Reading: Jeremiah 34-36
Take thee a roll of a book, and write therein all the words that I have spoken unto thee against Israel, and against Judah, and against all the nations, from the day I spake unto thee, from the days of Josiah, even unto this day. It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the evil which I purpose to do unto them; that they may return every man from his evil way; that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin(Jer. 36:2-3).
God instructed Jeremiah to write all the messages He had given him in one book. This was to be done in hopes that the people might read from this account, realize the error of their ways, turn to God, and repent. This also ensured that the record of all God had spoken through Jeremiah would be preserved. Why, if the spoken message had not brought the nation to repentance, did God believe that reading it in book form would do the trick? He didn’t. God knew the nation of Judah would fall. Neither Jeremiah’s testimony nor the written account was intended to change a nation but rather to sway the hearts of individual men. God had it recorded to allow His Word's power to continue to speak for itself long after the men who transcribed it were gone. The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O Lord, Thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever (Ps. 12:6-7).
The Bible is not a mere “book” written by men. It is the supernaturally inspired Word of God. The words on its pages possess the greatest power the world will ever know. For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Heb. 4:12).
While God intended for the written Word to serve as a reminder to all who had heard it spoken, that was only the beginning of His intent. The Bible was written to be passed down from generation to generation so that all would have the opportunity to witness a first-hand account of the miraculous works done by God throughout the history of Israel and the foundation of the church. God's Word was meant to change the lives of those to whom it was initially given, and it is intended to do the same for us today. We must dedicate ourselves to studying the Word of God and allow It to change us in the way God intended. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth (II Tim. 2:15).
His Word is God's second greatest gift to His people, the first being His Son, Jesus Christ. Bible Pathway's mission for the last 50 years has been to get that Word into the hands of as many people as possible so that they might have the opportunity to read it for themselves and experience the joy of His living presence and the comfort of having their spiritual hunger fed. Please join us as we raise our voices in thanksgiving for all the souls God has enabled us to touch and bow our heads in prayer for all those we have yet to reach. Praise God! His Word is on the move.
And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come (Matt. 24:14).
Thought for Today: His Word stands not only as a cornerstone for the faithful but also as a beacon to those who do not yet believe.
Christ Revealed: As the One who desires forgiveness, repentance, and liberty for all who are in bondage (Jer. 36:3). Jesus said: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised (Luke 4:18).
Word Studies: 34:5 burnings = ceremonial incense burning, to honor the dead (especially kings) at their funerals (II Chr. 16:14); 35:19 not want = never be without.
Pray for Staff Kevin Jennings • Government Officials:Rep. Clay Higgins (LA), Sen .Todd Young (IN), Sen. Joe Manchin (WV) • Country: Armenia (3,060,631) Southwest Asia • Major Languages: Armenian, Kurdish • Religious Freedom • 92.6% Armenian Apostolic Church; 1% Evangelical; 2.4% Other; 1.1% None; 2.9% Unspecified • Prayer Suggestion: Praise God for everything (Ps. 40:16).
Optional Reading: II John 1