Reading: Jeremiah 19-22
And say, Hear the word of the Lord, O king of Judah, that sittest upon the throne of David, thou, and thy servants, and thy people that enter in by these gates: Thus saith the Lord; Execute ye judgment and righteousness, and deliver the spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor: and do no wrong, do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, nor the widow, neither shed innocent blood in this place. For if ye do this thing indeed, then shall there enter in by the gates of this house kings sitting upon the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses, he, and his servants, and his people. But if ye will not hear these words, I swear by myself, saith the Lord, that this house shall become a desolation (Jer. 22:2-5).
Two of the issues we’ve seen over and over again in our studies of the kings of Judah are a sense of entitlement and a belief in inherited righteousness. In accordance with God’s promise, all the Judean kings were of the house of David. I will be His father, and he shall be My son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men: But My mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee. And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever (II Sam. 7:14-16). While some, such as Jehoshaphat, Hezekiah, and Josiah, took God’s words as a solemn charge to serve as His servant and lead the nation per His will, the majority took them to mean they were automatically stamped with God’s seal of approval and therefore had free rein to run the kingdom as they saw fit. They blatantly ignored and, at times, openly scoffed at the corrections and warnings issued by God’s prophets.
The problem with the kings' interpretation of God’s promise was two-fold. First, they glossed over the part where God stated He would hold David’s descendants responsible for their iniquities. Second, they placed limitations on God by arrogantly assuming that the kingdom and throne of David to which He referred were societal constructs devised and defined by man. They equated God’s promise to the retention of worldly power and believed said power was theirs to wield by right of birth. The Lord sent Jeremiah to King Jehoiakim, son and heir of Josiah, with a starkly foreboding message: Your forebearers’ righteousness won’t save you. Either commit to serving the Lord, or all earthly power will be stripped from you.
God’s promise was still in full effect. The throne of David would not be usurped, but that did not mean it couldn’t sit empty. David’s house would be preserved, but that didn’t mean it would retain earthly power. As for David’s kingdom, that was devised and defined by God. It had no earthly borders and was unaffected by the machinations of man. God and God alone controlled its destiny. Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth (Jer.23:5).
These two things are equally true. God always keeps His promises, and His promises are made in alignment with His will and His Word. If anyone believes that one of God’s promises exempts them from living according to His Word's dictates, then their interpretation of His promise is faulty.
Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of Thy righteous judgments endureth for ever (Ps. 119:160).
Thought for Today: God’s grace cannot be abused or corrupted, and His Words cannot be used against Him.
Christ Revealed: As the One who pronounces judgment upon those who refuse to obey His Word (Jer. 19:15). The Father . . . committed all judgment unto the Son (John 5:22).
Word Studies:19:3 his ears shall tingle = will be utterly stunned by the news; 19:9 straitness = anguish, distress; 20:3 Magor-missabib = terror on every side; 20:11 mighty terrible One = awe-inspiring One, heroic Champion.
Pray for Staff Gilbert Palafox • Government Official:Rep. James Comer (KY)• Country: Andorra (85,458) Southwestern Europe-Eastern Pyrenees • Major Languages: Catalan, French • Religious Freedom • Predominant Roman Catholic; Other (Muslim, Hindu, Jew, Anglican, Seventh-Day Adventist, Baha'i, Unification Church, Christian, Mormon, Jehovah's Witness) • Prayer Suggestion: Call to the Lord for help; He will save you out of your troubles (Ps. 34:17).
Optional Reading: I John 1