The royal officials know that what Jeremiah has written and
Baruch has read is dynamite. They know
that it is true and that something must be done. They instruct Baruch to take Jeremiah and go
into hiding for they also know that when the king hears these words he will
seek their lives. The scroll is brought
to the king who impassively listens, cuts off the portion that has been read
and tosses it into the fire as though it were unimportant to him. This man could not be more different from his
father, Josiah. When Josiah read the
word of the Lord, he immediately repented of the sins of the nation and his
forefathers and restored the worship of Yahweh.
While Jehoiakim sought Jeremiah and Baruch, the Lord hid them, they are
more important to God’s scheme than the king.
Jesus sends out the twelve to proclaim the coming of the
kingdom of God. They are sent only to the lost sheep of Israel, not to Gentiles
and not to Samaritans, an interesting distinction made by Jesus. When they go they are to take nothing at all
with them, depending totally on the Lord for all provision. If we send out mission teams they are well
supplied with all they will need and it is typically an expensive
endeavor. He sent them out with a
message and with the power to share that message not only in word but also in
deed, healing the sick, raising the dead, cleansing lepers, and casting out
demons. Jesus doesn’t promise they will
always be welcomed but if they are the instructions are to accept that welcome
and remain. If they are not received,
they are to shake the dust off their feet in judgment against that town. We need to develop thicker skin and preach
the truth, repentance for the kingdom of God is near.
How does love fit into the first two lessons? The love for God impels the prophet to align
himself with God’s purpose no matter the cost.
He loves God’s holiness but also God’s desire to communicate with His people
concerning His desire to see them repent.
The prophet also aligns himself in love with the people. God’s desire is not for judgment, that is a
necessary thing to protect His Name which He has given His people. It must not be profaned by humans who are
intended to make Him known, those who have the Word and the Spirit. Love is to be the motivation for all we do,
love for God and love for neighbor. When
we use our gifts we are intended to use them in love to build up and not to
tear down. Sadly, I have known some who
despise the Body of Christ who believe themselves to be aligned with God in
speaking against the Church. If,
however, the desire to see the church repent and be reformed, to beautify the
Church, the messenger is a clanging symbol not only in the ears of the Church
but in the ears of God. To be in alignment
with God is to desire repentance, not judgment.
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