Mon.’s Devo - The Sacrificial Life of Jeremiah

Read: Jeremiah 35-37
Jeremiah invited some of the leaders of the Rechabites into the house of the Lord and offered them wine, knowing their tradition of abstinence. They refused to drink the wine in obedience to their father. They were nomads who didn’t believe in building houses or settling in the land. Jeremiah used them as an example to the Jewish people. The Rechabites were obedient to their father and yet Judah refused to obey their father, God. The Rechabites were also known as the Kenites and had been allies of Israel since they came out of Egypt. Moses’ wife was from their tribe. They were a type of the Gentile church today. We chose a Jewish man to be our Savior and we choose to obey him. This world is not our home so we refuse to set roots. Our roots are in heavenly places with God. We will provoke God’s people to return to their God.
God never gave up trying to get Judah’s attention. He had Baruch write Jeremiah’s words down again in hopes that they would repent. A fast was proclaimed and they read the words to the people. The princes heard the words of Jeremiah and were afraid. They took the scroll to the king, Jehoiakim. Jehoiakim listened and then tore the scroll into bits and burned it against the protests of his men. So Jeremiah told him that since he burned the scroll, he would die and his body would rot in the open; his offspring would also be punished. Zedekiah was put on the throne instead of Jehoiakim but he didn’t listen to the words of Jeremiah or repent of his sins. The Pharaoh of Egypt came and scared the Chaldeans away giving the people of Jerusalem false hope. Jeremiah told them that the Chaldeans would be back . Even if they wounded every Chaldean they would still burn down the city.
Jeremiah was once again thrown into the deepest part of prison. The king secretly brought him out and asked him if he had a word from the Lord. He told him that the king would delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon. Jeremiah also asked to be let out of prison. Zedekiah allowed him to be let out in the court of the prison and fed bread until they ran out.
Jeremiah paid a price to fulfill his destiny but I’m sure his reward was great.
Lord, remind us of Jeremiah’s sacrificial life when we get weary.