As Jeremiah continued his
lament over the conditions of Judah and Jerusalem after their
destruction, he shared how they were alone in their misery and
without strangers or neighbors to come to their aid. Their affliction
was sent by the LORD in their eyes, and now they were experiencing
sorrow upon sorrow. In chapter one and verse thirteen Jeremiah added
to the details about how the LORD has afflicted them. He wrote:
From above has he sent
fire into my bones, and it prevails against them: he has spread a net
for my feet, he has turned me back: he has made me desolate and
faint all the day.
The
verse begins, “From above has he sent fire into my bones, and it
prevails against them:” The judgment of the LORD was like fire
burning in their bones, and there was no way to stop it. The book of
Deuteronomy chapter four and twenty-four describes God in this way:
For the LORD your God
is a consuming fire, even a jealous God.
The
people of Jerusalem and Judah were found this to be very true.
The
verse continues, “he has spread a net for my feet, he has turned
me back:” Not only did the people burn within because of the
judgment of God, but their troubles were like “a net” that
was set as a trap for their feet. Like a device set for wild animals,
the people were now caught in traps in which they were warned. The
result is their backsides are now showing, and their embarrassment is
exhibited for all to see.
The
verse goes on to say, “he has made me desolate and
faint all the day.” Now rather than flourishing and teeming
with population, the city was made “desolate” which means
“appalled, stunned, and stupefied”, and they were “faint”
or “weak and unwell” all day long.
As we
ponder the fire, the net, the turning back, and the desolation and
fainting of Jerusalem, it might be that we have felt like this at
times. Sometimes the difficulties in life feel as though we have been
sent fire from heaven or been caught in a trap. Troubles often bring
us shame, and we may doubt whether we know God at all. Painful times
leave us stunned and weak, and we wonder if God really cares. In
these times we can be assured of this, God is always with us, always
cares, and is always ready to help us in our times of need. This
horrific illustration of Jerusalem's plight has been given to us to
know the misery that comes from leaving our relationship with God. As
we ponder these things, let us remember this: Keep our relationship
close with God, and even when the rough times come we will know He is
near.
Next
time we will see how the LORD afflicted Jerusalem, 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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