Read: Jeremiah 22:1-23:20; 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12; Psalm 83:1-18; Proverbs 25:11-14
After prophesying to the priests, Jeremiah went to the king’s house and prophesied to the king. He told him to start giving out righteous judgment and to stop sinning and oppressing the innocent. God was going to make this wonderful city a wilderness which would be barren and lifeless because they had forsaken the covenant of the their God.
In verse 10, Jeremiah told them to weep, not for the righteous King Josiah who died and would never see the evil to come, but to weep for the living like Shallum and Jehoahaz, Josiah’s sons who were evil and had been carried away by Pharoah-necho into Egypt. They would never see their native land again. God’s people who die are to be envied, but living sinners are to be pitied. Shallum means “retribution”and Jeremiah is applying it to Joshiah’s fourth son. His first son, Jehoahaz had only reigned three months before he was taken to Egypt and the people put in his fourth son to rule. Pharoah-necho replaced him with Jehoiakim, the second son. Sadly, none of them lived like their father who did judge the poor and the needy with righteousness.
Jeremiah mourns the hypocrisy of the prophets who were to be a beacon of truth and righteousness but instead were the worse of sinners.
How refreshing to read 2 Thessalonians! Paul is so grateful to the church for their growth in the Lord and their love for each other. They were commended for how they endured the trials of life and the persecution they were faced with. All their trials would be worth it in the end. There will be a righteous judgment on the earth!
Lord, thank you for reminding us that we don’t endure trials for nothing, but a reward is awaiting us and it will be worth it all!God’s retribution is holy and righteous.
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