“Arrogant Men”

 

BIBLE READING: Jeremiah 42-45


                There are always those who think they know better than others. However, it is a completely different matter to arrogantly believe oneself to be more knowledgeable than God, which is exactly what happened. Think about it. They had enough faith that God used Jeremiah to run to him when they needed answers. They believed that God would give them a message through Jeremiah. In fact, they were so certain that they vowed to obey everything God told them through Jeremiah. Then they actually heard what God had to say. The people again rejected God in favor of Egypt.

                How many times have the Israelites tried to, or actually have, fled to Egypt when they had questions or uncertainty in their lives? Why? What is it about Egypt that allowed it to hold such a place in their twisted hearts? What was it about the Egyptians that caused the Israelites to trust the security of the chains that bound them in slavery instead of the God that had freed them to be His own?

                Well, I think the same question could be asked today. Why do so many people run toward sin instead of freedom in our day and age? Creation is so corrupted that we mistakenly believe that we can somehow defy our Creator and, in doing so, fashion more desirable lives for ourselves than He. His response reveals the truth, "I will send for my servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and I will place his throne on these stones that i have embedded, and he will pitch his pavilion over them." (Jeremiah 43:10, CSB) There is nowhere to run where God does not reign.

                The people kept thinking that Egypt was their salvation, but God would prove that He is the King of Kings, commanding even pharaoh and Nebuchadnezzar. Even when forcibly led to Egypt, Jeremiah faithfully serves. Even hidden in the stronghold of pharaoh, the people cannot evade God.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       -Jeremy Byrd

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Colors of Christmas: Green

  Discussion:                                    Evergreen plants, like holly and mistletoe have been used for thousands of years to decorate and brighten up buildings during the long dark winter. They also reminded people that spring would come and winter wouldn't last forever! The Romans would exchange evergreen branches during January as a sign of good luck. The ancient Egyptians used to bring palm branches into their houses during the mid-winter festivals. In many parts of Europe during the Middle Ages, “paradise plays” were performed, often on Christmas Eve. They told Bible stories to people who couldn't read. “The Paradise Tree” in the Garden of Eden in the play was normally a pine tree with red apples tied to it. Today, think about the newness of life we have because we are in Christ. The old man could represent the dark winter and the barren trees. Then think of the bright Christmas trees that are so easily seen! … Help brighten someone’s life this week! Inform
Read more

“Blow-out in Boston”

BIBLE READING: Luke 14 DISCUSSION                                                                                       Boston Globe's account in June 1990 of a most unusual wedding banquet… Accompanied by her fiancé, a woman went to the Hyatt Hotel in downtown Boston and ordered the meal. The two of them poured over the menu, made selections of china and silver, and pointed to pictures of the flower arrangements they liked. They both had expensive taste, and the bill came to $13,000. After leaving a check for half that amount as down payment, the couple went home to flip through books of wedding announcements. The day the announcements were supposed to hit the mailbox, the groom got cold feet. "I'm just not sure," he said. "It's a big commitment. Let's think about this a little longer." When his angry fiancé returned to the Hyatt to cancel the banquet, the manager could not have been more understanding. However, concerning the refund, she h
Read more

“Is there Joy in your Heart?”

  DISCUSSION:                              There are so many things going on in this world today that it is easy to let worry have more room in our heart than happiness. In the medical world, we are constantly being reminded of the preventive medicine we need. Unlike 60 years ago when health only entered our minds when we got sick, today we are told continually of so much that can happen to our health if we don’t have this test run, take this pill, or get this shot to prevent some type of virus infecting us. If you allow it, you can give this too much attention. Of course, it is important to have good health. As we get older it really seems to get a lot more of our attention. Don’t let worry about your health take your eyes off the cross. The words of God given wisdom from Solomon in Proverbs 4, we see that a physically healthy heart is important, but to keep focused on good things to keep our spiritual heart clean and healthy. There is no medical test in place to make sure we are
Read more