Bible Pathways - Aug. 17, 2006

Jeremiah 11

In Today's Reading:

Jeremiah's proclamation of God's Covenant; plot against Jeremiah; Jeremiah's complaint; ruined girdle (belt); filled bottles; famine

All Israelites were called to be holy and to serve the Lord, as He said to Moses: I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves (live in obedience to the Word of God), and ye shall be holy (Leviticus 11:44). And, in return, God promised to provide all their needs. Instead, the majority of the people had forsaken the Lord to worship idols. To illustrate their failure, the Lord directed Jeremiah to get thee a linen girdle (a sash-like belt), and put it upon thy loins, and put it not in water (to wash it) (Jeremiah 13:1). Hebrew men wore tunics — long, loose, gown-like garments. To hold the tunic close to the body while working, they wore a sash-like belt around the waist called a "girdle." The girdle represented the close relationship of the Israelites to Jehovah (Yahweh).

Jeremiah reports that, eventually, the Word of the LORD came unto me the second time, saying, Take the girdle . . . and . . . go to Euphrates, and hide it there in a hole of the rock. So I went, and hid it by Euphrates, as the LORD commanded me. And it came to pass after many days, that the LORD said unto me, Arise, go to Euphrates, and take the girdle from thence, which I commanded thee to hide there. Then I went to Euphrates, and digged, and took the girdle from the place where I had hid it: and, behold, the girdle was marred (rotted, ruined), it was profitable for nothing (13:3-7). The girdle represented the spiritual condition of the Israelites. Then Jeremiah spoke: Thus saith the LORD. . . . This evil people . . . refuse to hear My words . . . and walk after other gods, to serve them, and to worship them, shall even be as this girdle, which is good for nothing (13:9-10).

Like the Israelites, some today are intent on satisfying self-interests with their talents, time, and tithes while rejecting their opportunities to serve the Lord. Unfortunately, many will discover too late that they have forfeited their God-given opportunities.

The writer of Hebrews admonishes: Lest there be any fornicator, or profane (godless) person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat (food) sold his birthright. . . . See that ye refuse not Him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused Him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from Him that speaketh from heaven (Hebrews 12:16-17,25; also Revelation 20:12).

Christ Revealed:

As the Hope of Israel, the Saviour (Jeremiah 14:8). Christ is the only Hope of all mankind. Looking for that blessed Hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ (Titus 2:13).

Word Studies:

11:15 wrought lewdness =b> done evil things; 11:23 visitation =b> judgment; 12:2 reins =b> heart; 13:22 skirts discovered . . . heels made bare =b> fine clothes torn off as you are driven into exile, barefoot (comp. Nahum 3:5).

Prayer Needs:

Pray for Staff: Diana Hash · Government Officials: Sen. Norm Coleman (MN) and Rep. David Price (NC) Country: Guinea (8 million) on the Atlantic coast of western Africa Major languages: French and tribal languages Freedom for nationals, but strict limitations on missionaries 83% Muslim; 12% tribal religions; 4% Roman Catholic; .6% Protestant · Prayer Suggestion: Pray that you will sanctify the Lord God in your heart (I Peter 3:15).

Optional Reading: II Peter 2

Memory Verse for the Week: Psalms 86:5