It is Important to Never Quit
April 14, 2022
Commentary
This message was given through Jeremiah during the fourth year of King Je-hoiakim, the same year Nebuchadnezzar came to power in Babylon (v. 1). By this time, Jeremiah had faithfully preached God’s message for twenty-five years. Repeatedly, he warned the people to repent, but they refused to listen (vv. 2–3). God had patiently given them opportunities to turn back to Him. He sent other prophets to warn the nation to leave their sin and evil practices (vv. 4–7). Yet the people continued in rebellion. Their disobedience caused Judah and the surrounding nations to go into captivity for seventy years. This was not a random number, but a specific period determined by God.
Other Scriptures explain why the captivity would last 70 years. God had commanded Israel to give the land a Sabbath rest every 7th year (Lev. 25:3–5). The land was to remain fallow, and the people were to trust God to provide for them. However, for many years, the nation ignored this command. God had warned them that if they continued to disobey, He would remove them from the land so it could enjoy its required rest (Lev. 26:33–35). The people repeatedly rejected His warnings, so God summoned the Babylonians to bring judgment upon Judah (vv. 8–11). Yet God also promised that after the 70 years were over, Babylon would be punished for its sins and pride (vv. 12–14).
Someone once said that their favorite words in Scripture are, “And it came to pass.” There is comfort in remembering that difficult seasons do not remain forever. Under God’s sovereign plan, Judah was repeatedly warned, but eventually the day of judgment arrived. Jeremiah’s faithful example reminds us that even when people refuse to listen, it’s important to never quit obeying and speaking the truth God has given.
Application
Am I remaining faithful even when others ignore God’s truth? Am I still obeying God when serving Him becomes difficult? Am I listening to God’s warnings with a humble and willing heart? Am I trusting that difficult seasons will pass in God’s timing? Am I continuing to speak God’s truth patiently and lovingly today?
Jeremiah 25:1–14 (NET)
1 In the fourth year that Jehoiakim son of Josiah was king of Judah, the Lord spoke to Jeremiah concerning all the people of Judah. (That was the same as the first year that Nebuchadnezzar was king of Babylon.) 2 So the prophet Jeremiah spoke to all the people of Judah and to all the people who were living in Jerusalem. 3 “For the last twenty-three years, from the thirteenth year that Josiah son of Amon was ruling in Judah until now, the Lord’s messages have come to me and I have told them to you over and over again. But you would not listen. 4 Over and over again the Lord has sent his servants the prophets to you. But you have not listened or paid attention. 5 He said through them, ‘Each of you must turn from your wicked ways and stop doing the evil things you are doing. If you do, I will allow you to continue to live here in the land that I gave to you and your ancestors as a lasting possession. 6 Do not pay allegiance to other gods and worship and serve them. Do not make me angry by the things that you do. Then I will not cause you any harm.’ 7 So, now the Lord says, ‘You have not listened to me. But you have made me angry by the things that you have done. Thus you have brought harm on yourselves.’
8 “Therefore, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says, ‘You have not listened to what I said. 9 So I, the Lord, affirm that I will send for all the peoples of the north and my servant, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. I will bring them against this land and its inhabitants and all the nations that surround it. I will utterly destroy the land, its inhabitants, and all the surrounding nations and make them everlasting ruins. I will make them objects of horror and hissing scorn. 10 I will put an end to the sounds of joy and gladness and the glad celebration of brides and grooms in these lands. I will put an end to the sound of people grinding meal. I will put an end to lamps shining in their houses. 11 This whole area will become a desolate wasteland. These nations will be subject to the king of Babylon for seventy years.’
12 “‘But when the seventy years are over, I will punish the king of Babylon and his nation for their sins. I will make the land of Babylon an everlasting ruin. I, the Lord, affirm it! 13 I will bring on that land everything that I said I would. I will bring on it everything that is written in this book. I will bring on it everything that Jeremiah has prophesied against all the nations. 14 For many nations and great kings will make slaves of the king of Babylon and his nation too. I will repay them for all they have done.’”
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