Click HERE to read the passage.
Renowned leadership expert, Dr. John Maxwell, probably said it best when he wrote in one of his books, "Everything rises and falls on leadership." Nothing could be more representative of what happened to Israel and Judah than this statement. In fact, in today's reading, God is putting much of the blame of the wickedness of the people on it's leaders - the nation's king, priests and prophets. While leadership may have its rewards, it also has an impact on those who follow under their leadership.
In recent news, Russia has made numerous attacks on the sovereign nation of Ukraine while targeting civilian areas throughout its major cities. In spite of its enormous firepower, Russia has sustained massive losses in combat troops and equipment. It's morale is at an all-time low. It's citizens are revolting. Soldiers are fleeing for their lives. Even his own cabinet members are in shock, and his generals are frustrated and dismayed. Why? Because of horrible leadership.
Today's reading is all about God indicting the leaders of Israel and Judah. It's their fault the people have dulled their moral senses and have fallen away from God. As a result, God knows of no other way to get His message across than to destroy them and their families!
In fact, I find it ironic and somewhat hilarious that as we begin in 21:1 that Pashur, the priest who arrested, whipped, and put Jeremiah into the stocks in front of one of the city's main gates to humiliate him (20:1-2), is now going to Jeremiah is an attempt to beg him to ask God for help! Pashur, the priest, is now seeking the help of Jeremiah. In stead of discerning him as a man of God or even in hearing from God himself, Pashur now becomes a name in the scriptures affiliated with stupidity and condemned as horrible leader.
I find it interesting in chapter 22 that while Jehoiakim is making all these wonderful plans in building a beautiful palace, he simply doesn't want to believe that it's all for not. God is going to have the soldiers of Babylon destroy whatever aspect of the palace is already completed. Jehoiakim is excited about the plans of a beautiful palace to live in which will never happen!
This story reminds me of so many of us!
We have exciting plans for our lives. We live out each day thinking our lives are going to get better, we'll one day have lots of money, we'll have that new car, that nice home, a boat, exotic vacations, and a future of relaxation and fulfillment. However, far too many millionaires have made their fortunes without the health to enjoy it. Far too many mega stars have become famous only to die alone, depressed, and with a sense of no real accomplishment. The truth is...only what's done for Christ will last! That's why Jesus tells us "not" to labor to be rich, but rather to "lay up treasures in Heaven."
I've been at the bedside of many dying people. I've seen a few take their last breath. None of them gloat in their earthly accomplishments. None of them talk about how much money they've made or their nice homes. All of that is irrelevant now! Instead, many of them have cried as I've held their hand wishing they had done life differently, wishing they had given more time to God, to family, and to helping others. Please don't make their mistake yours.
I was actually shocked when reading the last few passages of chapter 22. God is furious with Jehoichin, the current king of Judah. In fact, God's fury is so great against him that He says, "Let the record show that this man Jehoiachin was childless. He is a failure." Imagine God calling you a "failure." God basically is telling him "your life will amount to nothing." How heartbroken would YOU be to hear those words from your Creator? In fact, take a moment to reflect. Has your life amounted to anything worth God's praise? Have you led people into God's plan of salvation? Have you offered God to take your life and use it for whatever He wants to use it for? If not, when will you?
God's Heart Is Broken Because Of Bad Leadership
Did you capture what God said about the spiritual leaders of Jeremiah's day? In 23:9, He says, "Even the priests and prophets are ungodly, wicked men. I have seen their despicable acts right here in my own Temple,” says the Lord." Just because someone serves in the ministry doesn't mean they're Godly! In fact, today there are MANY false prophets! There are MANY who claim to hear from the Lord, but it was only their imagination and desire to be someone important.
Look at what Jeremiah said about them, "My heart is broken because of the false prophets, and my bones tremble...For they all do evil and abuse what power they have." (23:9,10)
They Prophecy False Truth!
God warns the people to stop listening to the other prophets. He tells them that these prophets are telling lies, dreaming up visions and ideas. Listen to what He says, "I have not sent these prophets, yet they run around claiming to speak for me. I have given them no message, yet they go on prophesying." In fact, God is so furious with them that He says in 23:34, "If any prophet, priest, or anyone else says, ‘I have a prophecy from the Lord,’ I will punish that person along with his entire family." God is done with them.
God Is Everywhere!
Did you see what God said about Himself? He informs us that He is omnipresent - meaning He is everywhere, and can see all things at once! Notice what He says in 23:24, "Can anyone hide from me in a secret place? Am I not everywhere in all the heavens and earth?” says the Lord."
In chapter 25, Jeremiah shares that he's been warning the nations for 23 years! Imagine preaching to a crowd for 23 years and with no positive results or good response! The world would probably label him as a "bad preacher" in terms of earthly success. But, one day, all that will be turned around! When Jesus sits on the throne in Jerusalem during His earthly reign for 1000 years, men like Jeremiah will be our heroes - not the football stars, nor the Hollywood elite.
The Return To Jerusalem In 70 Years.
One last thing I want to mention that's worthy of noting is 25:12 - "Then, after the seventy years of captivity are over, I will punish the king of Babylon and his people for their sins,” says the Lord. “I will make the country of the Babylonians[u] a wasteland forever."
The reason I find this verse so important is because Daniel did! Within the next few weeks we'll be looking at the book of Daniel, who was exiled to Babylon. But while in Babylon, he read this verse in the book of Jeremiah and realized the 70 year mark was fast approaching. You can read about it in Daniel 9:2 - "During the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, learned from reading the word of the Lord, as revealed to Jeremiah the prophet, that Jerusalem must lie desolate for seventy years. So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and fasting."
When true prophets speak on behalf of the Lord, ALL of their prophecies come true! Sadly, we live in a day when many preachers claim to be prophets and make attempts to speak on behalf of God of future events. Even more sad is that many of them think nothing of it when their prophecy isn't fulfilled. Some think that if they're correct most of the time, that's good enough! It's NOT!!!! God told Moses that if anyone prophesied in His name and it didn't come to pass, them the children of Israel were to immediately stone them to death because they lied about speaking on behalf of God. God does NOT like false prophets! You can see that for yourself in these writings of Jeremiah.
That's why God tells us in 1 John 4:1 - "Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world. This is how we know if they have the Spirit of God"
The next time someone says they're speaking on behalf of God or that "God told me", be discerning! Test them to see if they're really from God!
No comments:
Post a Comment