Read: Jeremiah 12:1-14:10; 1 Thessalonians 1:1-2:9; Psalm 79:1-13; Proverbs 24:30-34
God brought a case against Judah which had to do with justice. The rich got richer at the expense of the poor and innocent but God was going to change that. God’s people were going to be put in the hands of their enemies and experience the punishment of God. All of their land would be trampled and devastated by their enemies because of their sin and rebellion. But, woe to the ones God used to bring judgment on his people. They would be punished also. When the time of punishment was over, God would look on compassion on his people and bring them back to their land. Our Psalm today, described the devastation that Jerusalem went through and the feelings of the people as they prayed for God’s deliverance.
God had Jeremiah give them a physical sign to show what he was going to do to them. Jeremiah was instructed to get a linen belt and wear it around his waist. It was not to touch water. Later, God told him to take the belt and go to the Euphrates River and dig a hole and hide it in the hole. It was now dirty and not useful. God said, that this is how he saw his people - unprofitable. The belt is truth (Eph. 6:14) and they had hidden the truth in their filth of idolatry making everything they did unprofitable. God also said he would make them drunk with the wine of judgment because of their pride. Instead of ruling themselves, they would be taken into exile. Instead of a nation, they would be scattered throughout the earth. Because they had forgotten their God who loved them, their sin would be exposed for all to see. Instead of water, they would live in drought.
Paul made sure that the church in Thessalonia understood that he wasn’t a false teacher coming in to deceive through extortion. He came with truth and proved it with acts of God’s power.
Just as God judged Israel because of her unjust judges, God is judging our judicial system. God will be replacing five of our Supreme Court judges and reversing Roe vs. Wade.
Lord, may we walk in truth and the power of your Holy Spirit.
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