Read: Jeremiah 14:11-16-15; 1 Thessalonians 2:10-3:13; Psalm 80:1-19; Proverbs 25:1-5
God told Jeremiah not to pray for blessings for Judah because He was not blessing them. He told Jeremiah to tell the people that God was bringing destruction on them through the sword, famine and plague. Their prophets were prophesying the opposite which made Jeremiah a very unpopular prophet. God told him not to worry because He would protect him. He also told him not to marry any woman living in Judah because she would be killed.
They were being held responsible for their parents sins and the fact that instead of repenting for their father’s sins, they joined in their sins. They had more gods than cities. But, if they would repent he would restore them. One day, the ones who turned to him would be restored and return to their land.
Paul commended the people of Thessalonia for trusting that God spoke through them. They had suffered by the hands of their own people like Paul had suffered by the hands of the Jews. Paul explained how hard he had tried to come to see and encourage them but Satan had stalled his visits. So now he was sending Timothy to them to be Paul’s spokesman. He reminded them that the trials that they were both experiencing had been prophesied over them so they shouldn’t be surprised. But trials come to make us strong so stand against the enemy and be firm.
We can join in Paul’s prayer for the people of Thessalonia: “may the Lord make our love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else.”
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