After the division of the nation, things went from bad to worse. In the Northern Kingdom, King Jeroboam made some terrible spiritual choices that had a long-lasting impact for evil. Read 1 Kings 12:26-31. What should this tell us about how immediate circumstances can so blind our judgment? The king’s introduction of idolatrous worship helped … Continue reading –>
When the Israelites had finally entered the Promised Land, after years of wandering in the wilderness, it wasn’t long before troubles began. All it took was for a new generation to arise, one that didn’t know the Lord (Judg. 2:10), and a spiritual crisis started that, in many ways, infected the nation all through its … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Judg. 2:1-15; 1 Kings 12:26-31; 2 Chron. 33:9-10; Jer. 2:1-28; Jer. 5:2-3. Memory Text: ‘Israel was holiness to the Lord. The firstfruits of His increase. All that devour him will offend; disaster will come upon them,’ says the Lord (Jeremiah 2:3, NKJV). If we could pick one word to describe … Continue reading –>
Harry and Alex* worked as security guards in Malawi. They often talked to break up the boredom. One night Alex said, I have an idea how we could earn some extra money. What’s that? Harry asked, interested. We could use our rifles in a little side business, Alex said, lifting his gun. Rich people have … Continue reading –>
Martin Luther wrote about the prophet in the introduction of his commentary to the book of Jeremiah: Jeremiah was a sad prophet, who lived in a deplorable and difficult period and, what is more, his prophetic service was extremely difficult as he was struggling and fighting with a bad-tempered and stubborn people. Apparently he did … Continue reading –>
The prophet is God’s witness; his job is to speak not for himself but for God alone. Jeremiah wasn’t called to find solutions to the problems of the nation, or to become a great personality or charismatic leader whom the people would follow. Jeremiah had the singular mission to transmit the words of God to … Continue reading –>
Despite the Lord’s assurance that Jeremiah had been divinely chosen for this task, the young man was frightened and didn’t feel up to it. Perhaps knowing the spiritual state of people at the time, which wasn’t good, and knowing what needed to be done, Jeremiah didn’t want the job. Compare Jeremiah 1:6 with Isaiah 6:5 … Continue reading –>
Read Jeremiah 1:1-5. What does this tell us about Jeremiah’s calling? Just like other prophets in the Old Testament (and like Paul in the new; see Gal. 1:1, Rom. 1:1), Jeremiah didn’t waffle in regard to who called him. He was very clear in these verses and, in fact, all through the book of Jeremiah, … Continue reading –>
Read 1 Kings 1:1-53 and 1 Kings 2:26. What was the background that led to the exile of Abiathar to his home in Anathoth? After he strengthened his throne, Solomon, in a conflict with Adonijah over succession, removed Abiathar the priest from his office and sent him into exile back to his hometown, Anathoth, believed … Continue reading –>
The prophets, according to their calling, were determined protectors of God’s law. They stood on the ground of the covenant and the Ten Commandments (Jer. 11:2-6). Micah 3:8 gives one summary of the prophets’ work, which was to declare unto Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin. And the concept of sin, of course, … Continue reading –>
