POLITE NOTICE..... THIS IS A DETAILED STUDY OF JEREMIAH'S PRAYER. ITS QUITE HEAVY... ITS FOR THOSE THAT ARE MATURE OR SEEKING TO MATURE IN GOD. ALSO FOR WHOEVER IS SERIOUS ABOUT SORTING AND DIAGNOSING. PROBLEMS IN ONES LIFE THAT ARE OF GRAND CONCERN.
MOST IMPORTANT- ITS FOR OUR CHILDREN WHO MIGHT GROW UP IN A SOCIETY WHERE THEY DON'T TEACH ABOUT GOD'S RESPONSE TO SIN, AS IT HAS STARTED TODAY. FEW CHURCHES TEACH ABOUT SIN OR GOD'S REACTION TO SIN AND DISOBEDIENCE AND IDOLATRY.
WHAT IS IDOLATRY TODAY?.... ANYTHING THAT U SET YR AFFECTION ON, MORE THAN GOD. ANYTHING THAT CONSUMES U IN SUCH A WAY THAT U SPEND MOST OF YR TIME IN. ALMOST WORSHIP. EXAMPLES.... MONEY, BUSINESS, WORK, PEOPLE SOMETHING THAT U PASSIONATELY ADORE.... ASK THE HOLY GHOST TO SHOW U IDOLS IN YR LIFE. ASK SINCERELY HE WILL SHOW U. ITS HIS JOB TO GET THE BRIDE OF CHRIST READY !!
DEFILEMENT OF THE TEMPLE -U SEE GOD IS HOLY...THERE IS A REASON WHY HE WANTS TO BE DEFINED AS A HOLY GOD. IN ORDER TO PROTECT HIS HOLINESS HE GIVES SPECIFIC INSTRUCTION ON HOW HIS BUSINESS SHOULD BE CONDUCTED. SO MUCH DETAIL AND MEASUREMENTS COLOURS etc WHY? ITS BECAUSE HE WANTS U NOT TO GIVE HIM WHAT IS PROFANE- LAME, DIRTY, NOT UP TO STANDARD. HE SAYS SO MANY TIMES IN THE WORD I AM HOLY....THAT MEANS WHAT EVER U BRING TO ME MUST MEET THE STANDARDS OH A HOLY PERSON. THEN GOD GOES AHEAD AND PROVIDES THE MEANS OF SANCTIFICATION SO THAT U DON'T HAVE AN EXCUSE. THE BLOOD.... IT WAS READILY AVAILABLE WHETHER OF ANIMALS OR INDEED OF CHRIST GOD MADE SURE U CANT SAY "I DIDN'T HAVE THE SANCTIFYING MEDIUM". TAKE SPECIFIC CARE FOR THAT WHICH U WANT TO PRESENT TO YR FATHER IN HEAVEN. WHETHER ITS A SONG YR SELF, PRAYER, ANY SERVICE. REMEMBER GOD HAS NEVER GIVEN MAN SECOND HAND ANYTHING. HE GAVE US CHRIST HIS BEST, HIMSELF, PAUL SAYS GOD WAS IN CHRIST RECONCILING THE WORLD TO HIMSELF. EVEN THE ANIMALS OFFERED TO GOD IN THE OLD TESTAMENT HAD TO BE PURE WITHOUT BLEMISH. GOD MADE SURE MAN KNOWS WHAT HE EXPECTS, SO THAT GOD WILL NEVER HAVE TO THROW WHAT MAN BRINGS TO HIM, BUT ALAS ISRAEL BECAME CARELESS, STARTED BRINGING LAME THINGS TO GOD,. MALACHI COMPLAINS OF THE GIFTS MAN BROUGHT TO GOD. AFTERWARDS GOD WAS SILENT FOR 400 YRS UNTIL THE MINISTRY OF CHRIST IN THE GOSPELS WHERE HE STARTED AGAIN WITH THE BIRTH OF JESUS, WHO HAD COME TO SANCTIFY US WITH HIS BLOOD SO THAT ONCE AGAIN WE CAN OFFER HOLY SACRIFICES. I AM TAKING THIS TIME TO HELP U UNDERSTAND WHY GOD REJECTED ISRAEL SO THAT WE DON'T FALL IN THE SAME TRAP.
THE WORD SAYS CHRIST HAS COME TO MAKE US KINGS AND PRIESTS TO HIS GOD (REV 1VS 6). WHEN GOD MEETS ISRAEL AT MOUNT SINAI HE SAID HE WILL MAKE THEM A KINGDOM OF PRIESTS A HOLY NATION( EXODUS 19VS 6). NOW WHEN THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR MAKING PRIESTLY GARMENTS CAME THEY WERE TO WEAR A TURBAN ON THEIR FOREHEADS WRITTEN HOLINESS TO THE LORD. WHY FOREHEAD? IS IT BECAUSE ITS THE MOST CONSPICUOUS PLACE IN A PERSON? REMEMBER GOD WAS COMING TO DWELL WITH THEM AS HE IS DWELLING IN U TODAY, SO 2 CORINTHIANS 7 VS 1 SAYS THERE FOR HAVING THESE PROMISES....(.what promises if u go back to the end of chapter 6 He had just told them again that He will DWELL AMONG THEM. 2 CORINTH 6 VS 11-18.) SO PAUL SAYS ...BELOVED LET US CLEANSE OURSELVES FROM ALL FILTHINESS OF THE FLESH AND SPIRIT PERFECTING HOLINESS IN THE FEAR OF GOD. I HUMBLY ASK U TO REVISIT THE HOLINESS ISSUE IN YR LIFE SO THAT U DON'T END UP OFFERING WHAT IS PROFANE OR DEFILING GODS TEMPLE YR BODY AND U END UP LIKE ISRAEL CAST OUT OF GODS SIGHT. WE HAVE BEEN ENTRUSTED WITH THE MOST PRECIOUS POSSESSION OF GOD HIS SPIRIT, THE HOLY SPIRIT, A PERSON WHO IS DEFINED BY HOLINESS ... THIS HOLY PERSON HAS COME ALL THE WAY FROM HEAVEN TO COME AND LIVE IN U. HE IS HOLY.... THIS IS JUST TO HELP U BE A HOST TO A HOLY GOD.....WATCH OUT WHERE U TAKE HIM, WHAT U LET HIM SEE AND HEAR AND DO THRU U, HE LIVES IN U AND IS WITH U ALL THE TIME,. WOE IS ME... A MAN OF UNCLEAN LIPS I HAVE A HOLY GOD LIVING IN ME.!!!!!!!!!
IF U FIND IT TOO HEAVY OR DISTURBING GO TO THE HOLY GHOST WHO LED ME IN THIS STUDY I SPENT SO MANY HOURS ON IT. ASK HIM TO HELP U DIGEST IT BIT BY BIT.
BACKGROUND
JEREMIAH was a prophet from a priestly town of Anathoth. His name means "YAHWEH EXALTS". He prophesied during the reigns of different kings eg JOSIAH, JEHOAHAZ, JEHOIACHIN AND ZEDEKIAH. We are mainly concerned with his prayers during the reign of Zedekiah. Although Josiah had been a good king because of his reforms that didn't last long after his death. Israel went back to Idolatry which angered GOD GREATLY. Because of idolatry which God calls ADULTERY OR FORNICATION (simply because Israel was God's wife, Jer 31v32) HE had to give them a divorce, send them away to captivity, away from his Land, Remove HIS presence from them culminating in the destruction of the TEMPLE, which to them was a sign that GOD WAS WITH THEM. Also another reason for sending them away was because Israel had been disobedient in not giving the LAND its due 7 yr SABBATH REST. 2 CHRONICLES 36 VS 11-21. THE BIBLE RECORDS THERE, THE FALL OF JERUSALEM AND THE REASONS WHY. QUITE FASCINATING IS THE FACT THAT - the reasons given there are what is prevalent in our lives today.
2-He rebelled from an oath Sworn by GOD .hmmmmm.
3-Stiffened his neck and hardened his heart towards turning to the GOD OF Israel. (REBELLION AND DISOBEDIENCE) REFUSING TO REPENT OF KNOWN SINS.
4-Idolatry, abominations of the nations, and defilement of GODS HOUSE. Today yr body is the temple of the Living God. (1 Corinthians 6v19).
5-despising warnings from GOD, Mocking his messengers, Scoffing at His prophets.
6- vs 21 issue of giving the land rest.
All these reasons are what the Bible EXPLAINS as GOD's reasons for sending ISRAEL AND JUDAH to captivity.
NB- DO THEY DEFINE OUR SOCIETY TODAY, INCLUDING THE CHURCH ,(BRIDE OF CHRIST). Being BRIDE OF CHRIST STILL MEANS U R GOD'S WIFE LIKE ISRAEL, JESUS IS GOD.
DO CHECK, if yr life is clear of these sins that led God to throw away( HIS WIFE,) -( ISRAEL- HOSEA 2VS 14-23, )-LET THE ENEMY PLUNDER HIS TEMPLE, LET GENTILES GET INTO THE HOLY OF HOLLIES WHERE ONLY THE HIGH PRIEST HAD ACCESS, BUT ONLY AFTER SUCH VIGOROUS CLEANSING RITUALS AND STILL IF HE MISSED A BIT HE COULD DIE. GENTILES WENT INTO THE HOLY OF HOLLIES AND DEFILED EVERYTHING THERE, TOOK THE VESSELS USED FOR WORSHIP WENT AND USED THEM IN THE WORSHIP OF THEIR gods. PHEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!. U need to understand how these sins would have Angered God in such a way that the Bible says HIS WRATH WAS KINDLED AGAINST HIS PEOPLE UNTIL THERE WAS NO REMEDY! 2Chronicles 36vs 15 -21.
Its a record of God's action that every child of God, Bride of Christ, Serious Christian should know! why because The Bible says JESUS CHRIST (GOD) IS THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY, AND FORE EVER!.(HEBREWS 13 VS 8,) THAT MAKES ME SO UNCOMFORTABLE, BECAUSE IF HE IS THE SAME GOD, WHO DELIVERED HIS PEOPLE TO CAPTIVITY BECAUSE OF SINS THAT ARE MORE PREVALENT TODAY THAN YESTERDAY ... WHERE DOES THAT LEAVE ME AND U. THE CHURCH?
BACK TO JEREMIAH'S PRAYERS!
IN JER 32-33 The bible records that King Zedekiah had put The Prophet in Prison because He had warned him of the impending judgement and prophesied about the future of the king. 32vs 1-5. BUT while he was in prison, THE WORD OF GOD CAME TO HIM.!!! WOW. THIS EXCITES ME. JOHN SAYS JESUS IS THE WORD, THAT WAS IN THE BEGINNING, And JESUS SAID ALL THAT THE FATHER GIVES HIM HE DOESN'T LOSE ANY!.SO ALTHOUGH THE KING HAD SHUT THE PROPHET AWAY IN PRISON, WHERE NO ONE KNEW WHERE HE WAS ..THE WORD KNEW. THE WORD FOUND HIM, FOR GOD HAD A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PROPHET HE SPOKE THRU HIM.
What excites me is that HE located him in prison and didn't say lets get out of here He said LETS DO BUSINESS! LETS BUY HOUSES AND PROPERTIES FIELDS.. SO THE PROPHET WITH THE WORD STARTED TO WEIGH MONEY IN PRISON, SIGN DEEDS AND HE CONTINUED TO PROPHESY(.VS 14-15.. ) THUS SAYS THE LORD OF HOSTS HOUSES , FIELDS, AND VINEYARDS SHALL BE POSSESSED BOUGHT AGAIN IN THIS LAND...????? THE LAND WAS UNDER SIEGE!.
NOW AFTER ALL THIS EXCITEMENT, REALITY HIT HIM....HE WENT TO GOD TO PRESENT HIS PARADOX...32VS16-25. HE starts by saying AH LORD GOD BEHOLD.....see ... THEN HE WORSHIPS,VS17-20, REMINDS GOD HIS HISTORY WITH HIS PEOPLE 21-, ACKNOWLEDGES THEIR SINS VS-23 DISOBEDIENCE, THEN THE REALITY 24-25.
LOOK THE SIEGE MOUNDS THEY HAVE COME TO CAPTURE THE CITY, THERE IS SWORD, DEATH, HUNGER,FAMINE,AND PESTILENCE...U SEE IT...YET U SAY BUY THE FIELD FOR MONEY, TAKE WITNESSES....BUT THE CITY HAS BEEN GIVEN TO THE ENEMY!!!. PROBABLY THERE WOULD BE NO CITY TOMORROW OR THE WITNESSES WD ALL BE DEAD!
ISN'T THIS WHERE WE FIND OURSELVES TODAY!?. WHAT DO U DO WHEN ON ONE HAND U HAVE GODS WONDERFUL PROMISES ( I know the plans i have for u plans of peace and not of evil, to give u a future and hope Jer 29 vs11-12, buy lands and houses and vineyards 32vs14-15, A New Covenant..etc. AND WHEN U LOOK OUTSIDE YR DOOR TO REALITY, THERE IS DEATH. HUNGER, PESTILENCE, DISEASES CONFUSION, ITS A DESERT NO SIGN OF LIFE OR PROGRESS, ONLY FEAR, THREATS OF DESTRUCTION DIVORCE, BILLS NO HOPE?
WHAT DO U DO WITH LIFE'S PARADOXES AND CONFUSIONS?
LETS INTERACT WITH JEREMIAH
1- We know GOD spoke thru him.
2- He had a relationship with GOD.
3-He could hear clearly from GOD for God told him about Hanamel his Uncle's son coming and indeed it happened as he had heard from GOD.
SO he is a man we can TRUST.
WHAT DID JEREMIAH DO?
1-He went back to GOD who had given him the word and the promises.
He knew how to approach GOD, not accusing of confusing BUT WORSHIPED.
-What does worship do?...Pleases GOD, makes HIM attentive, Brings HIM down, HE inhabits the praises of HIS people. ITS the ATMOSPHERE OF HEAVEN AROUND THE THRONE, ITS THE LANGUAGE OF HEAVEN. WORSHIP TELLS GOD U HAVE FAITH IN HIM, U KNOW WHO HE IS, eg despite what u see u still boast of his Greatness, THAT confuses the enemy!. That pleases GOD.
2- He was realistic about the situation, He didn't deny that there were siege mounds, war, death, hunger,etc he didn't bind anything or loose, He took the situation to His GOD, THE ONLY ONE WHO COULD MAKE SENSE OF WHAT WAS HAPPENING AND WITH THE RIGHT ATTITUDE LIKE A SON WHO SAYS DADDY WE HAVE A PROBLEM, ...
3- HE acknowledged their sin as Having brought about this situation, not blaming GOD for failing to Deliver.
He had Faith that GOD can fix the problem so he went to him.
4 Despite being in prison for GOD'S WORK he was not bitter towards GOD nor do we hear him say " WHY ARE U TALKING TO ME DON'T U REALISE I'M IN PRISON BECAUSE OF YR WORK? TAKE ME OUT ETC. HE still worshiped! wow! Talked of GOD'S GREAT POWER! OUTSTRETCHED ARM NOTHING TOO HARD FOR U.
GOD RESPONDED!
WHAT DID GOD DO?
GOD according to Jeremiah...(JER 32VS17-19,) u see GOD WILL RELATE WITH U AT A LEVEL THAT U UNDERSTAND, or yr level of knowledge. u need to move from baby stage, to a level where GOD can tell u Kingdom business. Where yr relationship with HIM is not defined by circumstances, what u see, what HE has done or what He hasn't done!. Where He is LORD whether ministry has got u into prison or into A palace. Married or unmarried where u worship in the valley or on the mountaintop. u see even if u r in the valley, THERE GROWS THE LILY OF THE VALLEY U NOT ALONE. AND ITS NOT FOUND ON THE MOUNTAIN TOP ITS FOR THOSE GOING THRU THE VALLEY...GOING THROUGH.
Jeremiah understood GOD AS THE-1 CREATOR OF HEAVEN AND EARTH...somebody who can create out of nothing., WHOSE power can bring about order out of a situation like GENESIS1 where there was no form,voidness, and only deep darkness AS long as he understood God as the creator despite the situation He also realised the THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS HOVERING OVER THE SITUATION. HE also understood that God would soon speak!.
2-GOD HAS GREAT POWER AND AN OUTSTRETCHED ARM....He can do anything and his arm IS ALWAYS READY TO ACT.
3- NOTHING IS TOO HARD FOR HIM.... HE CAN DO WHATEVER HE LIKES WHENEVER HE LIKES.
4.SHOWS LOVING KINDNESS BUT DOES NOT IGNORE INIQUITY REPAYS..
5- MIGHTY,GREAT, THE LORD OF HOSTS.... meaning He also is a warrior, Has his own army HE could use on those who had besieged the.
6- GREAT in counsel mighty in work..WHO SEES EVERYTHING THAT GOES ON, ON EARTH and rewards everyone according to their works... helps u reap what u sow....A JUST AND RIGHTEOUS GOD ..(JUSTICE AND RIGHTEOUSNESS ARE THE FOUNDATION OF HIS THRONE).
GOD RESPONDS.....BEHOLD!
I AM THE LORD THE GOD OF FLESH IS THERE ANYTHING TOO HARD FOR ME? WOW! JEREMIAH WAS RIGHT NOTHING IS TOO HARD FOR HIM!.
But ALL HIS OTHER ATTRIBUTES STAND AS WELL... HOLINESS, JUSTICE, RIGHTEOUSNESS HATRED FOR IDOLATRY ETC JUST AS JEREMIAH HAD SAD. GOD AGREED WITH HIM BUT HE WOULD NOT DEFER HIS JUDGEMENT ANY LONGER THE TIME HAD COME!
NB... GOD STARTED TO EXPLAIN THAT HE COULD DO ANYTHING THERE IS NOTHING TOO HARD FOR HIM ie He could change the situation BUT ............LIKE a father talking to a mature Son , He starts to explain why the situation was like that.
GOD CONFIRMS THAT ITS HIS DOING! HE HAS GIVEN THE CITY OVER TO THEIR ENEMY THEY WILL BURN IT ON THE VERY HOUSES WHERE THEY OFFERED INCENSE TO BAAL TO PROVOKE ME TO ANGER. JER 32VS29-36. GOD EXPLAINS WHY?!.
IF U HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD U REALISE THAT MUST HAVE CAUSED HIM PAIN.
GOD POURS HIS HEART TO HIS SERVANT ON WHAT PROVOKED HIM TO ANGER AND ALLOW SUCH PAIN TO COME TO HIS INHERITANCE. VS 31 IS VERY SEVERE....FOR THIS CITY HAS BEEN TO ME A PROVOCATION OF MY ANGER AND MY FURY FROM THE DAY THAT THEY BUILT IT TO THIS DAY EVEN TO THIS DAY. SO I WILL REMOVE IT FROM BEFORE MY FACE....
AFTER GOD HAD EXPLAINED THE SITUATION HE UNVEILS THE RESTORATION PLAN....
JUST LIKE A LOVER WHO IS STILL IN LOVE WITH A CHEATING WIFE, HE SAYS HE WILL RESTORE... PRAISE GOD! HE THEN TALKS OF GATHERING THEM AGAIN AND SAFETY. THEY WILL BE MY PEOPLE AGAIN...VS 37-44 ARE VERY TOUCHING. DESPITE HIS PAIN GOD CAN NEVER KEEP HIS ANGER FOR EVER. HE SAYS HE WILL DO GOOD FOR THEM AND YES HOUSES AND VINEYARDS WILL BE BOUGHT AGAIN IN THIS PLACE. I LOVE GOD HE IS SO COMPASSIONATE. THE FORCE OF LOVE WITHIN HIM FAILED TO ALLOW HIM TO TURN HIS FACE FOREVER, EVEN THOUGH HE HAD BEEN PROVOKED. U GET SUCH A SENSE OF LOVE, COMPASSION, DEDICATION AND MERCY THAT IS BEYOND COMPREHENSION. HE IS WORTHY OF OUR PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING. HE IS FAITHFUL.
WELL after all this GOD must have left Jeremiah to DIGEST....BECAUSE JEREMIAH SAYS IN JEREMIAH 33 VS 1-3...THE WORD CAME TO ME AGAIN THE SECOND TIME, WHILE I WAS STILL SHUT UP IN PRISON... (NOTHING HAD CHANGED IN THE PROPHET'S LIFE STILL IN PRISON...) THE LORD STILL TELLS HIM, HE IS THE CREATOR AND HAS A MESSAGE FOR HIM..... ITS NOT I WILL GET U OUT OF PRISON... NO ITS... CALL UNTO ME AND I WILL ANSWER U AND SHOW U GREAT AND MIGHTY THINGS THAT U KNOW NOTHING ABOUT.... REVELATION... BUT U HAVE TO PER SUE IT DESPITE YR SITUATION. ITS NOT PERSONAL REVELATION, BUT ITS FOR YR PEOPLE.....
IN CHAPTER 33 GOD TALKS OF RESTORATION. GOODNESS, HEALTH, HEALING, PEACE TRUTH, MARRIAGES.... ALL THE THINGS THAT GOD HAD DESIRED AND ORDAINED FOR ISRAEL IN THE FIRST PLACE.
FROM VS 19-26 HE PROMISES A NEW COVENANT A PERMANENT ONE WHICH SHALL NEVER BE REMOVED.....PERMANENT RESTORATION.!.
WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM THIS PRAYER?
1-AS A CHILD OF GOD, BRIDE OF CHRIST ETC....
-WHEN u get into a confusing life paradox.... GO BACK TO GOD.
-CRITICALLY ASSESS YR LIFE.
IS THERE ANY SIN, DISOBEDIENCE, OMIT ION, CARELESSNESS IN YR LIFE THAT MIGHT HAVE BROUGHT THIS SITUATION? NB. U COULD BE IN PRISON LIKE JEREMIAH YET U THE ONLY GOOD GUY. GOD REJECTED ZEDEKIAH FOR HIS DISRESPECT TOWARDS THE PROPHET... BUT HE DID NOT REMOVE THE PROPHET FROM PRISON OR KILL ZEDEKIAH... HE JUST VISITED HIM IN PRISON AND THEY STARTED TO TALK... IF U R IN PRISON FOR PROCLAIMING GOD'S WORD CHEER UP! U MIGHT BE THE ONLY ONE SAFE ENOUGH TO BUY HOUSES, IE .DO BUSINESS, GET REVELATION...etc. maybe being in prison was the safest place for the prophet, where he could be fed, and where without seeing the daily evils prevalent in that day, HE could still worship, hear from GOD AND INQUIRE on behalf of the nation. In prison JEREMIAH managed to continue his ministry rather than being outside where it was dangerous and people didn't like him.
-GOD is wise His wisdom is unsearchable. He knows the safest place for u at a particular time!.
-GO to GOD with the right attitude like JEREMIAH.
-FOLLOW THE RIGHT PROTOCOL..WORSHIP.. SHOW GOD U KNOW WHO HE IS, DESPITE THE SITUATION.
-ACKNOWLEDGE YR CONTRIBUTION IN THE SITUATION CONFESS SIN, DANIEL ALSO DID (DANIEL 9VS 1-19.) SAME PROTOCOL USED BY JEREMIAH, GOD ANSWERED DANIEL'S PRAYER. GOD ANSWERS PRAYER THAT START WITH PRAISE AND WORSHIP... (I WILL ENTER HIS GATES WITH THANKSGIVING IN MY HEART, I WILL ENTER HIS COURTS WITH PRAISE...I WILL SAY...) NOTE ITS AN ACT OF SELF WILL. U HAVE TO DETERMINE IN YR HEART YR STRATEGY OF COMING TO GOD. IF U COME IN BITTERNESS, ANGER, ACCUSATION U HAVE NO PLACE AMONG THE MATURE TO WHOM GOD CAN FELLOWSHIP WITH. AS A DISTRESSED CHILD GOD MIGHT SEND AN ANGEL TO CALM YR SPIRIT BUT THAT'S ALL. U WONT GET TO DISCUSS THE SITUATION WITH THE KING OF KINGS. Which l find very fascinating, God opening His HEART to men and sharing HIS feelings and emotions with HIS creation..WOW!.
---LEARN HOW GOD DEALS WITH SIN ...LEARN GOD'S CHARACTER.....
1- GOD DOES NOT TOLERATE SIN FOREVER , HE MAY WINK AT TIMES OF IGNORANCE BUT AS U MATURE HE COMMANDS U TO REPENT.Acts 17 vs 30-31.
-U CAN NOT AFFORD TO CONTINUE IN SIN AND DISOBEDIENCE FOREVER REPENT. SIN ALSO OPENS THE DOOR FOR THE ENEMY TO ATTACK U. ITS FOR YR OWN GOOD. GOD IS JUST AND RIGHTEOUS HE HATES SIN...(BUT U OH LORD ARE OF A PURER EYE TO BEHOLD INIQUITY.) HABAKKUK 1VS 13.
2- HE HATES IDOLATRY SO MUCH THAT HE LET HIS WIFE (ISRAEL) GO TO CAPTIVITY AND BE PLUNDERED. HE REMOVED HIS PROTECTION AS A HUSBAND TO THEM SO THAT HE WOULD NOT SEE THEM AGAIN.... GOD CALLED IDOLATRY ADULTERY... MEANING WHEN ISRAEL WAS SACRIFICING TO IDOLS IT FELT LIKE A MAN WATCHING HIS WIFE WITH ANOTHER MAN!.. HE REMOVED ISRAEL FROM HIS FACE PREFERRING NOT TO SEE HER AGAIN ...(READ THE STORY OF HOSEA AND GOMMER) ITS THE STORY OF GOD AND ISRAEL.
3- GOD HATES PROFANE THINGS WHICH ARE DEFILED BEING OFFERED TO HIM. EVEN IF ITS WORSHIP IF ITS DEFILED HE WONT ACCEPT IT. HE IS A HOLLY GOD.
GOD LET THE GENTILES PLUNDER HIS TEMPLE GET INTO THE HOLY OF THE HOLLIES AND CARRY AWAY HIS VESSELS.
4-DANIEL CH5 VS 1-30....- GOD STILL CARED FOR HIS VESSELS FOR EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE IN BABYLON, IN EXILE, IN THE TEMPLE OF A FALSE GOD, WHEN KING BELSHAZZAR USED THEM FOR HIS PARTY, DEEP IN THE PALACE WHERE NOBODY OF JEWISH ORIGIN KNEW, WHEN EVEN THOSE THAT HAD GIVEN THESE VESSELS HAD LONG FORGOTTEN AND LOST HOPE, AS SOON AS THEY RAISED THEM TO THEIR FALSE gods GOD SHOWED UP!!! THE FINGER OF A MAN,S HAND APPEARED AND STARTED TO WRITE HIS JUDGEMENT. GLORY TO GOD! WHAT A MIGHTY GOD WE SERVE. I FEEL LIKE BOWING DOWN IN REVERENCE AND WORSHIP RIGHT THERE. AWAY IN A FOREIGN LAND GOD KNEW WHERE HIS VESSELS WERE. AS SOON AS THEY RAISED THEM TO FALSE gods HE SHOWED UP TO FIGHT FOR HIS VESSELS.. THAT WHICH HAD BEEN DEDICATED TO HIM A LONG TIME AGO. THE VESSELS COULDN'T FIGHT FOR THEMSELVES BUT GOD SHOWED UP. HE IS A JEALOUS GOD. IF U WERE DEDICATED TO HIM ONE DAY WHETHER AS A CHILD OR WHEN U GOT BORN AGAIN HE KNOWS WHERE U R. HIS EYE IS ON U. IF U R IN A SITUATION WHERE U CANT FIGHT FOR YR SELF HE WILL SHOW UP. U R HIS VESSEL WHERE EVER U R. MAYBE U USED TO SHINE FOR HIM IN SUNDAY SCHOOL LONG AGO HE STILL KNOWS U AND WHERE U R ONE DAY HE WILL SHOW UP. IT MIGHT BE AFTER MANY YRS. NB THAT KING LOST HIS LIFE AND THE WHOLE KINGDOM CAME UNDER JUDGEMENT JUST BECAUSE OF VESSELS....
-NB- HE MIGHT NOT HAVE UNDERSTOOD WHAT THOSE VESSELS MEANT TO GOD OR WHAT USING THEM IN HIS IDOL WORSHIP MEANT BUT GOD JUDGED HIM ANYWHERE... PLEADING IGNORANCE DIDN'T WORK! BE CAREFUL WITH WHAT EVER WAS DEDICATED AND SANCTIFIED TO GOD. TOUCH NOT MINE ANOINTED! U MIGHT PUT YR CHILDREN IN DANGER... BELSHAZZAR WAS A SON OF NEBUCHADNEZZAR, WHO HAD BROUGHT THE ARTICLES FROM GOD'S HOUSE IN JERUSALEM HE DIDN'T USE THEM HIMSELF, BUT STORED THEM AWAY....BUT HIS SON, MAYBE IGNORANT OF WHAT THEY WERE, USED THEM AND BROUGHT JUDGEMENT TO HIMSELF AND HIS KINGDOM. PEOPLE PERISH BECAUSE OF LACK OF KNOWLEDGE THAT'S WHY I'M SPENDING SO MUCH TIME IN THIS STUDY TO HELP U UNDERSTAND THAT THE GOD WE SERVE IS SERIOUS ABOUT HIS WORSHIP. DON'T TAKE HIM FOR GRANTED HE IS A LOVING FATHER YES BUT ALSO THERE IS A SIDE TO HIM THAT IS MORE FIERCE THAN ANYTHING U KNOW ....HIS HATRED OF SIN AND IDOLATRY!.
LASTLY....GOD TAKES HIS INSTRUCTION SERIOUSLY....EVERYTHING THAT COMES OUT OF HIS MOUTH, ITS NOT FOR FUN ITS BECAUSE HE CARES. NB WHEN GOD SAID TO ISRAEL AFTER 7 YRS LET THE LAND REST... WHO WD HAVE KNOWN THAT EVERY SEVEN YRS HE WAS WATCHING? PROBABLY PEOPLE HAD FORGOTTEN BUT HE HAD COMMANDED REST FOR THE LAND. WE MAY SPEND A LOT OF TIME ON THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THAT BUT I JUST WANT TO PUT IT AS THE PERIL OF AN IGNORED SIMPLE INSTRUCTION. LEVITICUS 25 VS1-7 AND 8-13. OBVIOUSLY SINCE THE INSTRUCTION WAS GIVEN TO ISRAEL ABOUT 700 OR MORE YRS AGO, GOD STILL EXPECTED THEM TO FOLLOW IT. IT WAS SPOKEN BY GOD SO IT WAS IMPORTANT. GOD PUTS THAT AS A REASON TO SEND THEM TO CAPTIVITY SO THAT HIS LAND COULD FINALLY REST!. WHAT INSTRUCTION HAVE WE IGNORED IN OUR LIVES THAT ARE CAUSING PROBLEMS? CAN WE PLEAD IGNORANCE?
FINALLY MY BRETHREN REMEMBER-1- ISRAEL WAS RESTORED. BUT IT WAS THE REMNANT! GOD KEPT HIS PROMISE BUT TO THEIR CHILDREN AFTER MORE THAN 70 YRS. THOSE THAT HAD HURT HIM PERISHED IN EXILE.
2-GOD DID THE SAME WITH THOSE THAT LEFT EGYPT. (ISRAEL), WHO AFTER THEY HAD SEEN HIS MIRACLES MADE AN IDOL OF GOLD AND SAID THIS IS THE GOD WHO BROUGHT US OUT OF EGYPT( EXODUS 32VS 4-5) ALL THOSE PERISHED IN THE WILDERNESS 40 YRS WANDERING FAILING TO MAKE A JOURNEY THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO TAKE 11 DAYS. ONLY 3 ENTERED THE PROMISED LAND 2 ALIVE AND THE THIRD ONE -BONES! GOD'S CHARACTER IS CONSISTENT TOWARDS SIN CONTRARY TO WHAT WE HAVE BEEN TAUGHT CONFUSING GRACE. GRACE DOESN'T GIVE US LICENCE TO SIN, ITS FOR OUR TRESPASSES..FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES NOT PERMANENT DWELLING OF SIN AND DISOBEDIENCE.
REMEMBER AFTER JEREMIAH HAD WORSHIPED AND PRAISED GOD HE SAID I WILL RESTORE BUT TO THE REMNANT...NOT TO THOSE WHO HAD PROVOKED HIM TO ANGER. SO WORSHIP WITHOUT SORTING THE ISSUES IN YR LIFE MIGHT GET U A RESTORATION AND A PERMANENT COVENANT BUT FOR YR CHILDREN..... TAKE CARE!.
-THANKS
PASTOR NOMSA JONAH.
IF U NEED PRIVACY PLIZ EMAIL ME AT pastornomsa@gmail.com.
MOST IMPORTANT- ITS FOR OUR CHILDREN WHO MIGHT GROW UP IN A SOCIETY WHERE THEY DON'T TEACH ABOUT GOD'S RESPONSE TO SIN, AS IT HAS STARTED TODAY. FEW CHURCHES TEACH ABOUT SIN OR GOD'S REACTION TO SIN AND DISOBEDIENCE AND IDOLATRY.
WHAT IS IDOLATRY TODAY?.... ANYTHING THAT U SET YR AFFECTION ON, MORE THAN GOD. ANYTHING THAT CONSUMES U IN SUCH A WAY THAT U SPEND MOST OF YR TIME IN. ALMOST WORSHIP. EXAMPLES.... MONEY, BUSINESS, WORK, PEOPLE SOMETHING THAT U PASSIONATELY ADORE.... ASK THE HOLY GHOST TO SHOW U IDOLS IN YR LIFE. ASK SINCERELY HE WILL SHOW U. ITS HIS JOB TO GET THE BRIDE OF CHRIST READY !!
DEFILEMENT OF THE TEMPLE -U SEE GOD IS HOLY...THERE IS A REASON WHY HE WANTS TO BE DEFINED AS A HOLY GOD. IN ORDER TO PROTECT HIS HOLINESS HE GIVES SPECIFIC INSTRUCTION ON HOW HIS BUSINESS SHOULD BE CONDUCTED. SO MUCH DETAIL AND MEASUREMENTS COLOURS etc WHY? ITS BECAUSE HE WANTS U NOT TO GIVE HIM WHAT IS PROFANE- LAME, DIRTY, NOT UP TO STANDARD. HE SAYS SO MANY TIMES IN THE WORD I AM HOLY....THAT MEANS WHAT EVER U BRING TO ME MUST MEET THE STANDARDS OH A HOLY PERSON. THEN GOD GOES AHEAD AND PROVIDES THE MEANS OF SANCTIFICATION SO THAT U DON'T HAVE AN EXCUSE. THE BLOOD.... IT WAS READILY AVAILABLE WHETHER OF ANIMALS OR INDEED OF CHRIST GOD MADE SURE U CANT SAY "I DIDN'T HAVE THE SANCTIFYING MEDIUM". TAKE SPECIFIC CARE FOR THAT WHICH U WANT TO PRESENT TO YR FATHER IN HEAVEN. WHETHER ITS A SONG YR SELF, PRAYER, ANY SERVICE. REMEMBER GOD HAS NEVER GIVEN MAN SECOND HAND ANYTHING. HE GAVE US CHRIST HIS BEST, HIMSELF, PAUL SAYS GOD WAS IN CHRIST RECONCILING THE WORLD TO HIMSELF. EVEN THE ANIMALS OFFERED TO GOD IN THE OLD TESTAMENT HAD TO BE PURE WITHOUT BLEMISH. GOD MADE SURE MAN KNOWS WHAT HE EXPECTS, SO THAT GOD WILL NEVER HAVE TO THROW WHAT MAN BRINGS TO HIM, BUT ALAS ISRAEL BECAME CARELESS, STARTED BRINGING LAME THINGS TO GOD,. MALACHI COMPLAINS OF THE GIFTS MAN BROUGHT TO GOD. AFTERWARDS GOD WAS SILENT FOR 400 YRS UNTIL THE MINISTRY OF CHRIST IN THE GOSPELS WHERE HE STARTED AGAIN WITH THE BIRTH OF JESUS, WHO HAD COME TO SANCTIFY US WITH HIS BLOOD SO THAT ONCE AGAIN WE CAN OFFER HOLY SACRIFICES. I AM TAKING THIS TIME TO HELP U UNDERSTAND WHY GOD REJECTED ISRAEL SO THAT WE DON'T FALL IN THE SAME TRAP.
THE WORD SAYS CHRIST HAS COME TO MAKE US KINGS AND PRIESTS TO HIS GOD (REV 1VS 6). WHEN GOD MEETS ISRAEL AT MOUNT SINAI HE SAID HE WILL MAKE THEM A KINGDOM OF PRIESTS A HOLY NATION( EXODUS 19VS 6). NOW WHEN THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR MAKING PRIESTLY GARMENTS CAME THEY WERE TO WEAR A TURBAN ON THEIR FOREHEADS WRITTEN HOLINESS TO THE LORD. WHY FOREHEAD? IS IT BECAUSE ITS THE MOST CONSPICUOUS PLACE IN A PERSON? REMEMBER GOD WAS COMING TO DWELL WITH THEM AS HE IS DWELLING IN U TODAY, SO 2 CORINTHIANS 7 VS 1 SAYS THERE FOR HAVING THESE PROMISES....(.what promises if u go back to the end of chapter 6 He had just told them again that He will DWELL AMONG THEM. 2 CORINTH 6 VS 11-18.) SO PAUL SAYS ...BELOVED LET US CLEANSE OURSELVES FROM ALL FILTHINESS OF THE FLESH AND SPIRIT PERFECTING HOLINESS IN THE FEAR OF GOD. I HUMBLY ASK U TO REVISIT THE HOLINESS ISSUE IN YR LIFE SO THAT U DON'T END UP OFFERING WHAT IS PROFANE OR DEFILING GODS TEMPLE YR BODY AND U END UP LIKE ISRAEL CAST OUT OF GODS SIGHT. WE HAVE BEEN ENTRUSTED WITH THE MOST PRECIOUS POSSESSION OF GOD HIS SPIRIT, THE HOLY SPIRIT, A PERSON WHO IS DEFINED BY HOLINESS ... THIS HOLY PERSON HAS COME ALL THE WAY FROM HEAVEN TO COME AND LIVE IN U. HE IS HOLY.... THIS IS JUST TO HELP U BE A HOST TO A HOLY GOD.....WATCH OUT WHERE U TAKE HIM, WHAT U LET HIM SEE AND HEAR AND DO THRU U, HE LIVES IN U AND IS WITH U ALL THE TIME,. WOE IS ME... A MAN OF UNCLEAN LIPS I HAVE A HOLY GOD LIVING IN ME.!!!!!!!!!
IF U FIND IT TOO HEAVY OR DISTURBING GO TO THE HOLY GHOST WHO LED ME IN THIS STUDY I SPENT SO MANY HOURS ON IT. ASK HIM TO HELP U DIGEST IT BIT BY BIT.
BACKGROUND
JEREMIAH was a prophet from a priestly town of Anathoth. His name means "YAHWEH EXALTS". He prophesied during the reigns of different kings eg JOSIAH, JEHOAHAZ, JEHOIACHIN AND ZEDEKIAH. We are mainly concerned with his prayers during the reign of Zedekiah. Although Josiah had been a good king because of his reforms that didn't last long after his death. Israel went back to Idolatry which angered GOD GREATLY. Because of idolatry which God calls ADULTERY OR FORNICATION (simply because Israel was God's wife, Jer 31v32) HE had to give them a divorce, send them away to captivity, away from his Land, Remove HIS presence from them culminating in the destruction of the TEMPLE, which to them was a sign that GOD WAS WITH THEM. Also another reason for sending them away was because Israel had been disobedient in not giving the LAND its due 7 yr SABBATH REST. 2 CHRONICLES 36 VS 11-21. THE BIBLE RECORDS THERE, THE FALL OF JERUSALEM AND THE REASONS WHY. QUITE FASCINATING IS THE FACT THAT - the reasons given there are what is prevalent in our lives today.
2-He rebelled from an oath Sworn by GOD .hmmmmm.
3-Stiffened his neck and hardened his heart towards turning to the GOD OF Israel. (REBELLION AND DISOBEDIENCE) REFUSING TO REPENT OF KNOWN SINS.
4-Idolatry, abominations of the nations, and defilement of GODS HOUSE. Today yr body is the temple of the Living God. (1 Corinthians 6v19).
5-despising warnings from GOD, Mocking his messengers, Scoffing at His prophets.
6- vs 21 issue of giving the land rest.
All these reasons are what the Bible EXPLAINS as GOD's reasons for sending ISRAEL AND JUDAH to captivity.
NB- DO THEY DEFINE OUR SOCIETY TODAY, INCLUDING THE CHURCH ,(BRIDE OF CHRIST). Being BRIDE OF CHRIST STILL MEANS U R GOD'S WIFE LIKE ISRAEL, JESUS IS GOD.
DO CHECK, if yr life is clear of these sins that led God to throw away( HIS WIFE,) -( ISRAEL- HOSEA 2VS 14-23, )-LET THE ENEMY PLUNDER HIS TEMPLE, LET GENTILES GET INTO THE HOLY OF HOLLIES WHERE ONLY THE HIGH PRIEST HAD ACCESS, BUT ONLY AFTER SUCH VIGOROUS CLEANSING RITUALS AND STILL IF HE MISSED A BIT HE COULD DIE. GENTILES WENT INTO THE HOLY OF HOLLIES AND DEFILED EVERYTHING THERE, TOOK THE VESSELS USED FOR WORSHIP WENT AND USED THEM IN THE WORSHIP OF THEIR gods. PHEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!. U need to understand how these sins would have Angered God in such a way that the Bible says HIS WRATH WAS KINDLED AGAINST HIS PEOPLE UNTIL THERE WAS NO REMEDY! 2Chronicles 36vs 15 -21.
Its a record of God's action that every child of God, Bride of Christ, Serious Christian should know! why because The Bible says JESUS CHRIST (GOD) IS THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY, AND FORE EVER!.(HEBREWS 13 VS 8,) THAT MAKES ME SO UNCOMFORTABLE, BECAUSE IF HE IS THE SAME GOD, WHO DELIVERED HIS PEOPLE TO CAPTIVITY BECAUSE OF SINS THAT ARE MORE PREVALENT TODAY THAN YESTERDAY ... WHERE DOES THAT LEAVE ME AND U. THE CHURCH?
BACK TO JEREMIAH'S PRAYERS!
IN JER 32-33 The bible records that King Zedekiah had put The Prophet in Prison because He had warned him of the impending judgement and prophesied about the future of the king. 32vs 1-5. BUT while he was in prison, THE WORD OF GOD CAME TO HIM.!!! WOW. THIS EXCITES ME. JOHN SAYS JESUS IS THE WORD, THAT WAS IN THE BEGINNING, And JESUS SAID ALL THAT THE FATHER GIVES HIM HE DOESN'T LOSE ANY!.SO ALTHOUGH THE KING HAD SHUT THE PROPHET AWAY IN PRISON, WHERE NO ONE KNEW WHERE HE WAS ..THE WORD KNEW. THE WORD FOUND HIM, FOR GOD HAD A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PROPHET HE SPOKE THRU HIM.
What excites me is that HE located him in prison and didn't say lets get out of here He said LETS DO BUSINESS! LETS BUY HOUSES AND PROPERTIES FIELDS.. SO THE PROPHET WITH THE WORD STARTED TO WEIGH MONEY IN PRISON, SIGN DEEDS AND HE CONTINUED TO PROPHESY(.VS 14-15.. ) THUS SAYS THE LORD OF HOSTS HOUSES , FIELDS, AND VINEYARDS SHALL BE POSSESSED BOUGHT AGAIN IN THIS LAND...????? THE LAND WAS UNDER SIEGE!.
NOW AFTER ALL THIS EXCITEMENT, REALITY HIT HIM....HE WENT TO GOD TO PRESENT HIS PARADOX...32VS16-25. HE starts by saying AH LORD GOD BEHOLD.....see ... THEN HE WORSHIPS,VS17-20, REMINDS GOD HIS HISTORY WITH HIS PEOPLE 21-, ACKNOWLEDGES THEIR SINS VS-23 DISOBEDIENCE, THEN THE REALITY 24-25.
LOOK THE SIEGE MOUNDS THEY HAVE COME TO CAPTURE THE CITY, THERE IS SWORD, DEATH, HUNGER,FAMINE,AND PESTILENCE...U SEE IT...YET U SAY BUY THE FIELD FOR MONEY, TAKE WITNESSES....BUT THE CITY HAS BEEN GIVEN TO THE ENEMY!!!. PROBABLY THERE WOULD BE NO CITY TOMORROW OR THE WITNESSES WD ALL BE DEAD!
ISN'T THIS WHERE WE FIND OURSELVES TODAY!?. WHAT DO U DO WHEN ON ONE HAND U HAVE GODS WONDERFUL PROMISES ( I know the plans i have for u plans of peace and not of evil, to give u a future and hope Jer 29 vs11-12, buy lands and houses and vineyards 32vs14-15, A New Covenant..etc. AND WHEN U LOOK OUTSIDE YR DOOR TO REALITY, THERE IS DEATH. HUNGER, PESTILENCE, DISEASES CONFUSION, ITS A DESERT NO SIGN OF LIFE OR PROGRESS, ONLY FEAR, THREATS OF DESTRUCTION DIVORCE, BILLS NO HOPE?
WHAT DO U DO WITH LIFE'S PARADOXES AND CONFUSIONS?
LETS INTERACT WITH JEREMIAH
1- We know GOD spoke thru him.
2- He had a relationship with GOD.
3-He could hear clearly from GOD for God told him about Hanamel his Uncle's son coming and indeed it happened as he had heard from GOD.
SO he is a man we can TRUST.
WHAT DID JEREMIAH DO?
1-He went back to GOD who had given him the word and the promises.
He knew how to approach GOD, not accusing of confusing BUT WORSHIPED.
-What does worship do?...Pleases GOD, makes HIM attentive, Brings HIM down, HE inhabits the praises of HIS people. ITS the ATMOSPHERE OF HEAVEN AROUND THE THRONE, ITS THE LANGUAGE OF HEAVEN. WORSHIP TELLS GOD U HAVE FAITH IN HIM, U KNOW WHO HE IS, eg despite what u see u still boast of his Greatness, THAT confuses the enemy!. That pleases GOD.
2- He was realistic about the situation, He didn't deny that there were siege mounds, war, death, hunger,etc he didn't bind anything or loose, He took the situation to His GOD, THE ONLY ONE WHO COULD MAKE SENSE OF WHAT WAS HAPPENING AND WITH THE RIGHT ATTITUDE LIKE A SON WHO SAYS DADDY WE HAVE A PROBLEM, ...
3- HE acknowledged their sin as Having brought about this situation, not blaming GOD for failing to Deliver.
He had Faith that GOD can fix the problem so he went to him.
4 Despite being in prison for GOD'S WORK he was not bitter towards GOD nor do we hear him say " WHY ARE U TALKING TO ME DON'T U REALISE I'M IN PRISON BECAUSE OF YR WORK? TAKE ME OUT ETC. HE still worshiped! wow! Talked of GOD'S GREAT POWER! OUTSTRETCHED ARM NOTHING TOO HARD FOR U.
GOD RESPONDED!
WHAT DID GOD DO?
GOD according to Jeremiah...(JER 32VS17-19,) u see GOD WILL RELATE WITH U AT A LEVEL THAT U UNDERSTAND, or yr level of knowledge. u need to move from baby stage, to a level where GOD can tell u Kingdom business. Where yr relationship with HIM is not defined by circumstances, what u see, what HE has done or what He hasn't done!. Where He is LORD whether ministry has got u into prison or into A palace. Married or unmarried where u worship in the valley or on the mountaintop. u see even if u r in the valley, THERE GROWS THE LILY OF THE VALLEY U NOT ALONE. AND ITS NOT FOUND ON THE MOUNTAIN TOP ITS FOR THOSE GOING THRU THE VALLEY...GOING THROUGH.
Jeremiah understood GOD AS THE-1 CREATOR OF HEAVEN AND EARTH...somebody who can create out of nothing., WHOSE power can bring about order out of a situation like GENESIS1 where there was no form,voidness, and only deep darkness AS long as he understood God as the creator despite the situation He also realised the THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS HOVERING OVER THE SITUATION. HE also understood that God would soon speak!.
2-GOD HAS GREAT POWER AND AN OUTSTRETCHED ARM....He can do anything and his arm IS ALWAYS READY TO ACT.
3- NOTHING IS TOO HARD FOR HIM.... HE CAN DO WHATEVER HE LIKES WHENEVER HE LIKES.
4.SHOWS LOVING KINDNESS BUT DOES NOT IGNORE INIQUITY REPAYS..
5- MIGHTY,GREAT, THE LORD OF HOSTS.... meaning He also is a warrior, Has his own army HE could use on those who had besieged the.
6- GREAT in counsel mighty in work..WHO SEES EVERYTHING THAT GOES ON, ON EARTH and rewards everyone according to their works... helps u reap what u sow....A JUST AND RIGHTEOUS GOD ..(JUSTICE AND RIGHTEOUSNESS ARE THE FOUNDATION OF HIS THRONE).
GOD RESPONDS.....BEHOLD!
I AM THE LORD THE GOD OF FLESH IS THERE ANYTHING TOO HARD FOR ME? WOW! JEREMIAH WAS RIGHT NOTHING IS TOO HARD FOR HIM!.
But ALL HIS OTHER ATTRIBUTES STAND AS WELL... HOLINESS, JUSTICE, RIGHTEOUSNESS HATRED FOR IDOLATRY ETC JUST AS JEREMIAH HAD SAD. GOD AGREED WITH HIM BUT HE WOULD NOT DEFER HIS JUDGEMENT ANY LONGER THE TIME HAD COME!
NB... GOD STARTED TO EXPLAIN THAT HE COULD DO ANYTHING THERE IS NOTHING TOO HARD FOR HIM ie He could change the situation BUT ............LIKE a father talking to a mature Son , He starts to explain why the situation was like that.
GOD CONFIRMS THAT ITS HIS DOING! HE HAS GIVEN THE CITY OVER TO THEIR ENEMY THEY WILL BURN IT ON THE VERY HOUSES WHERE THEY OFFERED INCENSE TO BAAL TO PROVOKE ME TO ANGER. JER 32VS29-36. GOD EXPLAINS WHY?!.
IF U HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD U REALISE THAT MUST HAVE CAUSED HIM PAIN.
GOD POURS HIS HEART TO HIS SERVANT ON WHAT PROVOKED HIM TO ANGER AND ALLOW SUCH PAIN TO COME TO HIS INHERITANCE. VS 31 IS VERY SEVERE....FOR THIS CITY HAS BEEN TO ME A PROVOCATION OF MY ANGER AND MY FURY FROM THE DAY THAT THEY BUILT IT TO THIS DAY EVEN TO THIS DAY. SO I WILL REMOVE IT FROM BEFORE MY FACE....
AFTER GOD HAD EXPLAINED THE SITUATION HE UNVEILS THE RESTORATION PLAN....
JUST LIKE A LOVER WHO IS STILL IN LOVE WITH A CHEATING WIFE, HE SAYS HE WILL RESTORE... PRAISE GOD! HE THEN TALKS OF GATHERING THEM AGAIN AND SAFETY. THEY WILL BE MY PEOPLE AGAIN...VS 37-44 ARE VERY TOUCHING. DESPITE HIS PAIN GOD CAN NEVER KEEP HIS ANGER FOR EVER. HE SAYS HE WILL DO GOOD FOR THEM AND YES HOUSES AND VINEYARDS WILL BE BOUGHT AGAIN IN THIS PLACE. I LOVE GOD HE IS SO COMPASSIONATE. THE FORCE OF LOVE WITHIN HIM FAILED TO ALLOW HIM TO TURN HIS FACE FOREVER, EVEN THOUGH HE HAD BEEN PROVOKED. U GET SUCH A SENSE OF LOVE, COMPASSION, DEDICATION AND MERCY THAT IS BEYOND COMPREHENSION. HE IS WORTHY OF OUR PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING. HE IS FAITHFUL.
WELL after all this GOD must have left Jeremiah to DIGEST....BECAUSE JEREMIAH SAYS IN JEREMIAH 33 VS 1-3...THE WORD CAME TO ME AGAIN THE SECOND TIME, WHILE I WAS STILL SHUT UP IN PRISON... (NOTHING HAD CHANGED IN THE PROPHET'S LIFE STILL IN PRISON...) THE LORD STILL TELLS HIM, HE IS THE CREATOR AND HAS A MESSAGE FOR HIM..... ITS NOT I WILL GET U OUT OF PRISON... NO ITS... CALL UNTO ME AND I WILL ANSWER U AND SHOW U GREAT AND MIGHTY THINGS THAT U KNOW NOTHING ABOUT.... REVELATION... BUT U HAVE TO PER SUE IT DESPITE YR SITUATION. ITS NOT PERSONAL REVELATION, BUT ITS FOR YR PEOPLE.....
IN CHAPTER 33 GOD TALKS OF RESTORATION. GOODNESS, HEALTH, HEALING, PEACE TRUTH, MARRIAGES.... ALL THE THINGS THAT GOD HAD DESIRED AND ORDAINED FOR ISRAEL IN THE FIRST PLACE.
FROM VS 19-26 HE PROMISES A NEW COVENANT A PERMANENT ONE WHICH SHALL NEVER BE REMOVED.....PERMANENT RESTORATION.!.
WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM THIS PRAYER?
1-AS A CHILD OF GOD, BRIDE OF CHRIST ETC....
-WHEN u get into a confusing life paradox.... GO BACK TO GOD.
-CRITICALLY ASSESS YR LIFE.
IS THERE ANY SIN, DISOBEDIENCE, OMIT ION, CARELESSNESS IN YR LIFE THAT MIGHT HAVE BROUGHT THIS SITUATION? NB. U COULD BE IN PRISON LIKE JEREMIAH YET U THE ONLY GOOD GUY. GOD REJECTED ZEDEKIAH FOR HIS DISRESPECT TOWARDS THE PROPHET... BUT HE DID NOT REMOVE THE PROPHET FROM PRISON OR KILL ZEDEKIAH... HE JUST VISITED HIM IN PRISON AND THEY STARTED TO TALK... IF U R IN PRISON FOR PROCLAIMING GOD'S WORD CHEER UP! U MIGHT BE THE ONLY ONE SAFE ENOUGH TO BUY HOUSES, IE .DO BUSINESS, GET REVELATION...etc. maybe being in prison was the safest place for the prophet, where he could be fed, and where without seeing the daily evils prevalent in that day, HE could still worship, hear from GOD AND INQUIRE on behalf of the nation. In prison JEREMIAH managed to continue his ministry rather than being outside where it was dangerous and people didn't like him.
-GOD is wise His wisdom is unsearchable. He knows the safest place for u at a particular time!.
-GO to GOD with the right attitude like JEREMIAH.
-FOLLOW THE RIGHT PROTOCOL..WORSHIP.. SHOW GOD U KNOW WHO HE IS, DESPITE THE SITUATION.
-ACKNOWLEDGE YR CONTRIBUTION IN THE SITUATION CONFESS SIN, DANIEL ALSO DID (DANIEL 9VS 1-19.) SAME PROTOCOL USED BY JEREMIAH, GOD ANSWERED DANIEL'S PRAYER. GOD ANSWERS PRAYER THAT START WITH PRAISE AND WORSHIP... (I WILL ENTER HIS GATES WITH THANKSGIVING IN MY HEART, I WILL ENTER HIS COURTS WITH PRAISE...I WILL SAY...) NOTE ITS AN ACT OF SELF WILL. U HAVE TO DETERMINE IN YR HEART YR STRATEGY OF COMING TO GOD. IF U COME IN BITTERNESS, ANGER, ACCUSATION U HAVE NO PLACE AMONG THE MATURE TO WHOM GOD CAN FELLOWSHIP WITH. AS A DISTRESSED CHILD GOD MIGHT SEND AN ANGEL TO CALM YR SPIRIT BUT THAT'S ALL. U WONT GET TO DISCUSS THE SITUATION WITH THE KING OF KINGS. Which l find very fascinating, God opening His HEART to men and sharing HIS feelings and emotions with HIS creation..WOW!.
---LEARN HOW GOD DEALS WITH SIN ...LEARN GOD'S CHARACTER.....
1- GOD DOES NOT TOLERATE SIN FOREVER , HE MAY WINK AT TIMES OF IGNORANCE BUT AS U MATURE HE COMMANDS U TO REPENT.Acts 17 vs 30-31.
-U CAN NOT AFFORD TO CONTINUE IN SIN AND DISOBEDIENCE FOREVER REPENT. SIN ALSO OPENS THE DOOR FOR THE ENEMY TO ATTACK U. ITS FOR YR OWN GOOD. GOD IS JUST AND RIGHTEOUS HE HATES SIN...(BUT U OH LORD ARE OF A PURER EYE TO BEHOLD INIQUITY.) HABAKKUK 1VS 13.
ACCORDING TO THE WORD GOD DEALS RADICALLY WITH SIN....
1- HE KILLED HIMSELF TO DO AWAY WITH SIN FROM U.2- HE HATES IDOLATRY SO MUCH THAT HE LET HIS WIFE (ISRAEL) GO TO CAPTIVITY AND BE PLUNDERED. HE REMOVED HIS PROTECTION AS A HUSBAND TO THEM SO THAT HE WOULD NOT SEE THEM AGAIN.... GOD CALLED IDOLATRY ADULTERY... MEANING WHEN ISRAEL WAS SACRIFICING TO IDOLS IT FELT LIKE A MAN WATCHING HIS WIFE WITH ANOTHER MAN!.. HE REMOVED ISRAEL FROM HIS FACE PREFERRING NOT TO SEE HER AGAIN ...(READ THE STORY OF HOSEA AND GOMMER) ITS THE STORY OF GOD AND ISRAEL.
3- GOD HATES PROFANE THINGS WHICH ARE DEFILED BEING OFFERED TO HIM. EVEN IF ITS WORSHIP IF ITS DEFILED HE WONT ACCEPT IT. HE IS A HOLLY GOD.
GOD LET THE GENTILES PLUNDER HIS TEMPLE GET INTO THE HOLY OF THE HOLLIES AND CARRY AWAY HIS VESSELS.
4-DANIEL CH5 VS 1-30....- GOD STILL CARED FOR HIS VESSELS FOR EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE IN BABYLON, IN EXILE, IN THE TEMPLE OF A FALSE GOD, WHEN KING BELSHAZZAR USED THEM FOR HIS PARTY, DEEP IN THE PALACE WHERE NOBODY OF JEWISH ORIGIN KNEW, WHEN EVEN THOSE THAT HAD GIVEN THESE VESSELS HAD LONG FORGOTTEN AND LOST HOPE, AS SOON AS THEY RAISED THEM TO THEIR FALSE gods GOD SHOWED UP!!! THE FINGER OF A MAN,S HAND APPEARED AND STARTED TO WRITE HIS JUDGEMENT. GLORY TO GOD! WHAT A MIGHTY GOD WE SERVE. I FEEL LIKE BOWING DOWN IN REVERENCE AND WORSHIP RIGHT THERE. AWAY IN A FOREIGN LAND GOD KNEW WHERE HIS VESSELS WERE. AS SOON AS THEY RAISED THEM TO FALSE gods HE SHOWED UP TO FIGHT FOR HIS VESSELS.. THAT WHICH HAD BEEN DEDICATED TO HIM A LONG TIME AGO. THE VESSELS COULDN'T FIGHT FOR THEMSELVES BUT GOD SHOWED UP. HE IS A JEALOUS GOD. IF U WERE DEDICATED TO HIM ONE DAY WHETHER AS A CHILD OR WHEN U GOT BORN AGAIN HE KNOWS WHERE U R. HIS EYE IS ON U. IF U R IN A SITUATION WHERE U CANT FIGHT FOR YR SELF HE WILL SHOW UP. U R HIS VESSEL WHERE EVER U R. MAYBE U USED TO SHINE FOR HIM IN SUNDAY SCHOOL LONG AGO HE STILL KNOWS U AND WHERE U R ONE DAY HE WILL SHOW UP. IT MIGHT BE AFTER MANY YRS. NB THAT KING LOST HIS LIFE AND THE WHOLE KINGDOM CAME UNDER JUDGEMENT JUST BECAUSE OF VESSELS....
-NB- HE MIGHT NOT HAVE UNDERSTOOD WHAT THOSE VESSELS MEANT TO GOD OR WHAT USING THEM IN HIS IDOL WORSHIP MEANT BUT GOD JUDGED HIM ANYWHERE... PLEADING IGNORANCE DIDN'T WORK! BE CAREFUL WITH WHAT EVER WAS DEDICATED AND SANCTIFIED TO GOD. TOUCH NOT MINE ANOINTED! U MIGHT PUT YR CHILDREN IN DANGER... BELSHAZZAR WAS A SON OF NEBUCHADNEZZAR, WHO HAD BROUGHT THE ARTICLES FROM GOD'S HOUSE IN JERUSALEM HE DIDN'T USE THEM HIMSELF, BUT STORED THEM AWAY....BUT HIS SON, MAYBE IGNORANT OF WHAT THEY WERE, USED THEM AND BROUGHT JUDGEMENT TO HIMSELF AND HIS KINGDOM. PEOPLE PERISH BECAUSE OF LACK OF KNOWLEDGE THAT'S WHY I'M SPENDING SO MUCH TIME IN THIS STUDY TO HELP U UNDERSTAND THAT THE GOD WE SERVE IS SERIOUS ABOUT HIS WORSHIP. DON'T TAKE HIM FOR GRANTED HE IS A LOVING FATHER YES BUT ALSO THERE IS A SIDE TO HIM THAT IS MORE FIERCE THAN ANYTHING U KNOW ....HIS HATRED OF SIN AND IDOLATRY!.
LASTLY....GOD TAKES HIS INSTRUCTION SERIOUSLY....EVERYTHING THAT COMES OUT OF HIS MOUTH, ITS NOT FOR FUN ITS BECAUSE HE CARES. NB WHEN GOD SAID TO ISRAEL AFTER 7 YRS LET THE LAND REST... WHO WD HAVE KNOWN THAT EVERY SEVEN YRS HE WAS WATCHING? PROBABLY PEOPLE HAD FORGOTTEN BUT HE HAD COMMANDED REST FOR THE LAND. WE MAY SPEND A LOT OF TIME ON THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THAT BUT I JUST WANT TO PUT IT AS THE PERIL OF AN IGNORED SIMPLE INSTRUCTION. LEVITICUS 25 VS1-7 AND 8-13. OBVIOUSLY SINCE THE INSTRUCTION WAS GIVEN TO ISRAEL ABOUT 700 OR MORE YRS AGO, GOD STILL EXPECTED THEM TO FOLLOW IT. IT WAS SPOKEN BY GOD SO IT WAS IMPORTANT. GOD PUTS THAT AS A REASON TO SEND THEM TO CAPTIVITY SO THAT HIS LAND COULD FINALLY REST!. WHAT INSTRUCTION HAVE WE IGNORED IN OUR LIVES THAT ARE CAUSING PROBLEMS? CAN WE PLEAD IGNORANCE?
FINALLY MY BRETHREN REMEMBER-1- ISRAEL WAS RESTORED. BUT IT WAS THE REMNANT! GOD KEPT HIS PROMISE BUT TO THEIR CHILDREN AFTER MORE THAN 70 YRS. THOSE THAT HAD HURT HIM PERISHED IN EXILE.
2-GOD DID THE SAME WITH THOSE THAT LEFT EGYPT. (ISRAEL), WHO AFTER THEY HAD SEEN HIS MIRACLES MADE AN IDOL OF GOLD AND SAID THIS IS THE GOD WHO BROUGHT US OUT OF EGYPT( EXODUS 32VS 4-5) ALL THOSE PERISHED IN THE WILDERNESS 40 YRS WANDERING FAILING TO MAKE A JOURNEY THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO TAKE 11 DAYS. ONLY 3 ENTERED THE PROMISED LAND 2 ALIVE AND THE THIRD ONE -BONES! GOD'S CHARACTER IS CONSISTENT TOWARDS SIN CONTRARY TO WHAT WE HAVE BEEN TAUGHT CONFUSING GRACE. GRACE DOESN'T GIVE US LICENCE TO SIN, ITS FOR OUR TRESPASSES..FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES NOT PERMANENT DWELLING OF SIN AND DISOBEDIENCE.
REMEMBER AFTER JEREMIAH HAD WORSHIPED AND PRAISED GOD HE SAID I WILL RESTORE BUT TO THE REMNANT...NOT TO THOSE WHO HAD PROVOKED HIM TO ANGER. SO WORSHIP WITHOUT SORTING THE ISSUES IN YR LIFE MIGHT GET U A RESTORATION AND A PERMANENT COVENANT BUT FOR YR CHILDREN..... TAKE CARE!.
-THANKS
PASTOR NOMSA JONAH.
IF U NEED PRIVACY PLIZ EMAIL ME AT pastornomsa@gmail.com.
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