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 19-22.
The passage begins by Jeremiah prophesying against Judah and Jerusalem to the religious and secular leaders of the people. He condemned them for sacrificing their children to their idols, just as the people of the United States sacrifice their children on the altar of abortion. This condemnation is for those who defend the practice as much or more as for those who actually practice it. Throughout history, if there has been a more vile sin than sacrificing one’s own children it is encouraging others to sacrifice theirs. No people who practice child sacrifice, and abortion in the U.S. is child sacrifice, will escape punishment (unless they repent of this evil practice).
Jeremiah complains that he is mocked for speaking the words God gives him, that even his closest friends are seeking to use the words he speaks against him. However, when he vows to keep silent, God’s words burn in his heart. He is exhausted by the effort to not speak. Despite the fact that he is mocked, belittled, and attacked for speaking God’s word, Jeremiah is not afraid. He committed his life to God and knows that God will protect him. If we follow Jeremiah’s example, we can be sure of the same protection. God will stand at our side like a mighty warrior and cause our enemies to stumble.
I am hesitant to say my next point because I am not Jeremiah. Nevertheless, I understand what he is talking about when he says that the words burn inside him when he tries to keep silent. From time to time, I say something which causes people to turn on me (often times because I have said something I should not have said, but not always). Then I promise myself that I will watch my tongue and avoid saying anything I know will offend someone. But before long I find myself unable to keep my silence any longer, and once more I start confronting those whose words seem foolish to me. Lately, when I have been tempted to keep silent I have read passages such as today’s which encourage me to speak up when I feel the need. I have, also, read passages which remind me to watch my tongue and only speak the words which God gives me to speak.
Today’s passage ends with Jeremiah warning the leaders, and the people who supported them, that if they did not change their ways they would be conquered by the Babylonian army. He condemns them for their corruption, for oppressing the poor, and for killing the innocent. These same charges can be leveled against our political leaders today. If we want to avoid the fate which befell those to whom Jeremiah spoke we must follow the advice he gave them. That advice is that we should be fair-minded and just, help those who have been robbed, rescue the oppressed from their oppressor, do not mistreat foreigners, widows, or orphans. And stop murdering the innocent. Jeremiah emphasized that last and we must do the same. There are many among us who emphasize, at least by their words, the importance of the former while at the same time promoting abortion, which is the murder of the innocent.