Saturday, December 15, 2012

Stand up and say to them whatever He commands

Jeremiah 1:9-19
The Lord's hand touched mouth of Jeremiah and said "Now I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant."
God let Jeremiah saw 1)the branch of an almond tree: I am watching  to see that God's word is fulfilled. 2) a boiling pot tilting away from the north: From the north disaster will be poured out o all who live in the land. Hebrew for watching sounds like the Hebrew for almond tree. 'shaqed/shoqed'
Because of my people's wickedness 1)in forsaking me, 2)in burning incense to other gods and 3)in worshiping what their hands have made.
The Lord asked Jeremiah Stand up and say to them whatever He command. Do not be terrified by them , or terrify you before them. They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you.
Why?
God shows and explains to the prophet what he is going to do: what Jeremiah must tell the people. They will not want to hear. They will be against Jeremiah from the outset. But God will protect him.
The prophet's ministry is negative and positive, destructive and constructive, about judgment and promise. He will speak to his ow people and to the nations.
In this period of Jewish history trouble always came from the north: first the powerful armies of Assyria; then the Babylonians in Jeremiah's day.
The Lard's angry burst to the Israel for their sins and the Lord compels them out from the promised land and will build ad plant them again with new heart in the promised land. God's promise never changed but His discipline is always their to let them know that He is the Lord.
How?
Do not forget the Lord is God. To be a prophet is a difficult mission but do not afraid of them for God will protect him. God's blessing and protection is over everything. Stand up and say to them whatever the Lord commands.

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