Bible Pathways - August 15, 2005

August 15

In Today's Reading:

God's call to Israel; Jeremiah's lamentations for Judah; spiritual and civil corruption; destruction of Judah

The prophet Jeremiah began his public ministry during the reign of King Josiah of Judah (see Jeremiah 1:2). He exposed the worldly, compromising lifestyle of the Israelites when he called them a foolish people, and without understanding; which have eyes, and see not; which have ears, and hear not. . . . this people has . . . a rebellious heart. . . . your sins have withheld good things from you (5:21,23,25). The reason for their lack of understanding was clear — they were rebellious against God in their hearts. Jeremiah lamented: The Word of the LORD is to them a reproach; they have no delight in it. . . . every one is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even to the priest every one deals falsely (6:10-13;). Josiah's grandfather Manasseh and his father Amon were wicked kings who had led the people to forsake God and had encouraged worship of false gods.

However, young Josiah did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in all the way of David his father (ancestor), and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left (II Kings 22:2). No doubt, Jeremiah was a great encouragement and influence on the youthful Josiah. After he had purged the land, Josiah began repairing the Temple and restoring worship of the One True God (II Chronicles 34:8-33). He then initiated a Passover feast unequaled in Israel's history from the days of the judges . . . (and) in all the days of the kings (II Kings 23:22).

Following Josiah's death (see 23:29-30), his son, Jehoahaz reverted to the evil ways of his grandfather Amon and great-grandfather Manasseh (see 23:31-32). With deep concern, we see a parallel between the worship of false gods and the immorality of Judah that led to its fall and the growth of false religions, moral decline, and sexual deviation in America today.

A true Christian desires to worship only the Lord and especially enjoys doing so with other believers where there is reading, studying, and obeying the Word of God. The Apostle Paul was led by the Holy Spirit to warn us: The time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine (teaching); but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned to fables (false teaching) (II Timothy 4:3-5).

Christ Portrayed:

By Jeremiah, whom God commissioned to try (test) the ways of His people (Jeremiah 6:27). Jesus shall one day judge all mankind. God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ (Romans 2:16). Every man's work shall be made manifest (known): for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try (test) every man's work of what sort it is (I Corinthians 3:13).

Word Studies:

4:6 retire, stay not = go in haste, don't delay; 4:22 sottish = devoid of spiritual understanding; 5:10 battlements = branches; 5:13 wind = full of words, but speaking nothing from God; 5:30 wonderful = monstrous, shocking.

Prayer Needs:

Pray for The International Shortwave Radio Broadcast in memory of Mary Williams · Staff: Bernice Rathbone · Government Officials: Rep. Judy Biggert (IL), Justice Stephen Breyer, Rep. Eni Faleomavaega (American Samoa), and Rep. Maxine Waters (CA) · Country: Kuwait (2 million) in the northeastern corner of the Arabian Peninsula · Major languages: Arabic and English · Some religious freedom · 95% Muslim; 4% Christian · Prayer Suggestion: Ask the Lord to work in your life in whatever way pleases Him (Hebrews 13:21).

Optional Reading: 1 Peter 5

Memory Verse for the Week: 2 Thessalonians 1:9