Jeremiah determined that the
Lord did not hear the prayers of the people of Jerusalem and Judah
and that they were made as the offscouring and refuse in the midst of
others. In chapter three and verse forty-six Jeremiah acknowledges
the way their enemies acted toward them. We read:
All our enemies have
opened their mouths against us.
The
verse begins, “All our enemies...” Jeremiah uses the word
“all” which includes everyone or the whole group when
describing Jerusalem and Judah's “enemies” which means
“foes, opponents, and hated ones”. As he continues to describe
the plight of the people of Jerusalem and Judah, those tribes and
nations who were against them entered Jeremiah's mind and proceeded
to the page.
The
verse goes on to add, “...have opened their mouths against us.”
Not only did Jeremiah reference the enemies of Jerusalem and
Judah, but he also included their actions against them. They “have
opened their mouths” which at its core means “breathing or
panting” against them. Like a person who is enraged against another
breathes hard with determination for revenge, “all” the
“enemies” of Jerusalem and Judah were “against”
them.
It is
one thing to be going through great difficulties and quite another to
have our enemies against us while they happen. Jeremiah knew what it
was like to have enemies breathing out threats and slaughter against
his people, and perhaps as we consider his words we too have those
who are against us. We are in good company if this is so. Jesus
Himself had enemies, and when He brought nothing but good, they were
still against Him to the extent that they had Him beaten and
crucified. Whenever we face trials, troubles and hardships, and our
enemies breathe against us, let us remember Jesus' words as recorded
in the gospel of John in chapter fifteen and verse eighteen:
Next
time we see what emotions were expressed by the people because of
their enemies, 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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