Today’s chapter in Jeremiah is very disturbing. The prophet is receiving visions from God of future events, some of the visions include a future then far distant. God’s judgements are about to fall on Jerusalem. He is told “this whole land shall become a ruin and waste and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years” [25 v.11] Many years later Daniel, in Babylon in his old age, “perceived in the books” that God had revealed to Jeremiah that they would in captivity 70 years [Ch.9 v.2].

We reflect on the traumatic history of the Jews to whom God’s prophets came with divine messages, they also had the glory of the Temple, also many other blessings such as we have read in what David accomplished. Greatest of all was when God’s son did wonders in their midst. We note how Jesus, at the end of one of his parables said, “Every one to whom much was given, much will be required” [Luke 12 v.48]. There is a Godly principle here: the failure to appreciate and respond to blessings, especially the blessing of hearing and knowing God’s word, will bring an adverse reaction from God.

We read on in Jeremiah, “Thus says the LORD of hosts ... I begin to work disaster at the city that is called by my name, and shall you go unpunished? (he is addressing other nations) You shall not go unpunished, for I am summoning a sword against all the inhabitants of the earth ... for the LORD has an indictment against all the nations; he is entering into judgment with all flesh and the wicked will be put to the sword ... Behold, disaster is going forth from nation to nation and a great tempest is stirring from the farthest parts of the earth! [v.28,29,31,32]

We note how Ch. 30 concludes with the words, “The fierce anger of the LORD will not turn back until he has executed and accomplished the intentions of his mind. In the latter days you will understand this.” Those who understand must make sure they are on the Lord’s side.

Today we read that oft quoted and beautiful chapter 12 of Romans: it is such a contrast to the disharmony we also read today in 2 Samuel and the frictions between individuals in the final years of David’s reign. It demonstrates once again that the New Testament provides guidance for individuals and offers principles to personally live by for all those who decide to walk in the footsteps of Christ.

There is no such thing, nor ever has been, as a ‘Christian’ nation. Oh yes, nations have seen themselves as such, but what does God see? We read today Paul’s words, “repay no one evil for evil” [v.17] which is the very opposite to what we have read today in Samuel and, come to think of it, to relationships between most nations throughout history. The United Nations have attempted the impossible in its 60+ year history.

“Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be conceited. Repay no one evil for evil” [v.16,17] As we read such advice there can be a temptation to look at others and think how they fail to do this. This is unproductive, we must look within our own hearts.

Many situations surrounding the life of David illustrate the opposite, but not in David himself. We must not confuse this with his zeal to serve the Lord, and those who became enemies of the Lord became David’s enemies. In his relationship with individuals he often displayed mercy and forgiveness. He appointed Amasa, who had been captain of Absalom’s army, as captain of his army, but he came to an unworthy end at the hands of Joab, but we will read soon of Joab’s traumatic end.

The lesson we perceive as we read the Old Testament is that, as Jesus said, “all who take the sword perish by the sword” [Matt. 26 v.52]. We can trace so many occasions when God sets up evil people to deal with each other. With those who love the Lord, the opposite occurs. In Romans we read, “if possible, as far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all ... never avenge yourselves ...” [v.18]

Today’s chapter in Jeremiah (23) is a stirring and challenging chapter to read. There is a heavy burden on this prophet in bringing a message of condemnation to the people because of their godless ways following “slippery paths in the darkness” [v.12]. Suddenly the prophet receives a totally different kind of message, but we think it is for him personally and for those who share his faith in God.

The message is a vision of the distant future, “I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them … behold the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land (or earth). In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will dwell securely” [v.3,5,6]

It is this vision; the conviction that this is God’s ultimate purpose which carries Jeremiah through in his life of service to God, a life that was becoming more and more difficult. “My heart is broken … I am like a drunken man … for the land is full of adulteries … both prophet and priest are ungodly; even in my house I have found their evil, declares the LORD.” [v.9-11] He later bemoans the fact, “In the prophets of Jerusalem I have seen a horrible thing: they commit adultery and walk in lies …” [v.14]. Those who represented God and whose lives should have set an example were just as bad as the people. We are seeing more and more parallels to this today.

Now note the challenge that is made! “Let him who has my word speak my word faithfully” [v28]. Obviously, among the few who truly knew God’s word, some were doing that! Sadly after the time of Christ, we see from Peter’s second letter, there is the same warning and he draws lessons from the past, “for no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you … “ [1 v.21; 2 v.1]. To some extent, we walk in Jeremiah’s footsteps.