As we continue our journey
of learning throughout the book of Lamentations, we have come to a
series of questions which Jeremiah has put before his readers. The
first question concerned predictions and their coming to pass, and in
the thirty-eighth verse of the third chapter we see the second
question where we read:
Out of the mouth of the
most High proceeds not evil and good?
The
verse begins, “Out of the mouth of the most High...” Jeremiah
begins this verse by sharing the source of what is about to be
disclosed, “the most High” and refers to God speaking.
There are many voices in the world, however, none of them excel that
of the Creator. When God speaks, we should pay close attention to
what He has to say.
The
verse continues, “...proceeds not evil and good?” Here,
upon first glance, seems to be a controversy. How can it be that God
speaks both “evil and good”? It will help us to define
“evil” which means in this case, “bad things,
calamities, or misery”, and it will help to share the meaning of
the word “good” which means “pleasant, agreeable and
prosperous”. In other words, Jeremiah asked the question as to
whether “the most High” would allow for not only good
things to happen, but also bad things to happen. Bad things happened
all over Jerusalem and Judah, and though they occurred, let us keep
in mind that it was the people's behavior that brought them to this
point.
It may
help us to be reminded of what Job said to his wife when she
questioned him as he was afflicted in his life. We read this in Job
chapter two and verse ten:
But he said unto her, You speak as one of the foolish women speak.
What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not
receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.
The
question of our concern is rhetorical in nature and solicits an
affirmation in unspoken response. Sometimes “the most High”
does allow calamities in our lives, and sometimes He allows
prosperity. The idea is that He is sovereign, and His purposes are
not always known. If we were to consider only the crucification of
Jesus itself, we might say that God allowed “evil” to come
into Jesus' life. However, because the Heavenly Father allowed
calamity to fall upon Jesus, we may have access to and have
fellowship with Almighty God. May the Lord teach us all to trust
fully in Him whether “evil” or “good” proceed
out of His mouth.
Next
time we see a question about how a man complains, so read ahead, and
we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow...there is more...
Look
for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From
Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be
Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the
Mount” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ;
www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore
No comments:
Post a Comment