Bible Chapter: Jeremiah 23 & 24

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.
    God declared through Jeremiah that great sorrow was ahead for the leaders, the shepherds of the people. They had destroyed and scattered the ones they were supposed to care for. Instead of caring for the flock and providing them with safety, they deserted them. So God declared judgment would come for the evil they had done. There would come a time when God would gather those that had been faithful and appoint responsible shepherds to care for them. God promised that there would be righteous descendants who would serve Him. A very sad statement is that God’s heart was broken because of the false prophets. These people who claimed to speak for God were only telling lies they had made up. The land was full of adultery and under a curse. So many of the leaders were filled with evil and abusing their power. They love dishonesty and did not turn anyone away from their sins.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    God spoke to Jeremiah through a vision. There were some exiles who were in the land of Babylon that God promised to watch over and care for. He said He would bring them back and their hearts would recognize God and they would be His people. The other part of the vision showed the judgments that was coming to the King and the officials that had promoted so much evil and disobeyed God. God said He would make them an object of horror and they will be disgraced and marked. I see here another lesson of God’s righteousness and His refusal to cover over sin. Unrepentant sin always brings God’s judgment. I must always remember that.

3.  How can I help someone?
    It is easy to think that God’s greatest focus is on judgment and punishment. But we also see His mercy and forgiveness and desire to help all who are submissive to Him. We don’t have to be afraid when we are living in obedience to God.