Lessons from Jeremiah

Lesson 13 December 19-25 Lessons From Jeremiah Study this week's lesson to prepare for Sabbath, December 26.

http://www.ssnet.org/lessons/15d/less13.html Sabbath Afternoon Memory Text: “'Behold, the days are coming,' says the Lord, 'that I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; a King shall reign and prosper, and execute judgment and righteousness in the earth'” (Jeremiah 23:5, NKJV). We're now at the end of our study of Jeremiah. It's been an adventure; a lot of drama, emotion, and energy has been expended in the saga of our prophet. Like all the prophets, Jeremiah didn't write in a vacuum: his was a message from the Lord and for people at a specific time and place, and under specific circumstances. And yet, however radically different his circumstances were from ours or from those of the many other generations who have read Jeremiah, crucial principles expressed there are the same for God's people in every generation. Such as faithfulness to God and obedience to His commandments. Such as true religion, a religion of the heart, as opposed to empty and dead rituals that can leave people in a false state of complacency. Such as the people's willingness to listen to correction, even when it cuts across what they want to hear. Such as true revival and reformation. Such as trusting in the Lord and His promises instead of the arm of flesh. Such as . . . The list goes on. This week, let's take a look at some of the many lessons we can learn from this revelation of God's love for His people even amid many thunderous warnings to them about where their actions will lead. Sunday December 20 Jeremiah's Lord Seventh-day Adventists understand that at the center of the great controversy exists a crucial issue: What is the character of God? What is God really like? Is He the arbitrary tyrant that Satan makes Him out to be, or is He a loving and caring Father who wants only the best for us? These questions really are the most important questions in the entire cosmos. After all, what would our situation be if God were not kind and loving and self-sacrificial, but mean and arbitrary and sadistic? We'd be better off if no God existed than to have one like that. So, the questions are of huge importance. Fortunately, we have the answers, and they are best seen at the Cross. “Never will it be forgotten that He whose power created and upheld the unnumbered worlds through the vast realms of space, the Beloved of God, the Majesty of heaven, He whom cherub and shining seraph delighted to adore- humbled Himself to uplift fallen man; that He bore the guilt and shame of sin, and the hiding of His Father's face, till the woes of a lost world broke His heart, and crushed out His life on Calvary's cross. That the Maker of all worlds, the Arbiter of all destinies, should lay aside His glory and humiliate Himself from love to man will ever excite the wonder and adoration of the universe.”-Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, p. 651. How is the nature and character of God revealed in the following texts in Jeremiah? That is, what do these texts tell us about Him?

Jeremiah 2:13 13 “For My people have committed two evils:They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters,And hewn themselves cisterns - broken cisterns that can hold no water.” A Possible Answer: This text tells us that God is... 1) aware of what we do, 2) the only source of life and all that we need, 3) looks at himself as owner or parent, 4) In God’s eyes, our choices place us in a moral standing.

Jeremiah 5:22 22 Do you not fear Me? says the Lord. “Will you not tremble at My presence, Who have placed the sand as the bound of the sea,By a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass beyond it?And though its waves toss to and fro,Yet they cannot prevail;Though they roar, yet they cannot pass over it.” A Possible Answer: This text tells us that God is omniscient and is to held in reverential fear.

Jeremiah 11:22 22 therefore thus says the Lord of hosts: “Behold, I will punish them. The young men shall die by the sword, their sons and their daughters shall die by famine;” A Possible Answer: The character of God envelops justice and is seen in His administering punishment to violators and the disobedient. He holds people accountable and is capable of determining the type of punishment that is deemed as needed. Jeremiah 31:3 3 The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying:“Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love;Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.” A Possible Answer: This text tell us that God is a loving God who relentlessly pursues those He loves. That love is consistent and unchangeable.

Jeremiah 3:7 7 And I said, after she had done all these things, “Return to Me.” But she did not return. And her treacherous sister Judah saw it. A Possible Answer: The tenderness of God is seen in this passage. Further, because He is piteous and He solicits us. He does not abandon us. His knowledge, wisdom and insight is see in this text also.

These are just a few of the many images and expressions used in the book that reveal to us something of the nature and character of our God. He is the Source of life, the powerful Creator, a God of judgment, a God who loves us and calls us, over and over, to repent of our sins and to turn away from the paths that will lead to our destruction.

What evidence of God's loving character have you experienced during your lifetime? A Possible Answer: His graciousness in forgiving me over and over again. His provisions in every area of my life. Helping me when I needed His help most. Delivering me from danger. His abundant patience with me when I was slow, hesitant and doubtful. How He has worked in my life...guidance, vision, correction and inspiration when I was tempted to give up. Sunday - Jeremiahs Lord Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, pp. 649 – 652. In all ages the Saviour's chosen have been educated and disciplined in the school of trial. They walked in narrow paths on earth; they were purified in the furnace of affliction. For Jesus' sake they endured opposition, hatred, calumny. They followed Him through conflicts sore; they endured self-denial and experienced bitter disappointments. By their own painful experience they learned the evil of sin, its power, its guilt, its woe; and they look upon it with abhorrence. A sense of the infinite sacrifice made for its cure humbles them in their own sight and fills their hearts with gratitude and praise which those who have never fallen cannot appreciate. They love much because they have been forgiven much. Having been partakers of Christ's sufferings, they are fitted to be partakers with Him of His glory. The heirs of God have come from garrets, from hovels, from dungeons, from scaffolds, from mountains, from deserts, from the caves of the earth, from the caverns of the sea. On earth they were "destitute, afflicted, tormented." Millions went down to the grave loaded with infamy because they steadfastly refused to yield to the deceptive claims of Satan. By human tribunals they were adjudged the vilest of criminals. But now "God is judge Himself." Psalm 50:6. Now the decisions of earth are reversed. "The rebuke of His people shall He take away." Isaiah 25:8. "They shall call them, The holy people, The redeemed of the Lord." He hath appointed "to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness." Isaiah 62:12; 61:3. They are no longer feeble, afflicted, scattered, and oppressed. Henceforth they are to be ever with the Lord. They stand before the throne clad in richer robes than the most honored of the earth have ever worn. They are crowned with diadems more glorious than were ever placed upon the brow of earthly monarchs. The days of pain and weeping are forever ended. The King of glory has wiped the tears from all faces; every cause of grief has been removed. Amid the waving of palm branches they pour forth a song of praise, clear, sweet, and harmonious; every voice takes up the strain, until the anthem swells through the vaults of heaven: "Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb." And all the inhabitants of heaven respond in the ascription: "Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever." Revelation 7:10, 12. In this life we can only begin to understand the wonderful theme of redemption. With our finite comprehension we may consider most earnestly the shame and the glory, the life and the death, the justice and the mercy, that meet in the cross; yet with the utmost stretch of our mental powers we fail to grasp its full significance. The length and the breadth, the depth and the height, of redeeming love are but dimly comprehended. The plan of redemption will not be fully understood, even when the ransomed see as they are seen and know as they are known; but through the eternal ages new truth will continually unfold to the wondering and delighted mind. Though the griefs and pains and temptations of earth are ended and the cause removed, the people of God will ever have a distinct, intelligent knowledge of what their salvation has cost. The cross of Christ will be the science and the song of the redeemed through all eternity. In Christ glorified they will behold Christ crucified. Never will it be forgotten that He whose power created and upheld the unnumbered worlds through the vast realms of space, the Beloved of God, the Majesty of heaven, He whom cherub and shining seraph delighted to adore-- humbled Himself to uplift fallen man; that He bore the guilt and shame of sin, and the hiding of His Father's face, till the woes of a lost world broke His heart and crushed out His life on Calvary's cross. That the Maker of all worlds, the Arbiter of all destinies, should lay aside His glory and humiliate Himself from love to man will ever excite the wonder and adoration of the universe. As the nations of the saved look upon their Redeemer and behold the eternal glory of the Father shining in His countenance; as they behold His throne, which is from everlasting to everlasting, and know that His kingdom is to have no end, they break forth in rapturous song: "Worthy, worthy is the Lamb that was slain, and hath redeemed us to God by His own most precious blood!" The mystery of the cross explains all other mysteries. In the light that streams from Calvary the attributes of God which had filled us with fear and awe appear beautiful and attractive. Mercy, tenderness, and parental love are seen to blend with holiness, justice, and power. While we behold the majesty of His throne, high and lifted up, we see His character in its gracious manifestations, and comprehend, as never before, the significance of that endearing title, "Our Father." It will be seen that He who is infinite in wisdom could devise no plan for our salvation except the sacrifice of His Son. The compensation for this sacrifice is the joy of peopling the earth with ransomed beings, holy, happy, and immortal. The result of the Saviour's conflict with the powers of darkness is joy to the redeemed, redounding to the glory of God throughout eternity. And such is the value of the soul that the Father is satisfied with the price paid; and Christ Himself, beholding the fruits of His great sacrifice, is satisfied. Monday December 21 Rituals and Sin “There is a document that records God's endless, dispiriting struggle with organized religion, known as the Bible.”-Terry Eagleton, Reason, Faith, and Revolution: Reflections on the God Debate, (Yale University Press, 2010), Kindle Edition, p. 8. Not quite true, and that's because the religion of the Bible, the religion that God has given humanity, has always been an “organized religion.” On the other hand, there is no question that in the book of Jeremiah, the Lord was seeking to get people away from the cold, dead, but very organized rituals that came to dominate their faith, rituals that they believed covered their sin. As said earlier, yet it is worth repeating, the vast majority of Jeremiah's struggles were with leaders and priests and people who believed that because they were the chosen ones of God, the children of Abraham, the covenant people, they were just fine with the Lord. What a sad deception, one that we, also of Abraham's seed (Gal. 3:29), need to watch out for. What is the message of the following texts in Jeremiah? Most important, how can we apply the principles there in our own walk with the Lord? (Jer 6:20 To what purpose cometh there to me incense from Sheba, and the sweet cane from a far country? your burnt offerings are not acceptable, nor your sacrifices sweet unto me. And 7:1-10 “The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, Jer 7:2 Stand in the gate of the LORD'S house, and proclaim there this word, and say, Hear the word of the LORD, all ye of Judah, that enter in at these gates to worship the LORD. Jer 7:3 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, Amend your ways and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this place. Jer 7:4 Trust ye not in lying words, saying, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, are these. Jer 7:5 For if ye throughly amend your ways and your doings; if ye throughly execute judgment between a man and his neighbour; Jer 7:6 If ye oppress not the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and shed not innocent blood in this place, neither walk after other gods to your hurt: Jer 7:7 Then will I cause you to dwell in this place, in the land that I gave to your fathers, for ever and ever. Jer 7:8 Behold, ye trust in lying words, that cannot profit. Jer 7:9 Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not; Jer 7:10 And come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, We are delivered to do all these abominations?). A Possible Answer: The message is that no mere external service is acceptable to God. The observance of the entire ceremonial system was useless unless accompanied by heart religion (see 1 Sam. 15:22; Ps. 40:6; Isa. 1:11- 13; Jer. 7:21-23; Eze. 20:39; Hosea 6:6; Amos 5:21-24; Micah 6:6-8) and we can apply principles there to our lives by maintaining a relationship with God that moves us to do right to others. The worship of God that does not transform the heart and evidences ministry to the need is fruitless. No observances, professions, or supposed revelations, will profit, if men do not amend their ways and their doings. None can claim an interest in free salvation, who allow themselves in the practice of known sin, or live in the neglect of known duty. They thought that the temple they profaned would be their protection. But all who continue in sin because grace has abounded, or that grace may abound, make Christ the minister of sin; and the cross of Christ, rightly understood, forms the most effectual remedy to such poisonous sentiments. The Son of God gave himself for our transgressions, to show the excellence of the Divine law, and the evil of sin. Never let us think we may do wickedness without suffering for it. (Matthew Henry Commentary ) Read Jeremiah 7:9-10. If one ever wanted to find a situation that fits what has been called “cheap grace,” the term certainly applies here. The people do all these sinful things and then come back to the temple and “worship” the true God and claim forgiveness for their sins? God is not mocked. Unless these people change their ways, especially how they treat the weak among them, they are going to face harsh judgment. What a deception they are under, the belief that they can claim God's forgiveness and go on doing what they want, without regard to the conditions of the covenant so that they can continue on in those sins. What is the difference between what Jeremiah is warning about here and what Jesus said in Matthew 9:12? But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. They that be whole need not a physician - A common proverb, which none could either misunderstand or misapply. Of it the reader may make the following use: ---Jesus Christ represents himself here as the sovereign Physician of souls. That all stand in need of his healing power. That men must acknowledge their spiritual maladies, and the need they have of his mercy, in order to be healed by him.... That it is the most inveterate and dangerous disease the soul can be afflicted with to imagine itself whole, when the sting of death, which is sin, has pierced it through in every part, infusing its poison every where. A Possible Answer: One difference is that Jeremiah’s warning dealt with an obstinate heart devoid of a need for a living connection with their God and further; it was presumptuous at the core. Jesus was indicting that the truly sick would come to be healed. Jeremiah’s message pointed to those who did not see their need of the Great Physician while those who Jesus envisioned would and do see their need for healing from the Great Healer.

Why is it important to know that difference? A Possible Answer: It is important to know that difference because that knowledge would enable us to see our need and go to the right source for help.

Tuesday December 22 Religion of the Heart “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God” (Rom. 14:12). 12. So then. The word order of this verse in the Greek adds emphasis to the individual responsibility of each believer: “So then each one of us concerning himself an account will give to God.” Account. Gr. logos (see on ch. 9:28). In matters of conscience each man is personally responsible to God, and to Him alone. So much of the book of Jeremiah is directed toward the nation as a whole. Time and again he talked about Israel and Judah corporately, as God's “choice vine” (Jer. 2:21, NIV), or the “beloved” of the Lord (Jer. 11:15, 12:7), God's own “heritage” (Jer. 12:7-9), His “vineyard” (Jer. 12:10) and His “flock” (Jer. 13:17). Without doubt, in the book we get a sense of the corporate nature of the Lord's calling to this nation. Of course, it's the same in the New Testament, where time and again the church is understood in a corporate sense (see Eph. 1:22, 3:10, 5:27). Yet salvation is personal, not a corporate issue. We are not saved as package deals. As with the New Testament church, the nation of Judah was composed of individuals, and it's here, at the level of the individual, that the real crucial issues arise. The famous text in Deuteronomy 6:5, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength” (NKJV), though spoken to the nation as a whole, is written in the singular second person. That is, the “you” in each case is the singular; God is talking to each one individually. In the end, each one of us, personally, will have to give an account of ourselves to God. We find that same thing in Jeremiah as well. What do the following texts say about the importance of a personal, individual walk with the Lord? Jer. 17:7 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. A Possible Answer: Trust is a personal experience hence, it tells us that the reader/hearer has to personally relate to the Lord in order for the blessings to be experienced. Jer. 17:10 I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings. 10. Reins. Literally, “kidneys,” as representative of the inner man, the hidden motives (see on Ps. 7:9). God will judge “every man according to his ways” (see Matt. 16:27; Rom. 14:12; 2 Cor. 5:10; Rev. 22:12). Not only will the judgment deal with a man’s deeds; it will also take into consideration the “fruit,” the influence, of man’s deeds upon others, both in life and in death. A Possible Answer: The use of the words “The heart”, “The reigns”, “every man” and “his” suggests singularity of person and intent. Such scrutiny presupposes personal individual interaction and attention.

Jer. 29:13 “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” With all your heart. This wonderful promise is an echo of Deut. 4:29. God makes it plain that He can do nothing for His people unless they seek Him with sincerity of purpose. A Possible Answer: Here, we see that the person has to individually seek and the promise is guaranteed, that individual will find Him. What is envisioned here is the total application of will and person in the quest of searching.

Jer. 9:23-24 “Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.” 23. Glory. That is, “boast,” as the word thus translated is rendered in 1 Kings 20:11; Ps. 52:1; Prov. 27:1; etc. The prophet now points out delusive objects of self-confident boasting. The human devices upon which the people prided themselves would be futile in the day of desolation. Wisdom. Probably the primary reference is to the wisdom, political sagacity, and human farsightedness of statesmen. However, any trust placed in human wisdom is sheer folly, for it is partial and uncertain (see Prov. 3:5; 1 Cor. 13:9, 10). Might. Military prowess, armaments, strength of soldiers, material force, etc. All of these are limited. Riches. Wealth and material possessions constitute no legitimate ground for boasting. “Riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away” (Prov. 23:5).

24. Glory in this. The truly wise ascribe praise to God alone, never to self (see on v. 23). The knowledge of God is the only true ground for glorying (see 1 Cor. 1:31; 2 Cor. 10:17). That man alone is truly wise in whose heart such knowledge is treasured, for it is life eternal (John 17:3). This knowledge has an intellectual aspect involving the understanding. Man’s relationship to God has a reasonable and intelligent basis. It is no blind discipleship. Man is to serve God with all the mind (Matt. 22:37). But knowing God goes beyond a merely theoretical understanding. It is an experimental knowledge. It is practical. It manifests itself in walking in God’s ways (see Job 22:21; Jer. 22:16). Lovingkindness. Heb. chesed, “divine love” (see Additional Note on Ps. 36). God desires that men become acquainted with His attributes. Judgment. Heb. mishpat (see on Jer. 5:4; Ps. 119:7). (properly: a verdict pronounced judicially....right, justice, rectitude, proper I delight. God takes pleasure in manifesting these moral attributes as well as in seeing them reflected in His children (see Micah 6:8; 7:18). A Possible Answer: Once again one is bidden to have a personal experience with God by understanding and becoming aware by seeing God for who He is.... one who delights in right, judgment as in declaring right and love.

Though both Testaments of the Bible talk about the corporate nature of God's church, true faith is a matter of each person, himself or herself, making a daily surrender to the Lord, a personal choice to walk in faith and obedience. Though there's no question that we are each individually responsible for our own souls, how can we make sure that we are doing everything we can to uplift and encourage others? A Possible Answer: By first setting the best example of the Christian life. Then encourage by any means possible all that we come into contact with. Submitting ourselves for the Holy Spirit’s use at all times and in any manner that he may desire to use us. Whom do you know, right now, that you can say some kind and uplifting words to? A Possible Answer: A neighbor, sibling, family member, Postman, church member/pastor/leader or even someone who ill-treated us.

Wednesday December 23 Twilight of the Idols What was one of the great sins that the people committed that Jeremiah had to deal with constantly? (Jer. 10:1-15). Idols and the Living God Jer 10:1 Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel: Jer 10:2 Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. Jer 10:3 For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. Cutteth a tree. The worthlessness of the idols as gods is forcefully demonstrated by calling attention to the origin of these idols (see Isa. 40:20; 45:20). Workman. Heb. charash, “an artificer,” or “a craftsman,” from a verb meaning “to plow,” or “to devise.” In the hands of such a craftsman the forest tree becomes a work of art. Jer 10:4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not. 4. They deck it. The carved figure is next adorned with precious metals (see Isa. 40:19). Fasten it. The idol is nailed to some wall or pillar to make it stand upright and to keep it from falling (see Isa. 41:7). Move. Literally, “totter.” Jer 10:5 They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good. SDA Bible Commentary 5. Upright. Heb. miqshah, used elsewhere in the OT only of turned or hammered work (see Ex. 25:18, 31, 36), or of a field of cucumbers (see Isa. 1:8). Palm tree. Heb. tomer. The word generally denoting a palm tree is spelled tamar (Ex. 15:27; Lev. 23:40; Num. 33:9; etc.). It is doubtful whether a palm tree is here intended, especially when the translation “upright” for miqshah (see above under “upright”) finds no support. A different interpretation has been suggested, based on a comment in the Apocryphal work, the Epistle of Jeremy, written in the Maccabean period. The Jeremy passage appears to have reference to this prophecy. Verse 70 (v. 69 in the LXX) of this epistle reads, “For even as a scarecrow in a cucumber bed guards nothing, thus are their gods of wood, set in gold and silver.” Inasmuch as the translation “garden of cucumbers” can be supported by Isa. 1:8, it is possible that by the Heb. tomer the prophet meant to designate a scarecrow. This would yield the interesting translation, “They are like a scarecrow in a garden of cucumbers.” A scarecrow in a vegetable garden is stiff, lifeless, and impotent. It is designated to frighten away the birds, but even they may become aware of its impotence. Speak not. Like scarecrows in a field, idols, though outwardly made to resemble a human being and though standing in a speaking posture, are nought but dumb stocks (see Ps. 115:5). Must needs be borne. Idols were customarily carried in the grand procession of the gods at the Babylonian religious festivals (see Ps. 115:7; Isa. 46:1, 7). Go. Literally, “march.” Idols cannot even march in their own processions. Be not afraid of them. Pagans worship their gods either in the hope that these deities may do them good, or for fear that their deities may harm them. But the prophet declares that these gods are incapable of either hurting their enemies or helping their friends. They can neither reward nor punish (see Isa. 41:23). Jer 10:6 Forasmuch as there is none like unto thee, O LORD; thou art great, and thy name is great in might. Jer 10:7 Who would not fear thee, O King of nations? for to thee doth it appertain: forasmuch as among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like unto thee. Jer 10:8 But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock is a doctrine of vanities. Jer 10:9 Silver spread into plates is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of the workman, and of the hands of the founder: blue and purple is their clothing: they are all the work of cunning men. Jer 10:10 But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation. 10. The true God. Jeremiah here contrasts Jehovah with the false idols, which are merely imaginary gods. God is truth personified (see Ps. 31:5; John 14:6; 17:3; 1 John 5:20). The living God. In contrast to the lifelessness of idols, God has life in Himself (John 5:26). The source of His existence is in His own being. All other living beings live “in Him” (see Acts 17:28). Everlasting. In contrast to the powerlessness and temporary existence of all other objects of worship, God is the “king of eternity.” His domain is unlimited either by space or by time. Abide. That is, “to bear patiently,” or “to endure.” Jer 10:11 Thus shall ye say unto them, The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, even they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens. Jer 10:12 He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion. 12. He hath made. Yahweh alone has the right to claim worship, and that right is based upon the fact that He is the Creator. To Him all other beings owe their existence (see Ps. 96:5). The universe is the product of His creative energy (Isa. 40:22, 26; 42:5; 44:24; 45:12, 18; 51:13). Idols are made, but God makes. He is the Creator. Verses 12-16 of Jer. 10 appear in ch. 51:15-19 with slight variations. Discretion. Heb. tebunah, “understanding.” Jer 10:13 When he uttereth his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens, and he causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures. 13. When he uttereth his voice. The continuous activity of God is exhibited in the phenomena of nature (see Amos 5:8; 9:5, 6). The psalmist, too, saw in the thunderstorm a display of the majestic power of God. He termed thunder the voice of God (see on Ps. 29:3). Multitude. Heb. hamon, “commotion,” “tumult,” and hence “multitude,” or “crowd.” Vapours. Heb. neō›i’im, defined as “damp fog,” used in this sense only here and in Jer. 51:16 and Ps. 135:7, which are largely parallel, and in Prov. 25:14, where it is translated “clouds.” With rain. Literally, “for the rain.” Jer 10:14 Every man is brutish in his knowledge: every founder is confounded by the graven image: for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them. Jer 10:15 They are vanity, and the work of errors: in the time of their visitation they shall perish. 14. Brutish. Or, “stupid,” “dullhearted” (see on v. 8). Every founder. That is, “every refiner,” or “goldsmith” (see on v. 9). Confounded. Better, “ashamed.” The idol upon which the artisan has exhausted his skill remains a lifeless object. 15. Vanity. Heb. hebel, “vapor,” or “breath” (see Jer. 10:3; see on Eccl. 1:2). Work of errors. Literally, “work of mockeries.” Idols themselves deserve only ridicule and mockery, though the sincere belief of even an idolater should not be made a subject of ridicule by a Christian. Visitation. See on Ps. 8:4; 59:5. In the time when the idol makers will be visited with punishment, the idols will perish (v. 11).

A Possible Answer: The tendency to replace God with idols. What's interesting in these texts is not just the way in which the prophet shows how vain and useless and silly these idols are, but how he contrasts them to the living God. These things are powerless, useless, empty, and false; what a contrast to the Lord who made the heavens and earth! He will endure forever, while these idols will vanish forever. So, whom should we be worshiping and dedicating our lives to: that which is weak, false, vain, and powerless, or to the Lord whose power and might is so great that He created and sustains the universe? The answer, of course, is obvious. Yet however obvious the answer, the fact is, we are in danger of falling into idolatry as well. Though today we might not worship the same kind of idols that those in Jeremiah's time did, our modern life is full of false gods. These modern idols can be anything that we love more than God; whatever we “worship” (and worship doesn't always mean singing and praying) becomes our god, and we are guilty of idolatry. What are some of the things that we can be in danger of making into idols? A Possible Answer: Friends or family members. Sports. Amusements. Nature. Eating. Recreation. Music. What about things like digital devices, money, fame, even other people? A Possible Answer: Idols can even be activities, things or anything that we prize or value above what is important to God. Make a list of what these potential idols are, and then ask yourself: In the end, what real salvation do they offer? A Possible Answer: House and property. Cycling. Friends. Job or employment. Children.

Of course, we know intellectually that none of these things are worthy of worship. We know that in the end, nothing that this world offers us, nothing that we make into idols, can ultimately satisfy our souls and certainly not redeem them. We know all these things, and yet, unless we are careful, unless we keep before us Jesus and what He did for us and why He did it, we can so easily be swept up in a modern form of the idolatry similar to that which Jeremiah so passionately railed against.

Thursday December 24 The Remnant “In the closing years of Judah's apostasy the exhortations of the prophets were seemingly of but little avail; and as the armies of the Chaldeans came for the third and last time to besiege Jerusalem, hope fled from every heart. Jeremiah predicted utter ruin; and it was because of his insistence on surrender that he had finally been thrown into prison. But God left not to hopeless despair the faithful remnant who were still in the city. Even while Jeremiah was kept under close surveillance by those who scorned his messages, there came to him fresh revelations concerning Heaven's willingness to forgive and to save, which have been an unfailing source of comfort to the church of God from that day to this.”-Ellen G. White, Prophets and Kings, p. 466. Even amid that prevailing apostasy and doom, God always had a faithful people, however small in number. Though as with many of the prophets, much of the emphasis in Jeremiah was on apostasy and unfaithfulness-because these were what the Lord wanted to save the people from-all through sacred history, the Lord had a faithful remnant. This, of course, will continue down until the end of time (see Rev. 12:17 ) . How is the concept of the remnant expressed in Jeremiah 23:1-8? The Righteous Branch Jer 23:1 Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD. Jer 23:2 Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD. Jer 23:3 And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase. Jer 23:4 And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the LORD. Jer 23:5 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 23:6 In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. Jer 23:7 Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that they shall no more say, The LORD liveth, which brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt; Jer 23:8 But, The LORD liveth, which brought up and which led the seed of the house of Israel out of the north country, and from all countries whither I had driven them; and they shall dwell in their own land.” A Possible Answer: Remnant is used to mean those who are gathered from various countries where God has providentially led them and are brought back to folds where they shall prosper. How does this apply to New Testament times? See also Jer. 33:14-18. The Lord's Eternal Covenant with David Jer 33:14 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will perform that good thing which I have promised unto the house of Israel and to the house of Judah. Jer 33:15 In those days, and at that time, will I cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David; and he shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land. Jer 33:16 In those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely: and this is the name wherewith she shall be called, The LORD our righteousness. Jer 33:17 For thus saith the LORD; David shall never want a man to sit upon the throne of the house of Israel; Jer 33:18 Neither shall the priests the Levites want a man before me to offer burnt offerings, and to kindle meat offerings, and to do sacrifice continually.) A Possible Answer: It applies to Jesus who came in NT Times. He is the Chief Shepherd, the Pastor, the Lord our Righteousness and High Priest who does not necessitate another to replace Him.

In Jeremiah 33:5-7 scholars have long seen a Messianic prophecy, a prophecy of redemption for God's faithful people. Though it's true that, after the Babylonian exile, a remnant returned, it was not a glorious return. However, God's purposes would be fulfilled through the lineage of David, through a “righteous Branch,” the King who would one day reign. This prophecy had a partial fulfillment in the first coming of Jesus (see Matt. 1:1, 21:7-9, John 12:13). It will have its ultimate fulfillment in the Second Coming (see Dan. 7:13-14), when all of God's faithful people, His true remnant, will dwell forever in peace and safety. The redemption, first symbolized by the Exodus from Egypt, will be final, complete, and eternal. In what are you putting your hopes? A Possible Answer: My who is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness. The abundant love and mercy of God. His unchangeable nature. How can you learn to trust more and more in the promises of God and their ultimate fulfillment in your own life? A Possible Answer: By praying and memorizing His promises recorded in the Word. By seeing in every experience an opportunity to growth and trust Him more. By trusting him in the little things. What else besides them do you have? A Possible Answer: while knowledge and experience has its worth, the promises of God are a source of hope that has a motivating and converting propensity. Other than that, Nothing really.

Friday December 25 Further Thought:

Many years ago a Seventh-day Adventist minister named W. D. Frazee preached a sermon called “Winners and Losers.” In it he went through the lives of various Bible characters, looking at their work and ministry, and then he asked the question regarding each one: Was he a winner or a loser? For example, he looked at John the Baptist, who lived a lonely life in the wilderness. Though eventually John had a small following, it never amounted to much, and certainly it was not what Jesus, who came later, had. And of course, John lived out his last days in a dank prison where, at times, he was harassed with doubt, finally only to get his head chopped off (Matthew 14:1- 12). After recounting all this, Elder Frazee asked: “Was John a winner or a loser?” What about Jeremiah the prophet? How successful was his life? He suffered a great deal, and he wasn't afraid to whine and moan about it either. With few exceptions, it seems that the priests, prophets, kings, and common people not only didn't like what he had to say, but also thoroughly resented it. He was even seen as treasonous against his own people. In the end, the destruction and doom that he spent his life warning about came, because time and again the people rejected his words. They threw him in a muddy pit, hoping he'd die there. He lived to see his nation go into a terrible exile while Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed. Thus, from a human perspective, not much went well for Jeremiah. From one perspective, you could argue that he had a fairly miserable life. Discussion Questions: 1 Was Jeremiah a winner or a loser? What are the reasons for the choice you make? If you say he was a winner, what does that tell us about how crucial it is that we not judge reality by the world's standards? What standards are we to use to try to understand what is right and wrong, good and evil, success and failure? 2 In what ways do we see the life and ministry of Jesus prefigured in Jeremiah? What are the parallels? 3 Earlier this week we saw the deception of going on with religious worship as usual without a change of heart. What is true grace, in contrast to the cheap, worthless, and even deceptive version of it warned about here? Inside Story~ Now Is The Time Debrah, a Seventh-day Adventist, missed her church fellowship after she married an unbeliever and moved with her husband to an area where there was no church. After some years, a group of Adventist laymen calling themselves the “Now Is The Time” team decided to hold meetings in this area. The first night of the meetings, Debrah's husband happened by and came in. Although he was very drunk, he realized that these meetings were being conducted by members of his wife's church. “Where have you been?” he demanded loudly. “My wife is a Seventh-day Adventist and she has been waiting years for you to come!” One of the workers persuaded him to come outside where his drunken behavior would not interrupt the meeting. Finally, he asked for a Bible to take to his wife and set off for home, some distance away. Meanwhile, Debrah had awakened from a vivid dream in which she had seen her husband entering the house with a Bible as a gift for her. She lay in the darkness, wondering what the dream meant. She knew it was unlikely that her husband would spend his money to buy her a Bible. About 2:00 am her husband came home and presented her with the Bible, just as she had dreamed. Thrilled over this sign of God's care, she couldn't go to sleep and finally decided to get up and find the place where the meetings were being held. Arriving very early in the morning, Debrah found the preachers and studied earnestly with them. She decided that nothing would ever keep her from serving the God who had spoken to her in a dream. Debrah’s husband was tolerant, but his parents were angry. They burned all her clothes. When the evangelistic team gave her more clothes, they burned them too. When her husband’s parents realized that she would not forsake her religion, they threw Debrah out of the home and bought another wife for their son. But eventually, because of his unhappiness, they relented and reinstated Debrah as their son's wife. Although her husband was glad to have her back, he showed no interest in religion himself. But as Debrah worked hard to please him and make him comfortable, while also spending as much time as she could helping others, her beautiful Christian life made an impression on him and he decided to become a Seventh-day Adventist. Today, he and Debrah work together to share God's love. ___ Debrah and her husband live in an unspecified country of Africa. INSIDE STORY

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