Because of the sins and
iniquities of the prophets and priests in Jerusalem, the city was not
only destroyed but their neighbors ridiculed them as they wandered
through the streets as men who were defiled by blood. In chapter four
and verse sixteen of Lamentations we discover the source of
Jerusalem's troubles concerning the prophets and priests where we
read:
The anger of the LORD
has divided them; he will no more regard them: they respected not the
persons of the priests, they favored not the elders.
The
verse begins, “The anger of the LORD has divided them;”
Jeremiah said it was the Lord who "divided"
which means "to divide, share,
plunder, allot, apportion, or assign" the people from the
prophets and priests. Though the conditions of separation may have
appeared natural among the people, the Lord was the cause of them
being apart.
The verse continues, “he will no more regard them:” Not only did The Lord divide the people from the prophets and priests , but He also would no longer "regard" which means "show regard to, pay attention to, or consider" them. Although these leaders were once on positions of great authority and respect, they were no longer paid attention to and consider by the Lord.
Finally the verse says, “they respected not the persons of the priests, they favored not the elders.” The sins of the prophets, priests, and also “elders” made them lose respect not only from God but also from the people as well. Sin separates, and when it is left without repentance it divides not only from God, but also from people as well. .
The verse continues, “he will no more regard them:” Not only did The Lord divide the people from the prophets and priests , but He also would no longer "regard" which means "show regard to, pay attention to, or consider" them. Although these leaders were once on positions of great authority and respect, they were no longer paid attention to and consider by the Lord.
Finally the verse says, “they respected not the persons of the priests, they favored not the elders.” The sins of the prophets, priests, and also “elders” made them lose respect not only from God but also from the people as well. Sin separates, and when it is left without repentance it divides not only from God, but also from people as well. .
As we ponder Jeremiah's words perhaps we have thought of areas in our lives that would divide us from others if they knew, and it might be that the anger of the Lord is only delayed because of his mercy. For those who have received Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord there is the promise in the Bible that the anger of god was poured out upon Him and nothing can separate us from the love of god. If we have areas of sin in our lives wherein we should repent, let us do so, and enjoy the mercy, forgiveness and closeness the Lord desires for each of us.
Next
time see for what the people of Jerusalem were watching, 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
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