love, I stand in Your Holy Presence. Help me, help us, your Church to walk in Holiness and in Love. Fill me with your Spirit Lord, so that I might always be un-ashamed, but self-aware in your Presence. Fill my heart, so that I might forgive as You have forgiven me. Bless your great Name.

In the Holy and Precious Name of Jesus, our Lord (my Lord),

Amen

(Selah)

wb

John 8:12 NASB

12 Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; the one who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”