Jerusalem's warning

JEREMIAH   CHAPTER 6

God warns Jeremiah's own tribe of Benjamin to flee from Jerusalem because it will be under seige and go toward the town of Tekoa. A warning smoke signal was evident at Beth-hakkerem. The Lord describes the disaster that will make the walls of Jerusalem fall and her people along with it. Even the few who survived the first wave of destruction would be picked like  a vine checked for the grapes that were missed.

The Lord's frustration is described as he finds out his people have their ears closed to his words and will not listen. He pours out his fury over Jerusalem, even children playing in the streets, even gatherings of young men and on husbands and wives and grandparents. He punishes them all and their homes will be turned over to their enemies. Even the prophets and priests only offer superficial treatments and give assurances of peace when all is war. And they are not even ashamed.

From the north will come a great army and a great nation rises against Jerusalem from far-off lands. They will show no mercy. The Lord urges people to not go out into the fields or travel the roads. He tells Jeremiah that he has made him a tester of metals. That Jeremiah can determine the quality of his people.He compares the corruption to bellows that blow fiercely and the refining fire grows hotter, but it will never purify them because there is no purity in them to refine. He labels them "Rejected Silver" because he is discarding them.

HOW DOES THIS CHAPTER RELATE TO US TODAY?  These people of ancient times became angry and closed their ears. They wanted no part of God's commands.  Today people have a tendency to not listen to God's demand for a disciplined life. But we have a responsibility to accept God's word and the way he wants us to live.

Ignoring the word of God has bigtime consequences. Denying the truth does not change anything. God knows our sins and we must confess that we have sinned and ask  his forgiveness. Don't follow the wrong path. Follow God's path to peace and rest for your soul.

The analogy of refining silver is a good one. Why not look at your own life and see what areas of it have been refined by God.

Yours in Christ,
Mary

Prayer Requests are needed for:


HEALTH: Pray for Gabe.

Pray for Arlene’s nephew David and for my neighbor Al who is nearing the end of his life.

Pray for Carolyn’s brother Ronald who has cancer and for her sister Wanda’s soul which went to heaven.

Pray for our friend Michelle who was diagnosed with a form of MS.

Pray for Robert Sargent who is quite ill with lung cancer.

Pray for Gary Summers, my friend from church, who has cancer.

Pray for Judy’s husband who was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. Pray for her too, that she can deal with the side effects of his illness.

Pray too for Charly’s husband Robert who is undergoing chemo for his prostate cancer. Update on Robert: he has one more treatment and then three months of waiting for his psat test to come back clean.

Pray for James’s sister Cynthia whose chemo has lost its effect as the cancer grows powerful.

SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary

RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John

LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter, Brian

SUPPORT: Haiti, Chile, survivors of Japan’s earthquake, survivors of the devastating tornadoes in our southernmost states and Joplin, Missouri. Pray too, for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom.