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m iah cast into prison? (37: 6 - 1 0 ). (6) W hat prophecy did he make concerning Isra el’s re tu rn to th e ir land? (30 :1 -3 ). BSjil a » We know more of th e personal his tory and experience of Jerem iah th an any other prophet. This inform ation is found in his prophecy. The study of his character pos- DJEVOTIONAL sesses unique interest. COMMENT He is th e prophet of By F . W. F a r r “th e bleeding h eart and the iron w ill.” God chooses unlikely in strum en ts to do his work. He chose th e tim id, sh rink ing, sensitive Jerem iah for w hat seemed a hopeless mission. The prophet com bined th e most contradictory tra its of character. He was never faithless in th e p ath of duty b u t to do w hat was duty sometimes gave him anguish of soul. He was n atu ra lly diffident yet was made stead fast in th e will of God. He was tim id and yet spake boldly in th e name of God. His fearlessness in th e face of danger is seen in chapter 26 where th e Lord sends him to give his message in th e temple court arid tells him not to dim inish a word. The priests and people were so enraged th a t they took him and said, “Thou shalt surely die.” He calmly replied, “Be hold, I am in your hand; do w ith me as seemeth good and meet unto you, bu t of a tru th the. Lord has sent me unto you to speak all these words in your ears.” Jerem iah was a man of broad views and liberal sp irit yet he possessed in tense national feeling. He was a man of prayer, jealous fo r th e honor of God and obedient to every Divine command. He was often perplexed and despon dent bu t was always sustained by the grace of • God. His h eart was wrung w ith th e severe denunciations he had to give and w ith th e stubborn rejection of them by the people, though he
Jerem iah is consigned to the prison p it where th e m ire received him. Was th e re ever a d ark er prospect for a man,— the king and princes condemn ing him and up to his arm pits in th e m ire of an underground cistern? Yet God saw it all. God heard his cry and answered his call. ' The answer to Jerem iah 's prayer is. intensely interesting. God did n o t send an angel from heaven as He did to E lijah, bu t He sent an Egyptian slave, a stranger, not interested in Judah, having nothing in common w ith them, bu t he h eard w hat had been done, his h ea rt w as,moved w ith compassion, and he went into the presence of the king and courageously made his suppli cation. God, who had called him for such a tim e as this, touched the h eart of the king and brought conviction. He ordered th irty men to accompany Ebed-melech and ta k e th e prophet from th e pit. How wondrous are th e providences of God! He always has a way and He always has a servan t for every need. Never despise th e day of small things, nor th e h um b le st.worker in God’s ser vice. Jerem iah won out because of his faithfulness. May th e Lord make us brave and strong. H ear th e word of the Lord to Jo shua (Josh. 1 :9 ): “H a v e n o t I com m an d ed th e e ? B e s tr o n g a n d o f a -good c o u ra g e ; be n o t a fra id , n e ith e r b e th o u d ism a y e d ; fo r th e L o rd th y G od is w ith th e e w h ith e rso e v e r th o u goest.** PERTINENT QUESTIONS (1) Where did God tell Jerem iah to, go and prophesy? (1 9 :1 4 ). (2) How had th e false prophets prophesied? (23:24-26). (3 ) W hat was God’s message, th rough Jerem iah, concerning the captivity? (25 :9 -14 ). (4) W hat new covenant will God make w ith Israel in th e last days? (31:31-34). (5) F o r what prophecy was Je re
YEAR. WILL YOU HELP? (See Page 458)
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