I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on Jeremiah 16-18.

    Jeremiah continues his rant against the sins of the people of Jerusalem. He tells them that disaster is coming, that it is no longer avoidable. They would suffer because their ancestors had abandoned the Lord, but not just because of their ancestors sins. The disaster was coming because their sins were even worse than those of their ancestors. Jeremiah’s entire point was that each generation added new sins on top of those which came before. Mankind follows this same pattern time after time. Each generation pushes the envelope of sin further than the last until finally the pile of sins becomes so high that it topples over on them in a disaster which spreads suffering onto just about everyone. Then people rediscover God and righteousness and the cycle resets.

    In these times of disaster (and even in the good times) we must choose where we will put our ultimate trust. Where will we look in order to determine right from wrong? If we look to humans, ourselves or others, as the source which determines right from wrong, we will be like a tumbleweed in the desert. Blown ever further from the truth. Our hearts will deceive us into thinking that what we want to be right is right, even when we know it is wrong. On the other hand, if we look to God as the source for determining right from wrong, we will be like a tree planted by a body of water. Firmly rooted with no need for concern when the dry months come. God can look into our heart and see where our selfishness leads. If we look to Him for knowledge of right and wrong He will reveal our selfishness to us and guide us to the path of success.

    Once again in this passage Jeremiah uses a metaphor to communicate the message which God has given him. This metaphor is of a potter shaping clay. In the same way which a potter shapes clay, so does God shape people, and nations. And, just as a potter may change his mind about the way in which he is shaping the clay, so may God change His mind about the form into which He is shaping us, or our nation. In explaining that metaphor, Jeremiah explains that, even though he has been prophesying that it is too late for Judah to avoid the judgment which God is about to mete out on them, it is always worth repenting of our sins and turning to God in obedience. While God may be planning to bring disaster on us, and/or our nation, because of our sins, if each and every one of us turns from our sins He will change His mind and withhold that disaster. In the same manner, if God was planning to bless us because of our faithfulness and we turn from Him to sin, He will withhold from us that blessing and pour out disaster upon us. No matter how evil we have been, there is always value in turning from our sins to serve and worship God.