Passage
Jeremiah 16:1-21 (ESV)
The Lamb Will Triumph
Revelation 17:1-18
Key Verse: 17:14
A Prophecy of Restoration
Date: Dec. 11, 2023
Daily Bread
Key Verse: 16:14-15
“Therefore, behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when it shall no longer be said, ‘As the LORD lives who brought up the people of Israel out of the land of Egypt,’ but ‘As the LORD lives who brought up the people of Israel out of the north country and out of all the countries where he had driven them.’ For I will bring them back to their own land that I gave to their fathers.
Jeremiah’s unique mission was so difficult. The Lord told him not to marry or raise a family because of the terrible judgment coming on the land (1-2). Even the normal joys of life, such as eating and celebrating weddings, would not take place (8-9). We don’t know if such things will happen in our nation and our time. But we are called to be a positive blessing to the people around us. Jesus attended many feasts because he came bearing good news of salvation, blessing those around him (Mt 9:11).
Even though Jeremiah’s main message was one of judgment, God also gave him the message of restoration. God’s work of bringing Israel back from exile would be as memorable as when he first brought them out of Egypt in Moses’ time (14-15).
The gospel message is also a message of judgment for sin and restoration in Jesus. People are already suffering from the curse of their sins, but we are like fishermen whom Jesus sends to restore people to God from all corners of the earth (16). When we don’t understand why God allows so much suffering, we should remember the hope of restoration.
Prayer: Prayer: Father, thank you for the message of restoration that we can put our hope in even during judgment.
One Word: One Word: God restores after punishment.
