Study The Scripture Early In The Morning With ECWA Daily Devotions

THURSDAY, 9 MARCH 2023

TEXT: Jeremiah 2:1-19

1. The LORD gave me another message. He said,

2. “Go and shout this message to Jerusalem. This is what the LORD says: “I remember how eager you were to please me as young bride long ago, how you loved me and followed me even through the barren wilderness.

3. In those days Israel was holy to the LORD, the first of his children. All who harmed his people were declared guilty, and disaster fell on them. I, the LORD, have spoken!”

4. Listen to the word of the LORD, people of Jacob-all you families of Israel!

5. This is what the LORD says: “What did your ancestors find wrong with me that led them to stray so far from me? They worshiped worthless idols, only to become worthless themselves.

6. They did not ask, ‘Where is the LORD who brought us safely out of Egypt and led us through the barren wilderness- a land of deserts and pits, a land of drought and death, where no one lives or even travels?’

7. “And when I brought you into a fruitful land to enjoy its bounty and goodness, you defiled my land and corrupted the possession I had promised you.

8. The priests did not ask, ‘Where is the LORD?’ Those who taught my word ignored me, and the prophets spoke in the name of Baal, wasting their time on worthless idols.

9. Therefore, I will bring my case against you,” says the LORD. “I will even bring charges against your children’s children in the years to come.

10. “Go west and look in the land of Cyprus; go east and search through the land of Kedar. Has anyone ever heard of anything as strange as this?

11. Has any nation ever traded its gods for new ones, even though they are not gods at all? Yet my people have exchanged their glorious God for worthless idols!

12. The heavens are shocked at such a thing and shrink back in horror and dismay,” says the LORD.

13. “For my people have done two evil things: They have abandoned me- the fountain of living water. And they have dug for themselves cracked cisterns that can hold no water at all!

14. “Why has Israel become a slave? Why has he been carried away as plunder?

15. Strong lions have roared against him, and the land has been destroyed. The towns are now in ruins, and no one lives in them anymore.

16. Egyptians, marching from their cities of Memphis and Tahpanhes, have destroy Israel’s glory and power.

17. And you have brought this upon yourselves by rebelling against the LORD your God, even though he was leading you on the way!

18. “What have you gained by your alliances with Egypt and your covenants with Assyria? What good to you are the streams of the Nile or the waters of the Euphrates River?

19. Your wickedness will bring its own punishment. Your turning from me will shame you. You will see what an evil, bitter ting it is to abandon the LORD your God and not to fear him. I, the LORD, the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, have spoken!

(New Living Translation Holy Bible)

TOPIC: A PUBLIC DECLARATION AGAINST JERUSALEM

Following what we might consider as Jeremiah's commissioning in chapter one, now God sends him to Jerusalem with a strong message. God began with a reminder about Israel's early days of devotion and commitment to love God and live a holy life.

However, they had now turned away from Him and chosen to strike alliances with Egypt and Assyria, idolatrous people. So, God asked the question: "What fault did your ancestors find in me, that they strayed so far from me?" He provided the answer: "They followed worthless idols and became worthless themselves" (verse 5).

It is typical of human beings to become complacent, even rebellious, against God when all seems to be going on well with them. It is most disappointing when "The priests did not ask, 'Where is the Lord?' Those who deal with the law did not know me; the leaders rebelled against me. The prophets prophesied by Baal, following worthless idols" (verse 8).

Therefore, God's judgement was released upon the land. We are in no way different today, considering how far removed from God many of us in the Church have become because of our preference for worldliness rather than godliness.

QUESTION: How is your relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ? Standing, backsliding or you don't even know Him as your Savior?

PRAYER: Help me, dear Jesus, never to turn my back on You, irrespective of what experiences I may be passing through. Amen.