I have been outlining what would be referred to by my commentaries as the "Baruch document" Chapters 34-45. It's the story part of Jeremiah when you hear about this life. And it's scary, really scary. So here's Jeremiah, he's been speaking the Word of the Lord and has a pretty good "track record" people, kings even come to him and ask him to inquire of the Lord, that's pretty cool, but here's the thing, no one ever listens to him, occasionally some officials do and when they let the king know the king burns Jeremiah's scrolls (chapter 36). Seriously read it, not only do people not listen (so they continue in rebellion against the Lord) but Jeremiah has to experience the judgment that comes to Judah as a result of them rebelling against that Lord.
I think a lot about the Jeremiah 23:22 Word of the Lord, the Word of the Lord that causes people to turn from their wickedness. Here is where it hurts, it appears that the Word of the Lord either softens or hardens the heart, no one can be neutral when the Word of the Lord is spoken. People in Jeremiah's time, ask him for the Word of the Lord, say they will do it whether they like it or not and even call God as their witness, and then when they hear the Word of the Lord refuse to follow and decide to worship false gods (Chapter 42).
Hebrews 4:12 says the Word of God is living and active....and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Though people came and asked Jeremiah for the Word of the Lord they wanted him to say what they wanted to hear. The Word revealed that their hearts were still in rebellion against the Lord.
So I don't have any conclusion for you, but this is what I think about ALOT.
I guess to be continued
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Wendy,
You wrote this blog in April and here it is now November. I don't know if you will see this post.
First, I thank you for writing this. I needed today, to hear a fresh perspective.
For 21 years, the Lord has given to me in Word and in experience some things contained in the pages of Jeremiah. So, I think about this alot too. There are others that are experiencing the same things, but some don't know what they are experiencing or what it means. In a nutshell, we are living out the experience that is recorded in 2 Timothy 3. Which reads, This know also, that in the last days, perilous times shall come. For mankind shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God, (even) having a form of godliness (God likeness, made in his image), but they deny His power (to change them). From such turn away.
In perspective, about what you wrote, "it appears that the Word of the Lord either softens or hardens the heart, no one can be neurtral when the Word of the Lord is spoken", is the point. It is the whole point actually. Jesus said, I wish you would choose whether you want to be hot or cold, because if you are luke warm, I will vomit you out.
Violent rejection from the Lord is for those who won't choose, who will walk the line in truth and in error. James called this 'double mindedness'. This is why Jesus spoke this parable for those who professed they knew him, he saying to them, depart from me, you workers of iniquity, I never knew you. So, those who are doing the works, and then denying him in relationship have nothing over those that have a submitted relationship with Him doing from the heart what is faith. True submission, is obedience, with a trusting and grateful heart to the Only One that can save and Who has called us to know Him.
This was Jeremiah's personal passion, as seen in Jeremiah 8, 9, 12, 15, 20, and 23. And really through all his Words and preaching. He lost everything in order to live this life that God set Him apart for.
We are living in a similar time. History does repeat itself if we have not learned the lesson. God never changes, He remains the same, yesterday, today and forever. Because of His great love for us, he would do the same for us as He did for Israel and for Judah, during Jeremiah's time. To tell the truth (every person speaking the truth to His neighbor)so we can choose. That's the heighth of His glory and victory over Satan's challenge. That we would choose God, His Word and His ways, in the light of the truth, over anything else is where the battle is won inside ourselves. This is the victory that overcomes the world.
I believe, this side of my experience and study of Jeremiah, that Jeremiah was recorded just as much for those that God would raise up in strength, stronger than any metal known on earth, for the right time, as much as it was recorded for us to know the history.
It is a training manual, as all the Word of God is, for those who love Him and His Word. Amen?
You know why you love Jeremiah so much then, right? And why you think about it alot. And why you see things the way that you do. And why there are passions within you that you cannot explain, because not many you know have them the same.
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