The people of Jerusalem were
distraught, and not even their leadership could help them in their
difficulties. The spiritual leadership were sinful and filled with
iniquities, and they were no longer regarded by the people or God. In
chapter four and verse seventeen Jeremiah tells of the people's
desire to find someone to help them, but all their efforts were in
vain. We read:
As for us, our eyes as
yet failed for our vain help: in our watching we have watched for a
nation that could not save us.
The
verse begins, “As for us, our eyes as yet failed for our vain
help:” God had seen the sins and iniquities of the prophets,
priests and elders of Jerusalem, and He no longer regarded or
considered them. Now the people were suffering, and though they
looked for someone to help them, their efforts were in "vain"
or “empty” and their “eyes as yet failed" them to
find it.
The
verse continues, “in our watching we have watched for a
nation that could not save us.”
Rather than looking to the Lord
for salvation the people of Judah and Jerusalem "watched"
which means "to look
out or about, spy, keep watch, or observe "
for "a nation"
that could not save them.
In Proverbs chapter sixteen and verse seven it says, "When a man's ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him." Though the people of Jerusalem looked around they could not find friend nor foe who would give them aid. Sin separated them not only from God but also from everyone who might have given them help in their troubles. As we ponder these words let us employ our imaginations and put ourselves in their place, and may the thoughts of their troubles keep us from having to watch for anyone except the Lord in our times of trouble.
In Proverbs chapter sixteen and verse seven it says, "When a man's ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him." Though the people of Jerusalem looked around they could not find friend nor foe who would give them aid. Sin separated them not only from God but also from everyone who might have given them help in their troubles. As we ponder these words let us employ our imaginations and put ourselves in their place, and may the thoughts of their troubles keep us from having to watch for anyone except the Lord in our times of trouble.
Next
time we will see for what the enemies of Jerusalem were hunting, 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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