Bible Pathways Daily Bible Reading Devotional

Get guidance on Bible study from C.S. Lewis - Free Course!
<< Bible Pathway

Bible Pathways - Aug. 14, 2009

 

August 14 

Read Jeremiah 1

Highlights In Today's Reading:

God knew Jeremiah long before he was born (1:4-5)! Is the Word of God in your mouth (1:9)? God reminds Judah of its blessings (2:1-7), forsaking Him (2:13), worshiping false gods (2:10-12,26-28). Israel more righteous than Judah (3:6-11); Judah warned (3:14-17); national restoration promised (3:16-18). God speaks (3:22)!

Jeremiah's message focused on the vital importance of obedience to the Word of God. Anything less would lead to idolatry which would be followed by the judgment of God. Jeremiah was commissioned to go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak (1:7). His warning was necessary because the pastors . . . transgressed against Me . . . the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after things that do not profit (2:8).

God then illustrated the kingdom of Judah's sins by charging: For My people have committed two evils; they have forsaken Me the Fountain of Living Waters, and hewed them out . . . broken cisterns, that can hold no water (2:13).

In the desert climate of Israel, especially Judah, water was and still is, the first necessity of existence. To exchange the beautiful and abundant Jordan River and Sea of Galilee — types of God as pure, "the Living Water" — for the best man-made contaminated cistern (reservoir) would be most foolish. But the Lord said the nation of Judah was even more foolish. They were the only people in the world who had received a revelation of the One True God and His Word — the only source of the Water of Life — yet, they had turned to man-made idols.

And later on, He said: Is not My Word like as a fire? saith the Lord; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces? Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets . . . that steal My Words (23:29-30). To steal My Words is to make one's own words or traditions seem more important. This should be of great concern to Christians today.

Unfortunately, some have replaced the one true Guide to life with a substitute written by men for "their profit." But nothing compares to what God has prepared for "our profit." All Scripture . . . is profitable (II Tim. 3:16). A reasonable question to ask ourselves is: "Do the books we read lead us to read and understand the Bible, or do they become a substitute for what God has to say?"

In the midst of opposition, Jeremiah triumphantly proclaimed: Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and Thy Word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of my heart: for I am called by Thy Name, O Lord God of hosts (Jer. 15:16).

Thought for Today:

For with Thee is the fountain of life: in Thy light shall we see light (Ps. 36:9).

Christ Revealed:

As the Fountain of Living Waters (Jer.2:13). Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink (John 7:37-38; also 4:1-26).

Word Studies:

2:3 offend = be held guilty; 2:14 spoiled = laid waste, plundered; 2:18 Sihor = the Nile River; the river = the Euphrates; 2:31 lords = independent; 2:33 trimmest . . . thy way to seek love = do good (as a show to impress) to get love; 3:2 been lien with = acted like a prostitute; 3:9 lightness = shameless behavior; 3:10 feignedly = deceptively.

Prayer Needs:

Pray for English International Shortwave Broadcasts sponsored by Betty J. Graves Staff: Clarence Rathbone • Government Official: Rep. Louise Slaughter (NY) • Country: Andorra (78,000) in the eastern Pyrenees between France and Spain • Major languages: Catalan and French • Official freedom of religion • 94% Christian; 5% non-Religious; .6% Muslim; .4% Other • Prayer Suggestion: Confess and forsake any known sin (Neh. 1:6).

Optional Reading: 1 Peter 4

Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 10:28



More Bible Pathway Articles