Bible Chapter: Jeremiah 33 & 34

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
When God promises peace, in His time and way, it will happen.  It is important to trust God and seek to live how He directs.  God promised, through the prophet, that the line of King David would continue.  The “Righteous Branch” foretold the coming of Jesus, the Messiah.  And, the covenant promise given said that the line of ancestors would be as the stars of the sky.
We also see that it is important to obey God.  The nation had been told many, many years before to release Hebrew slaves after seven years.  They had not done that, but here they did.  And then, they reversed their decision and took the people back as slaves.  This reversal and disobedience brought God’s promise of judgement for their selfish rebellion.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
In looking at chapter 34 and reading about what they did, the concept of motivation in obedience to God comes out.  It is not only what we do but why we do it.  The king urged the people to obey God’s law and set their slaves free.  The motivation of the king and the slave owners was not pure, was not a concern for justice and God’s law. They were looking at how they could gain advantage through their “obedience”.  It is not only important to know the right thing to do, but to also do it for the right reason.

3.  How can I help someone?
I am thinking about, not only helping someone, but the reason why I might help them. I have found it very easy to do right things, but doing them with the thought of some gain I might receive as a result.  This passage is a challenge to do what God says, and at the same time do it with a right motivation.  I am reminded of Colossians 3:23
23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, ( NKJV)