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Dear Heavenly Father, Praise You told the nations surrounding Judah, “If you will diligently learn the ways of my people, to swear by my name…then you shall be built up in the midst of my people” (Jer 12:16). What an amazing window into your compassionate heart! Even as you prepared to judge Judah, you were thinking of the Gentile nations nearby. How great is your love and grace! Hallelujah! Today in Your Word Today you told me about Josiah’s renewal of the covenant and the great Passover celebration in Jerusalem. News of the discovery of the book of the law had no doubt spread quickly throughout Jerusalem. It likely prompted the shift in Jeremiah’s preaching from a denunciation of the people’s idolatry to a rebuke for breaking the covenant (cf. Jer 2:11 with Jer 11:3). Jeremiah warned the people that the covenant curses given by Moses (Deut 28:15–68) would soon come to pass: “Behold, I am bringing disaster upon them that they cannot escape” (Jer 11:11). Jeremiah’s message was met with resistance. Some conspired against him and even his own family turned on him. Jeremiah complained to you, but you told him that the worst was yet to come (Jer 12:5). This teaches me that speaking the truth doesn’t mean that people will obey. My responsibility is to faithfully proclaim your message and leave the results in your hands. Josiah, however, did not reject Jeremiah’s warning. He took your word seriously, and at the time of the Passover feast, he called the people to renew the covenant. Josiah personally led the people in a commitment to “walk after the Lord, and to keep His commandments and His testimonies and His statutes with all his heart and all his soul” (2 Kgs 23:3). The people then celebrated the Passover and what a celebration it was. Nothing like it had been seen in Israel since the days of the judges! You were pleased with Josiah’s love for you, and you said that there was no king like him who turned to you with all his heart (2 Kgs 23:25). Nevertheless, your decision to exile Judah remained firm. Judgment was coming, and Josiah’s reforms only delayed the inevitable. Reflection Josiah cleansed the land of idolatry and made the people of Judah serve you. They did not turn away from you as long as Josiah lived (2 Chr 34:33). Yet I wonder—were they truly committed to serving you or were they simply along for the ride? I should ask myself the same question! Request Father, help me to imitate the obedience of Josiah. He removed the sinful practices from the land, and he went after the root cause of those sins: a lack of love and commitment to you. Thanksgiving Thank you for the godly examples of Jeremiah and Josiah. How inspiring it is to see men who have the courage and commitment to stand for the truth in the midst of idolatry and corruption. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Suggested Hymn: “Stand By Me” — Charles A. Tindley. Meditation Verse: Jeremiah 12:5. |