Jeremiah was not his own man

Jeremiah 50:1-8

First and foremost Jeremiah was not his own man; he was God’s man, God’s prophet, God’s messenger to Judah, Israel, and the nations.  Many of the people of Judah believe that Jeremiah could find no wrong with the Babylonians and yet there is more ink on the prophecies against Babylon than most all the other nations put together.

The Chaldeans and Babylonians are the same people, and Bel is the title of the storm god, and Marduk is the major god of the Babylonians, he was their creator god who brings order out of chaos.  Only one problem with little gods they are false and God has spoken, they will be devastated.  In verse three when Jeremiah uses the term nations from the north we think of Babylon in that so often Jeremiah has used that term to refer to them.  But not this time for a nation or nations are coming from the north to bring destruction to Babylon, and many believe it was Persia.

Now when it comes to verses 4-5, we must turn back to chapter 30-33, chapter thirty tells about the restoration of Israel and Judah and in chapter 31 the Lord turns mourning to joy.  Do you recall God telling Jeremiah to buy a field during the time Judah was under siege, in chapter 32, and in chapter 33 the Lord promised to Judah and Israel an everlasting covenant?

Verse six refers to lost sheep and bad shepherds, and as dad said so often, we have learned nothing from history for we keep repeating it.  It is easy to I.D. the lost sheep, that’s the majority of us, but often we do not identify the shepherds.  They are dads who are given the role of leader in their homes; they are the ones told to lead their family in the ways of the Lord.  They are the ones who have not done their jobs, and it is we dads who will be held responsible before our Holy God.  After dads, there is an extensive list of secondary shepherds such as President or leader of a nation, priests and preachers, false teachers, and business leaders.

Often in judgment, we do not see the merciful hand of God, but it's seen if one looks.  Jeremiah is telling them to act in the manner of a male goat or a ram that leads the others when the gate to the pen is open.  They were to flee Babylon before the enemy came to kill steal and destroy, it’s a clear message much like what John 10:10 has given to us.

If you have any understanding of Jeremiah and his prophecy you understand he is batting 100% and Babylon is history.  In the same way, if you have studied the Bible you know Jesus tells the truth, and at some point, each of us is going to stand in judgment before a Holy God.  Jesus at the cross stood in your place and took the full wrath of God for your sin and mine, but now it is a choice to put your trust in that finished work of the cross or to stand in your own righteousness.  If you choose your righteousness God calls that the same as filthy rags, and you are not going to enjoy that day before a Holy all knowing God.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice