Jeremiah 30:1 – 33:26 (Continued)

November 15, 2011

Jeremiah 33 - Today I'm going to write about Chapter 33. Tomorrow I'm going to write about why Jeremiah 33 means so much to us.

Jeremiah is still locked up in the courtyard of the guard. He's done nothing wrong. He is there because Zedekiah was fighting against Nebuchadnezzar who was attacking the city and he didn't like what Jeremiah was saying. (See Jeremiah 32) What Zedekiah was mostly fighting against was obedience to God. He had lived his life doing it "my way" and he didn't want to hear the words of the LORD that Jeremiah was speaking. So instead of heeding the message he attacked the messenger, and Jeremiah was locked up. This was the second time the LORD spoke to Jeremiah while he was in prison.

The first time He said:

• Jeremiah, buy your cousin's field. I know it sounds crazy, but I want you to go out on a limb and do this.
• God reminds him that "nothing is impossible for me."
• God makes sure it is clear why the city is going to be destroyed and who is doing it.
• God gives a message of hope and redemption.

Now the LORD sends His second message to Jeremiah and says this:

• I AM the LORD
• I made the heavens and earth
• I shaped them and gave them order
• My name is the LORD

The LORD continues:

"Pray to me, and I will answer you. I will tell you important secrets you have never heard before."

Jeremiah 29:12–14 - "Then you will call my name. You will come to me and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will search for me. And when you search for me with all your heart you will find me! I will let you find me and I will bring you back from your captivity."

Psalm 91:15 - "They will call to me, and I will answer them. I will be with them in trouble; I will rescue them and honor them."

Psalm 50:15 - "Call to me in times of trouble. I will save you, and you will honor me."

Restoration! God gave hope and redemption in Chapter 32, and now He is telling Jeremiah: I will restore! "...Then I will bring health and healing to the people there. I will heal them and let them enjoy great peace and safety. I will bring (them) back from captivity and make them strong countries as in the past." Restoration! People from all around will be amazed at the things I am doing. They will be surprised and shocked. You are saying our country is empty and barren, there are no people or animals. "BUT this is what the LORD says," it is quiet now, but it will be filled with noise soon. Life will begin again. People will once again bring their offerings of thanksgiving to the LORD. They will say,

"Praise the LORD All-Powerful, because the LORD is good! His love continues forever!"

They will say this because I will again do good things for Judah, as I did in the beginning," says the LORD. This place is empty now, but it will be restored.

"In those days and at that time, I will make a good branch sprout from David's family. He will do what is fair and right in the land. At that time Judah will be saved, and the people of Jerusalem will live in safety. The branch will be named: The LORD Does What Is Right." (See Jeremiah 23:5–6)

God continued to speak to Jeremiah and He said: "I have an agreement with day and night that they will always come at the right times. If you could change that agreement, ONLY THEN could you change my agreement with David and Levi." ONLY THEN. His promises are secure. There are five "only then" statements in verse 20–25. He will do what is fair and right. The only way He won't is if we have the power and/or authority to change His agreement with day and night. ONLY THEN. The LORD keeps His promises. Jeremiah 3:26 - "I will be kind to them and cause good things to happen to them again."

Hope! Redemption! Restoration!

"Praise the LORD All-Powerful, because the LORD is good!  His love continues forever!"


Next Entry: Jane's Journey Home...