Day 232, August 20 Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Jeremiah 37-38; Ezekiel 29:1-16; Ezekiel 30:20-26; Ezekiel 31:1-18
Irrevocable Plans
Some written plans aren’t easily changed. A trust, contract, or another legal document may be irrevocable, and there are consequences for violating it. When violations happen, justice must be meted out.
Israel had an agreement, a covenant with God, written on stone tablets, but Christians have one written in their hearts between them and God.
God’s Covenant with Israel
The LORD’s covenant with Israel was conditional and patterned after the Suzerain Treaty of the day.The LORD is the Sovereign, and the Israelites are his subjects. There are commandments she must keep to stay in his good graces and receive blessings and rewards for faithfulness. There are also curses for disobedience.
It wasn’t long before Israel broke the agreement that she swore to keep. God was merciful to forgive her many times. Still, his justice demanded that he act and punish his people for their violations of the covenant.
God’s Covenant With Us
God has a new covenant with us, purchased by the sacrificial death of his Son Jesus Christ (Luke 22:20). When we receive Christ as our Savior from sin and spiritual death, our inner person is changed, and we want to please our Sovereign Lord (more...). Have we received him? The Lord wants to bless us.
But Christians may also be disciplined if they turn away from God and disobey him. God wants us to be holy and righteous like him. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9, NIV). We will then be joyful people, once again, who love the Lord and are kind to others.
Irrevocable Plans
God’s plans for Israel were not able to be changed because he instituted them, and the LORD is faithful. The same is true for God’s plan of redemption for us. If we receive the new covenant of salvation through Jesus Christ alone, the LORD will not rescind it—he is faithful (1 Corinthians 1:9; 1Thessalonians 5:23-24; Hebrews 10:23). In the future, the Jewish nation will also have this new covenant applied to them, and all will be saved (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hebrews 8:8-12).
Punishment on Israel
Israel became a divided kingdom, north and south. Because of her extreme wickedness, God used Assyria to conquer the northern territory of Israel and exile its people.
In today’s Bible reading, the LORD has been gracious and patient with Judah for over 100 years after Israel was captured and deported. He is waiting for her to return to him from her rebellion and wickedness. It isn’t happening. Instead, Judah is becoming more and more wicked and wretched.
Babylon is God’s instrument for punishing Judah. Already, Babylon has attacked twice. Nebuchadnezzar took Judah’s king, nobles, soldiers, and much of the people away into exile. He also confiscated the palace and temple treasuries. King Nebuchadnezzar then appointed Zedekiah to rule over Judah. Zedekiah is her last king.
Rebellion
After ten years, King Zedekiah forges an alliance with Egypt and rebels against Babylon. Babylon is irate and besieges Jerusalem so that she experiences famine. Her fate is sealed. God has sent messages by his prophets time after time, warning her of coming judgment, but she won’t listen. Babylon will soon attack a third time and destroy her. This is the prophecy of Jeremiah.
Jeremiah Suffers
The people of Judah do not like Jeremiah’s message. After he delivers it, he seeks to get his share of some property in the former territory of Benjamin. He is caught and accused of deserting to the Babylonians, and then he is beaten and put into a dungeon.
Although Jeremiah suffers from his negative pronouncement of judgment, after he is released, his message doesn’t change. God’s plans are irrevocable. He is holy and righteous, and he expects his people to be the same.
The royal officials complain that Jeremiah is discouraging the soldiers and the people. The king then gives them permission to deal with Jeremiah as they think best. They seize him and lower him into a dry well. Jeremiah sinks deep into the mud and is left there to starve. Ebed-Melech, a royal official, informs the king of Jeremiah’s dire situation, and he is once again rescued.
Last Chance
Jeremiah says the king has one chance to save himself and his people—surrender to the Babylonians. If he doesn’t, the Babylonians will kill them and burn the city.
Zedekiah is relying on Egypt to help Jerusalem break the siege. Egypt gives Jerusalem temporary relief, but it does not last. Babylon will come back and destroy Egypt after she deals with Jerusalem.
After Babylon attacks Egypt, she will be a weak nation, never arising as a world power. Her actions, too, are irrevocable. God says, “Egypt will no longer be a source of confidence for the people of Israel but will be a reminder of their sin in turning to her for help. Then they will know that I am the Sovereign LORD” (Ezekiel 29:16, NIV).
Is the Almighty our God? Do we rely upon him, or everyone and everything else but him? Those who trust in the LORD are not disappointed. There is mercy for those who turn from their sin to him for salvation. He offers us forgiveness, peace, and spiritual life.
Discussion
What was the covenant like for Israel, and what is the new covenant like for us?
What happens when we obey or disobey God’s covenant?
Is sharing God’s message always popular? Why should we do it?
Focus Verses
Psalm 33:10-11 (NIV) “The LORD foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.”
Write a private prayer response to today’s Bible study:
Please send your comments to mtbiblestudies@gmail.com
Looking Ahead: Jerusalem, the capital of Judah, is destroyed. Is there any Hope in her Despair? Is there any hope when we despair of our circumstances? Find out in our Next Lesson.
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