Foundations Week 25, Day 2

Scripture Read: Jeremiah 52; 2 Kings 24 - 25
Title: Judah is Exiled

H.E.A.R. 
(H) Highlight verse: "The king of Babylon had them struck down and put to death at Riblah, in the region of Hamath.  Thus Judah was exiled from its land."   Jeremiah 52:27

(E) Explain: As stated previously Jeremiah contains many prophecies of judgment against Judah.  It is in todays passages where we see these judgments come to pass.  Jeremiah has been warning Judah.  He has been calling them to repentance all to no avail.  In this account we read about the fall and destructionof Jerusalem, the temple and the city walls.  People were taken into captivity.  The king, Zedekiah, was taken captive and his sons were slaughtered before his eyes.  The king of Babylyone, Nebechadnezzar, had Zedekiah imprisoned and had his eyes put out.  The overthrowing of Judah was a long and savage ordeal leaving many dead or taken into captivity.  During their captivity Judah still had kings, however they were more like puppets than rulers, but they were imprisoned before the king of Babylon.  In the thirty seventh year of the exile Nebuchadnezzar's son King Evil merodach, released the current king of Judah, Jehoiachin, and this could be taken and seen as a sign of hope for the future of Judah.  

(A) Application: If one were to look back at Jeremiah's life, he would consider his ministry a failure.  However, God never said the people would turn away from their evil, in fact He said they would rebel.  Jeremiah was faithful to God and did what God commanded him to do, regardless of the outcome.  Jeremiah witnessed the jugment of God and this vicious beseige of the city occurred and I am sure it broke his heart to see this atrocity happen. 
I think this account of Jeremiah's life and the exile of Judah can serve as a dual reminder for us today...

1. We must be faithful to responding to God's call on our life no matter what.  God called Jeremiah to bring a message of warning and judgment to the people of Judah if they did not change their evil ways.  It was not the responsibility of Jeremiah to change the people, his responsibilty was to be the voice of God.  He was faithful to God's call no matter how much it probably pained him to see all that he had prophesied come to pass.
2. God is faithful in fulfilling His promises.  Unfortunately in this case, I would think this is one instance where the people of God were not overly excited about God doing what He saide He would.  However, God did not place his judgment on Judah hastily.  He was patient and gave them many opportunities to change and come back to him.  This is still true today.  He is merciful, He is patient, and He is a God who will fulfill His promises.
   

(R) Respond: Lord, may I be reminded of your calling on my life?  I will go where you send me, I will do as you ask, and I will be faithful to your calling no matter what.