Been a while since my last post--sorry!
Grant, Almighty God, that as You have not only testified what is right by the Law and the Prophets, in order that we may form our life in obedience to Your will, but have also made more fully known to us by Your gospel what is perfect righteousness--O grant that, being ruled by Your Spirit, we may surrender ourselves altogether to You, and so acquiesce in Your Word alone that we may not deviate either to the right hand or to the left, but allow You alone to be wise, and that acknowledging our folly and vanity, we may allow ourselves to be taught by Your Word, so that we may really prove that we are truly obedient to You until, having at length completed the course of this life, we shall reach that heavenly rest that has been obtained for us by the blood of Your only begotten Son. Amen.
After irrevocably calling Jeremiah to the office of prophet, God gives Jeremiah two visions to convey to him the gravity of the coming events and the need for Jeremiah's obedience. Judah's rampant disobedience had provoked God's wrath, but He would forgive them if they would repent. Jeremiah was God's man to bring them God's message. God also warns Jeremiah that the people would reward him for bringing them God's gracious offer of forgiveness by fighting against him. But God reminds Jeremiah that He will protect him and that they will not prevail against him.
In 1:11, the Word of the LORD came to Jeremiah again (this is a recurring theme throughout the book). God shows Jeremiah a branch of an almond tree, which buds earlier in the spring than all the other trees. There is a play on words here: the Hebrew word for almond (shaqed) is similar to the word for watching (shoqed). God is using this device to tell Jeremiah that He is watching and will carry out His word. Jeremiah can be assured that he won't be spouting empty threats, but that every word he says will come to pass. It is a source of comfort for a messenger to know for certain that he is carrying a true message from a true source. Although it would break his heart, Jeremiah would live to see many of his prophecies fulfilled. Throughout Jeremiah's ministry, God watched over His Word, and performed all that He said He would.
In verses 13 through 16, God gives Jeremiah his first view of the impending disaster. God shows Jeremiah "a boiling pot, facing away from the north." In verses 14 through 17, God tells Jeremiah that the tribes of the north (Babylon) would attack Jerusalem, and that this is God's judgment on Judah for idolatry. What is striking here is that God uses Babylon, a wicked pagan nation, to bring judgment on His own people. Can God use wicked people to chastise the righteous? Absolutely. This is just another example of His sovereignty in the affairs of men. Also striking is that God is using Babylon to judge Judah for the sin of idolatry--the very thing Babylon was notorious for! When this attack was carried out and many people were carried away and exiled in Babylon (see Daniel 1), they were forced under the threat of death in a fiery furnace to worship a golden statue built by King Nebuchadnezzar. The government of Babylon was built on idol worship, but they would be the nation God used to punish Judah for idol worship. Perhaps in their exile in Babylon, the people of Judah would be able to see the ugliness and wickedness of idolatry and would begin to miss the worship of Yahweh. As God's chosen people, Judah should have known better.
We are very often shocked when "Babylonians" act like Babylonians. But we shouldn't be. It shouldn't surprise us when non-Christians behave in non-Christian ways. However, it should be shocking-even heartbreaking-when "Israelites" behave like Babylonians. When professing Christians live lives that are virtually indistinguishable from those of the unbelieving world, we should be shocked and dismayed. This is intolerable to God, and He may even use "Babylonians" to bring shame and reproach upon "Israelites" (see Abraham and Abimelech, Genesis 20:9-10). May God help us to be Israelites indeed, in whom there is no deceit (John 1:47).
Thursday, July 17, 2014
Monday, June 16, 2014
The Call of Jeremiah, part 1 (1:4-10)
Grant, Almighty God, that since You are pleased to kindly invite us to Yourself, and have consecrated Your word for our salvation, O grant that we may willingly and from the heart obey You, and become so teachable that what You have designed for our salvation may not turn to our perdition; but may that incorruptible seed by which you regenerate us into a hope of the celestial life so drive its roots into our hearts, and bring forth fruit, that Your name may be glorified; and may we be so planted in the courts of Your house that we may grow and flourish, and that fruit may appear through the whole course of our life,until we shall at length enjoy that blessed life that is laid up for us in heaven, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
"Now the word of the LORD came to me..." (1:4) Jeremiah makes it clear right away that, although he came from a priestly family in a priestly town, he did not take the office of prophet upon himself, nor would he have. But he states that God's call came to him, without any invitation or anticipation. God specifically chose Jeremiah for this task. In fact, God goes so far as to tell Jeremiah that He created him for the express purpose of being a prophet to the nations. "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated [i.e., set you apart for a holy purpose]; I appointed you a prophet to the nations." (1;5, ESV) Notice there the verbs God used: "I formed, I knew, I consecrated, I appointed." These are all strong verbs that indicate God's absolute sovereignty and control in Jeremiah's life, and they serve as a reminder that this is all God's work; that he is active. At the outset, knowing what we know about Jeremiah's timidity (at least at the beginning), we may wonder why God chose Jeremiah and not a more bold, fearless man to be his messenger, especially given the extremely difficult circumstances of this ministry. I believe God chose Jeremiah because He knew that Jeremiah would have to rely totally on Him and not his own abilities. God chose the weak to shame the strong (1 Corinthians 1:27-29).
Jeremiah voiced his objection to God's call, citing his youth (1:6). Commentators are divided in regards to whether Jeremiah's "youth" refers to his age or merely his lack of experience. I don't think it's feasible to expect that God would choose a child, say 8 or 9 years old, to carry His message, but Jeremiah's ministry lasted forty years, so he probably was fairly young at the time of God's call (maybe around twenty). God didn't disagree with Jeremiah, and He didn't promise him an easy road. He instead promised Jeremiah that He would be the driving force (v. 7) and the delivering force (v. 8) of Jeremiah's ministry. Jeremiah could be reassured that everywhere he went and everything he said would be at God's command, not his own. He could also be reassured that, yes, there would be difficulty and danger, but that God would deliver him. He wouldn't be abandoned.
Jeremiah's objection to God's call was not unlike that of Moses in Exodus 3. Neither man was being disobedient or refusing God or seeking to be excused, both men simply saw their own inadequacy in the face of the task in front of them. And they were right; they were inadequate. But God comforted both of them by promising His presence. Confronting people about their sin and its consequences, or about their reliance on their religious traditions for their standing with God, is a daunting task and we should expect resistance. No one likes to be told that they're not just fine how they are. That's why the message has to come from God, not us. A Christian (well-meaning though he or she may be) who approaches a stranger and tells him that he's going to hell and needs to repent will probably do more harm than good for the Kingdom of God. However, a Christian who shows genuine concern and care for another person, and lovingly explains what God's standards of righteousness are and how we can be reconciled to Him, can expect much more openness and receptivity to the Gospel. People generally won't trust Christ until they trust a Christian. Jeremiah, however, didn't have that luxury.
God touched Jeremiah's mouth and gave him His words (v. 9). He placed his message in Jeremiah's mouth. In later days, when Jeremiah's ministry was exceedingly difficult for him, when he was being greatly persecuted because of God's words, he tried to hold them in so that maybe the persecution would stop; but he was unable to withhold the word of God (20:9). God not only gave Jeremiah His message, He gave him the authority to preach it to anyone and everyone (v 10). Entire nations (not just Judah, all nations of all times) were to be subject to the message God gave him. Even kings were (and are) not exempt. And knowing the magnitude of the task and the frailty of the messenger, God continually draws Jeremiah's attention to Himself ("I have put my words...I have set you...") and away from his own weakness. God wanted to make sure Jeremiah's focus was on Him and not on the size of the task, his own inadequacy, or the position of the people to whom he was to preach. In his commentary on Jeremiah, John Calvin says: "Teachers cannot firmly execute their office except they have the majesty of God before their eyes, so that in comparison with him they may disregard whatever splendor, pomp, or power there may be in men."
Let us always remember that our calling in Christ has very little to do with us and everything to do with Him. It's not about who we are or what we can do; it's all about Christ and what He has already done. Let us always keep the majesty of God before our eyes.
"Now the word of the LORD came to me..." (1:4) Jeremiah makes it clear right away that, although he came from a priestly family in a priestly town, he did not take the office of prophet upon himself, nor would he have. But he states that God's call came to him, without any invitation or anticipation. God specifically chose Jeremiah for this task. In fact, God goes so far as to tell Jeremiah that He created him for the express purpose of being a prophet to the nations. "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated [i.e., set you apart for a holy purpose]; I appointed you a prophet to the nations." (1;5, ESV) Notice there the verbs God used: "I formed, I knew, I consecrated, I appointed." These are all strong verbs that indicate God's absolute sovereignty and control in Jeremiah's life, and they serve as a reminder that this is all God's work; that he is active. At the outset, knowing what we know about Jeremiah's timidity (at least at the beginning), we may wonder why God chose Jeremiah and not a more bold, fearless man to be his messenger, especially given the extremely difficult circumstances of this ministry. I believe God chose Jeremiah because He knew that Jeremiah would have to rely totally on Him and not his own abilities. God chose the weak to shame the strong (1 Corinthians 1:27-29).
Jeremiah voiced his objection to God's call, citing his youth (1:6). Commentators are divided in regards to whether Jeremiah's "youth" refers to his age or merely his lack of experience. I don't think it's feasible to expect that God would choose a child, say 8 or 9 years old, to carry His message, but Jeremiah's ministry lasted forty years, so he probably was fairly young at the time of God's call (maybe around twenty). God didn't disagree with Jeremiah, and He didn't promise him an easy road. He instead promised Jeremiah that He would be the driving force (v. 7) and the delivering force (v. 8) of Jeremiah's ministry. Jeremiah could be reassured that everywhere he went and everything he said would be at God's command, not his own. He could also be reassured that, yes, there would be difficulty and danger, but that God would deliver him. He wouldn't be abandoned.
Jeremiah's objection to God's call was not unlike that of Moses in Exodus 3. Neither man was being disobedient or refusing God or seeking to be excused, both men simply saw their own inadequacy in the face of the task in front of them. And they were right; they were inadequate. But God comforted both of them by promising His presence. Confronting people about their sin and its consequences, or about their reliance on their religious traditions for their standing with God, is a daunting task and we should expect resistance. No one likes to be told that they're not just fine how they are. That's why the message has to come from God, not us. A Christian (well-meaning though he or she may be) who approaches a stranger and tells him that he's going to hell and needs to repent will probably do more harm than good for the Kingdom of God. However, a Christian who shows genuine concern and care for another person, and lovingly explains what God's standards of righteousness are and how we can be reconciled to Him, can expect much more openness and receptivity to the Gospel. People generally won't trust Christ until they trust a Christian. Jeremiah, however, didn't have that luxury.
God touched Jeremiah's mouth and gave him His words (v. 9). He placed his message in Jeremiah's mouth. In later days, when Jeremiah's ministry was exceedingly difficult for him, when he was being greatly persecuted because of God's words, he tried to hold them in so that maybe the persecution would stop; but he was unable to withhold the word of God (20:9). God not only gave Jeremiah His message, He gave him the authority to preach it to anyone and everyone (v 10). Entire nations (not just Judah, all nations of all times) were to be subject to the message God gave him. Even kings were (and are) not exempt. And knowing the magnitude of the task and the frailty of the messenger, God continually draws Jeremiah's attention to Himself ("I have put my words...I have set you...") and away from his own weakness. God wanted to make sure Jeremiah's focus was on Him and not on the size of the task, his own inadequacy, or the position of the people to whom he was to preach. In his commentary on Jeremiah, John Calvin says: "Teachers cannot firmly execute their office except they have the majesty of God before their eyes, so that in comparison with him they may disregard whatever splendor, pomp, or power there may be in men."
Let us always remember that our calling in Christ has very little to do with us and everything to do with Him. It's not about who we are or what we can do; it's all about Christ and what He has already done. Let us always keep the majesty of God before our eyes.
Friday, June 13, 2014
Who was Jeremiah?
Grant, Almighty God, that as You have not only provided for your ancient Church, by choosing Jeremiah as Your servant, but have also designed that the fruit of his labors should continue to our age, O grant that we may not be unthankful to You, but that we may so avail ourselves of so great a benefit, that the fruit of it may appear in us to the glory of Your name; may we learn so entirely to devote ourselves to your service, and each of us be so attentive to the work of our calling, that we may strive with united hearts to promote the honor of Your name, and also the kingdom of Your only-begotten Son, until we finish our warfare, and come at length into that celestial rest, which has been obtained for us by the blood of Your only Son. Amen.
In studying the book of Jeremiah, it's helpful to know as much as possible about its author. Jeremiah tells us in the first verse of the book that he was the son of Hilkiah, "one of the priests who were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin..." Hilkiah the high priest is mentioned in 2 Kings 22 and 2 Chronicles 34. In those two passages (two accounts of the same event), King Josiah is reigning in the kingdom of Judah and has undertaken a reformation project to rid the land of altars and idols to Baal and other false gods. Ten years into that project, Hilkiah found the Book of the Law of the LORD given through Moses. He gave the book to Shaphan the secretary, who then presented it to king Josiah. Upon hearing the words of the Law, Josiah tore his clothes and gathered all the elders of the land, and reinstituted the Passover in obedience to the Law. Was this Hilkiah (the high priest) the same Hilkiah who was Jeremiah's father (the time frame would have been the same for both)? Many theologians and commentators, including John Calvin and Matthew Henry, think not. If he were, they say, Jeremiah would probably have identified himself as "the son of the high priest" instead of "one of the priests". Is it possible then that there were two Hilkiahs serving in the priesthood at the same time? Sure. The name Hilkiah means "The LORD is my portion", and based on Deuteronomy 18, in which God says that He Himself will be the portion of the Levites and priests, it may have been a common name among the priests of the time. Other commentators think that argument is inconclusive and that it probably was the same Hilkiah. Whether Jeremiah's father was the high priest or not, we don't know for sure. We do know that he grew up in and among the priesthood and in a village that had been set aside for priestly residence as far back as the time of David (1 Kings 2:26). This godly upbringing certainly gave young Jeremiah a good idea of what service to God entailed and what he could expect as he began his own ministry.
Jeremiah tells us (1:2) that he began his ministry in the 13th year of King Josiah's reign. Josiah began his national reform in the 8th year of his reign (when he was 16 years old); five years later Jeremiah began preaching, and five years after that the Book of the Law was found. In one sense, it may have been advantageous for Jeremiah to begin his preaching ministry during the reign of a king who was committed to godly reform. However, we read in Jeremiah's prophecies that, although the reforms were nation-wide edicts handed down from the king himself, they didn't cut to the heart of the people. Josiah's kingship and Jeremiah's ministry came on the heels of the reign of Manasseh, probably the most wicked king in Judah's history. Manasseh was committed to personal and national idolatry and evil. He reigned for fifty-five years, and his son Amon regned for two more, carrying on the evil traditions of his father. So the evil, idolatrous practices were ingrained in the people of Judah. All through Jeremiah's prophecy, we see that the people quickly reverted to their old habits. Jeremiah had quite a bit of reluctance to fulfill the ministry God had given him, and probably some timidity as well. However, courage is not the absence of fear, it's when you do what God has called you to do, in spite of your fear. Jeremiah went anyway. He was called to preach a message of repentance to a hard-hearted people who were set in their idolatrous ways. He was hated for it. He dealt with hatred and cursings (15:10), isolation (15:17), imprisonment (37:15), being thrown in a muddy cistern (38:16), beating (20:2), and plots against his life (11:19). Yet he often wept on behalf of the people when God told him that He was going to send judgment on the nation. Jeremiah also served during the reign of the wicked king Jehoiakim and the very weak king Zedekiah. So he had a very difficult ministry. In fact, in his forty years of preaching, he only had two converts (Baruch and Ebed-melech). By modern standards, Jeremiah's ministry would be considered an utter failure.
However, almost 3000 years later, we're still reading and studying his words. The book of Jeremiah is still very relevant to our time. He addressed the same issues that we face (hypocrisy, blatant heresy, traditionalism). He also serves as an example of how to live a godly life in the face of persecution. From his example, we can learn to weep for the sins of our nation and intercede for them, rather than sitting on a religious high horse and condemning them to hell. We can learn to remain faithful to our faithful God without ever doubting His goodness. May we all learn from the model of Jeremiah.
In studying the book of Jeremiah, it's helpful to know as much as possible about its author. Jeremiah tells us in the first verse of the book that he was the son of Hilkiah, "one of the priests who were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin..." Hilkiah the high priest is mentioned in 2 Kings 22 and 2 Chronicles 34. In those two passages (two accounts of the same event), King Josiah is reigning in the kingdom of Judah and has undertaken a reformation project to rid the land of altars and idols to Baal and other false gods. Ten years into that project, Hilkiah found the Book of the Law of the LORD given through Moses. He gave the book to Shaphan the secretary, who then presented it to king Josiah. Upon hearing the words of the Law, Josiah tore his clothes and gathered all the elders of the land, and reinstituted the Passover in obedience to the Law. Was this Hilkiah (the high priest) the same Hilkiah who was Jeremiah's father (the time frame would have been the same for both)? Many theologians and commentators, including John Calvin and Matthew Henry, think not. If he were, they say, Jeremiah would probably have identified himself as "the son of the high priest" instead of "one of the priests". Is it possible then that there were two Hilkiahs serving in the priesthood at the same time? Sure. The name Hilkiah means "The LORD is my portion", and based on Deuteronomy 18, in which God says that He Himself will be the portion of the Levites and priests, it may have been a common name among the priests of the time. Other commentators think that argument is inconclusive and that it probably was the same Hilkiah. Whether Jeremiah's father was the high priest or not, we don't know for sure. We do know that he grew up in and among the priesthood and in a village that had been set aside for priestly residence as far back as the time of David (1 Kings 2:26). This godly upbringing certainly gave young Jeremiah a good idea of what service to God entailed and what he could expect as he began his own ministry.
Jeremiah tells us (1:2) that he began his ministry in the 13th year of King Josiah's reign. Josiah began his national reform in the 8th year of his reign (when he was 16 years old); five years later Jeremiah began preaching, and five years after that the Book of the Law was found. In one sense, it may have been advantageous for Jeremiah to begin his preaching ministry during the reign of a king who was committed to godly reform. However, we read in Jeremiah's prophecies that, although the reforms were nation-wide edicts handed down from the king himself, they didn't cut to the heart of the people. Josiah's kingship and Jeremiah's ministry came on the heels of the reign of Manasseh, probably the most wicked king in Judah's history. Manasseh was committed to personal and national idolatry and evil. He reigned for fifty-five years, and his son Amon regned for two more, carrying on the evil traditions of his father. So the evil, idolatrous practices were ingrained in the people of Judah. All through Jeremiah's prophecy, we see that the people quickly reverted to their old habits. Jeremiah had quite a bit of reluctance to fulfill the ministry God had given him, and probably some timidity as well. However, courage is not the absence of fear, it's when you do what God has called you to do, in spite of your fear. Jeremiah went anyway. He was called to preach a message of repentance to a hard-hearted people who were set in their idolatrous ways. He was hated for it. He dealt with hatred and cursings (15:10), isolation (15:17), imprisonment (37:15), being thrown in a muddy cistern (38:16), beating (20:2), and plots against his life (11:19). Yet he often wept on behalf of the people when God told him that He was going to send judgment on the nation. Jeremiah also served during the reign of the wicked king Jehoiakim and the very weak king Zedekiah. So he had a very difficult ministry. In fact, in his forty years of preaching, he only had two converts (Baruch and Ebed-melech). By modern standards, Jeremiah's ministry would be considered an utter failure.
However, almost 3000 years later, we're still reading and studying his words. The book of Jeremiah is still very relevant to our time. He addressed the same issues that we face (hypocrisy, blatant heresy, traditionalism). He also serves as an example of how to live a godly life in the face of persecution. From his example, we can learn to weep for the sins of our nation and intercede for them, rather than sitting on a religious high horse and condemning them to hell. We can learn to remain faithful to our faithful God without ever doubting His goodness. May we all learn from the model of Jeremiah.
Thursday, June 12, 2014
Getting started
Grant, Almighty God, that as You have not only in Your law prescribed to us what is right and shown us the way of a godly life, but have also more clearly revealed Your will to us by the light of Your gospel, where Christ Your Son shines forth as the Sun of Righteousness, O grant that we may submit ourselves wholly to You, and from the heart render You obedience, and to this apply all our efforts and direct all our doings, so that, having finished the course of this life, we may at length come into that blessed rest that has been prepared for us in heaven by Christ our Lord. Amen.
This is an idea that I've been kicking around for some time. I have exhausted every excuse not to do it and have procrastinated long enough, so today I'm diving in. The purpose of this blog is, quite simply, to study the Bible and theology. I'm doing it primarily for my own edification, although, if God sees fit, someone else may get something out of it as well. My plan is to study one book of the Bible at a time within the framework of the grand story of redemption presented in Scripture. I may also from time to time study a great theological book (such as Calvin's Institutes) and document what I learn. My goal is not to present myself as some great theological giant, but rather to learn as much as I can about the Bible, theology, and God Himself, and through that study, to draw ever closer to Him (and, hopefully, point anyone who reads this blog in that direction too).
Brief autobiographical sketch: I am a chaplain (sort of) at a homeless shelter, so it 's part of my job to convey biblical truths to our homeless residents in order to help them overcome addictions and get back on their feet. I also serve as the chaplain for the local minor league baseball team. I have been studying the Bible for a long time, and I have found that the more I learn, the more I realize I don't know.
I thought for a long time about where to start with this blog. I have always been drawn to Jeremiah: his character, his personality, the obstacles to ministry that he faced. So that's where I'll start. I probably won't cover every single verse, but I'll deal with sections or chapters at a time. I'll record my own thoughts and ideas, but I'll use other resources as well. John Calvin's commentaries, Matthew Henry's commentary, the New Bible Commentary, Derek Kidner's commentary on Jeremiah, and even The Prophets by Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel will be used often. I want to get as full a picture of Jeremiah's prophecy as possible.
In the interest of disclosure, I hold fast to Reformed Theology. I understand that not everyone who reads this blog will have the same convictions. And that's okay. I welcome friendly discussion and exchange of ideas. However, one of the things that really upsets me is when born-again, Bible believing Christians argue about where they differ theologically rather than celebrating where they agree. So I have no interest in arguing or trying to be "right". I just want, to the best of my ability, to be faithful to the text and to honor God and His Word.
And with that, let's study Jeremiah, shall we?
This is an idea that I've been kicking around for some time. I have exhausted every excuse not to do it and have procrastinated long enough, so today I'm diving in. The purpose of this blog is, quite simply, to study the Bible and theology. I'm doing it primarily for my own edification, although, if God sees fit, someone else may get something out of it as well. My plan is to study one book of the Bible at a time within the framework of the grand story of redemption presented in Scripture. I may also from time to time study a great theological book (such as Calvin's Institutes) and document what I learn. My goal is not to present myself as some great theological giant, but rather to learn as much as I can about the Bible, theology, and God Himself, and through that study, to draw ever closer to Him (and, hopefully, point anyone who reads this blog in that direction too).
Brief autobiographical sketch: I am a chaplain (sort of) at a homeless shelter, so it 's part of my job to convey biblical truths to our homeless residents in order to help them overcome addictions and get back on their feet. I also serve as the chaplain for the local minor league baseball team. I have been studying the Bible for a long time, and I have found that the more I learn, the more I realize I don't know.
I thought for a long time about where to start with this blog. I have always been drawn to Jeremiah: his character, his personality, the obstacles to ministry that he faced. So that's where I'll start. I probably won't cover every single verse, but I'll deal with sections or chapters at a time. I'll record my own thoughts and ideas, but I'll use other resources as well. John Calvin's commentaries, Matthew Henry's commentary, the New Bible Commentary, Derek Kidner's commentary on Jeremiah, and even The Prophets by Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel will be used often. I want to get as full a picture of Jeremiah's prophecy as possible.
In the interest of disclosure, I hold fast to Reformed Theology. I understand that not everyone who reads this blog will have the same convictions. And that's okay. I welcome friendly discussion and exchange of ideas. However, one of the things that really upsets me is when born-again, Bible believing Christians argue about where they differ theologically rather than celebrating where they agree. So I have no interest in arguing or trying to be "right". I just want, to the best of my ability, to be faithful to the text and to honor God and His Word.
And with that, let's study Jeremiah, shall we?
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