Read: Jeremiah 1:1-2:30; Philippians 4:1-23; Psalm 75:1-10; Proverbs 24:17-20
Jeremiah began his ministry in the 13th reign of Josiah, king of Judah. At that time Assyria, Egypt and Babylon were threatening to overthrow Israel. Israel was eventually captured and taken into exile by the Assyrians. They threatened to take Jerusalem but God sent an angel to destroy their army. The king of Assyria’s last ruler died the same year that Jeremiah began to prophesy. The kingdom of Assyria began to fade in power when Nineveh was sacked and Egypt attempted to help them. Josiah went to attack Egypt and was be killed in battle.
The taking of Jerusalem happened over time. Nebuchaddnezar attacked several times before finally taking Jerusalem and carrying off all the Temple treasures and the captives to Babylon.
All of this would happen during Jeremiah’s lifetime.
Jeremiah was a priest living in the territory of Benjamin. He prophesied through three of Judah’s kings and into their exile into Babylon. He was called before he was even put in the womb to be a prophet to the nations. God told him he was going to send him to many kings and he was not to be afraid of their faces, but he was to speak God’s word fearlessly. His words would cause nations to be uprooted and torn down, destroyed and demolished, and others to be built and planted.
His first assignment was to tell Judah that the Babylonians were coming from the north to overcome them but God would not let it happen then. God remembered their devotion to him when they were coming out of Egypt with Moses. Now he wonders what he did to make his people turn so far away from him. He reminded them of all he had done for them and then asked them what other nations ever exchanged its gods like they had. If they would have turned back to him, he would have not had to destroy them and send them into captivity. It was their choice.
I love what Paul says about anxiety. He gives us the cure: it is to rejoice in the goodness of the Lord and be thankful. If we do this then he will hear our petitions and give us peace. He gives us a list of things we are to think about all the time: things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy. If we just think about these things we will have no room for worry, anxiety or fear.
Lord, thank you for reminding us of how easy it is to walk in peace. Help us to guard our minds against the darts of the enemy and to rejoice always!
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