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Summary

Jeremiah 32–33 shows Jehovah promising restoration in the middle of certain disaster. Jerusalem is about to fall to Babylon because of Judah’s persistent disobedience, yet Jeremiah is told to buy a field as a tangible sign that the land will one day be inhabited again. Jehovah assures his people that he will gather them back, forgive them, give them “one heart and one way,” and restore peace, joy, homes, fields, and worship. Chapter 33 then looks further ahead to the “righteous sprout” from David’s line, emphasizing that Jehovah’s covenant and purpose are as dependable as the cycle of day and night. The central message is that Jehovah’s judgment is real, but so are his promises of restoration, forgiveness, and hope.

Jeremiah 32

The word that came to Jeremiah from Jehovah in the 10th year of King Zed·e·kiʹah of Judah, that is, the 18th year of Neb·u·chad·nezʹzar. At that time the armies of the king of Babylon were besieging Jerusalem, and Jeremiah the prophet was confined in the Courtyard of the Guard in the house of the king of Judah. For King Zed·e·kiʹah of Judah had confined him, saying, “Why do you prophesy like this? You say, ‘This is what Jehovah says: “I will give this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he will capture it, and King Zed·e·kiʹah of Judah will not escape from the Chal·deʹans, for he will surely be given into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he will speak to him face-to-face and see him eye to eye.”’ ‘He will take Zed·e·kiʹah to Babylon, and there he will remain until I turn my attention to him,’ declares Jehovah. ‘Although you keep fighting against the Chal·deʹans, you will not succeed.’”

Jeremiah said: “The word of Jehovah has come to me, saying, ‘Here Hanʹa·mel the son of Shalʹlum your uncle will come to you and say: “Buy for yourself my field in Anʹa·thoth, because you have the first right to repurchase it.”’”

Hanʹa·mel the son of my uncle came to me, just as Jehovah had said, into the Courtyard of the Guard, and he said to me: “Please buy my field in Anʹa·thoth, in the land of Benjamin, for you have the right to take possession of it and to repurchase it. Buy it for yourself.” At that I knew that this was by the word of Jehovah.

So I bought the field in Anʹa·thoth from Hanʹa·mel the son of my uncle. I weighed out the money to him, seven shekels and ten silver pieces. Then I recorded it in a deed, affixed the seal, called in witnesses, and weighed the money in the scales. I took the deed of purchase, the one that was sealed according to the commandment and legal requirements, as well as the one that was left unsealed, and I gave the deed of purchase to Barʹuch son of Ne·riʹah son of Mah·seiʹah in the presence of Hanʹa·mel the son of my uncle, the witnesses who wrote in the deed of purchase, and all the Jews who were sitting in the Courtyard of the Guard.

I now commanded Barʹuch in their presence, saying: “This is what Jehovah of armies, the God of Israel, says, ‘Take these deeds, this deed of purchase, the sealed one and the other deed left unsealed, and put them into an earthenware vessel, so that they may be kept for a long time.’ For this is what Jehovah of armies, the God of Israel, says, ‘Houses and fields and vineyards will again be bought in this land.’”

Then I prayed to Jehovah after giving the deed of purchase to Barʹuch the son of Ne·riʹah, saying: “Alas, O Sovereign Lord Jehovah! Look! You made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm. Nothing is too wonderful for you, the One showing loyal love to thousands, but repaying the error of the fathers to their sons after them, the true God, the great and mighty One, whose name is Jehovah of armies. You are great in counsel and mighty in deed, you whose eyes observe all the ways of men, to give to each one according to his ways and according to what he does. You have performed signs and miracles in the land of Egypt, which are known down to this day, and thus you have made a name for yourself in Israel and among mankind, as it is today. And you brought your people Israel out of the land of Egypt, with signs, with miracles, with a mighty hand, with an outstretched arm, and with terrifying deeds.

“In time you gave them this land that you swore to give to their forefathers, a land flowing with milk and honey. And they came in and took possession of it, but they did not obey your voice or walk in your law. They did not do anything you commanded them to do, so that you caused all this calamity to befall them. Look! Men have come with siege ramparts to capture the city, and because of the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, the city will certainly fall into the hands of the Chal·deʹans who are fighting against it; what you said has all happened, as you now see. But you have told me, O Sovereign Lord Jehovah, ‘Buy for yourself the field with money and call in witnesses,’ although the city will certainly be given into the hand of the Chal·deʹans.”

At that the word of Jehovah came to Jeremiah, saying: “Here I am, Jehovah, the God of all mankind. Is there anything too wonderful for me? So this is what Jehovah says, ‘Here I am handing this city over to the Chal·deʹans and into the hand of King Neb·u·chad·nezʹzar of Babylon, and he will capture it. And the Chal·deʹans fighting against this city will come in and set this city on fire and burn it down along with the houses on whose roofs the people offered sacrifices to Baʹal and poured out drink offerings to other gods to offend me.’

“‘For the people of Israel and of Judah have done only what was bad in my eyes, from their youth on; the people of Israel keep offending me by the work of their hands,’ declares Jehovah. ‘For this city, from the day that they built it down to this day, has been nothing but a cause of anger and wrath to me, so that it must be removed from before my face, because of all the evil that the people of Israel and of Judah have done to offend me—they, their kings, their princes, their priests, their prophets, and the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. They kept turning their backs to me, not their faces; although I tried to teach them again and again, none of them would listen to receive discipline. And they put their disgusting idols in the house that bears my name, in order to defile it. Furthermore, they built the high places of Baʹal in the Valley of the Son of Hinʹnom, in order to make their sons and their daughters pass through the fire to Moʹlech, something that I had not commanded them and that had never come into my heart to do such a detestable thing, causing Judah to sin.’

“Therefore this is what Jehovah the God of Israel says concerning this city that you are saying will be given into the hand of the king of Babylon by the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, ‘Here I will gather them together from all the lands where I dispersed them in my anger and in my wrath and in great indignation, and I will bring them back to this place and let them dwell in security. And they will be my people, and I will be their God. And I will give them one heart and one way so that they may always fear me, for their own good and the good of their children after them. And I will make with them an everlasting covenant, that I will not turn away from doing good to them; and I will put the fear of me in their hearts, so that they will not turn away from me. I will exult over them to do good to them, and I will firmly plant them in this land, with all my heart and with all my soul.’”

“For this is what Jehovah says, ‘Just as I have brought on this people all this great calamity, so I will bring on them all the goodness that I am promising them. And fields will again be bought in this land, though you are saying: “It is a wasteland without man and beast, and it has been handed over to the Chal·deʹans.”’

“‘Fields will be bought with money, deeds of purchase will be recorded and sealed, and witnesses will be called in the land of Benjamin, in the areas around Jerusalem, in the cities of Judah, in the cities of the mountainous region, in the cities of the lowland, and in the cities of the south, because I will bring back their captives,’ declares Jehovah.”

Jeremiah 33

The word of Jehovah came to Jeremiah the second time, while he was still confined in the Courtyard of the Guard, saying: “This is what Jehovah the Maker of earth says, Jehovah who formed it and firmly established it; Jehovah is his name, ‘Call to me, and I will answer you and readily tell you great and incomprehensible things that you have not known.’”

“For this is what Jehovah the God of Israel says concerning the houses of this city and the houses of the kings of Judah that are pulled down because of the siege ramparts and the sword, and concerning those who are coming to fight the Chal·deʹans, filling these places with the carcasses of those whom I struck down in my anger and in my wrath, those whose evil has caused me to hide my face from this city: ‘Here I am bringing recuperation and health to her, and I will heal them and reveal to them an abundance of peace and truth. And I will bring back the captives of Judah and the captives of Israel, and I will build them up as I did at the start. And I will purify them from all the guilt of their sins against me, and I will forgive all the guilt of their sins and their transgressions against me. And she will become to me a name of exultation, a praise, and a beauty before all the nations of the earth who will hear of all the goodness that I bestow on them. And they will be in dread and will tremble because of all the goodness and peace that I will bestow on her.’”

“This is what Jehovah says: ‘In this place that you will say is a wasteland, without man or livestock, in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem that are desolate, without man or inhabitant or livestock, there will again be heard the sound of exultation and the sound of rejoicing, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the voice of those saying: “Give thanks to Jehovah of armies, for Jehovah is good; his loyal love endures forever!”’

“‘They will bring thanksgiving offerings into the house of Jehovah, for I will bring back the captives of the land, as at the start,’ says Jehovah.”

“This is what Jehovah of armies says: ‘In this wasteland, without man or livestock, and in all its cities, there will again be pastures for the shepherds to rest their flocks.’

“‘In the cities of the mountainous region, in the cities of the lowland, in the cities of the south, in the land of Benjamin, in the areas around Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, flocks will again pass under the hands of the one counting them,’ says Jehovah.”

“‘Look! The days are coming,’ declares Jehovah, ‘when I will fulfill the good promise that I have spoken concerning the house of Israel and the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will cause to sprout for David a righteous sprout, and he will execute justice and righteousness in the land. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will reside in security. And this is what she will be called: Jehovah Is Our Righteousness.’”

“For this is what Jehovah says: ‘There will never fail to be a man from David’s line to sit on the throne of the house of Israel, nor will the Levitical priests ever fail to have a man stand before me to offer whole burnt offerings, to burn grain offerings, and to offer sacrifices.’”

And the word of Jehovah again came to Jeremiah, saying: “This is what Jehovah says, ‘If you could break my covenant regarding the day and my covenant regarding the night, to prevent day and night from coming at their proper time, only then could my covenant with my servant David be broken, so that he should not have a son ruling as king on his throne, and so also my covenant with the Levitical priests, my ministers. Just as the army of the heavens cannot be counted and the sand of the sea cannot be measured, so I will multiply the offspring of my servant David and the Levites who are ministering to me.’”

And the word of Jehovah again came to Jeremiah, saying: “Have you not taken note of what this people is saying, ‘Jehovah will reject the two families that he chose’? And they are treating my own people with disrespect, and they no longer regard them as a nation.

“This is what Jehovah says: ‘Just as surely as I have established my covenant regarding the day and the night, the laws of heaven and earth, so I will never reject the offspring of Jacob and of my servant David, so as not to take from his offspring rulers over the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. For I will gather back their captives and have pity on them.’”

#jeremiah #biblereading

Horse gates

Jeremiah 31 is a sweeping promise of restoration. Jehovah assures Israel that his love has not ended: he will gather his scattered people, comfort their grief, rebuild their land, and turn mourning into joy. Even Ephraim’s remorse is met with compassion, showing Jehovah as a Father who still deeply loves his wayward son. The chapter reaches its high point with the promise of a new covenant—one in which God’s law would be written on hearts, sins would be forgiven, and his people would truly know him. The chapter closes with an emphatic assurance that Jehovah’s purpose for his people is as dependable as the sun, moon, stars, and the foundations of the earth.

“At that time,” declares Jehovah, “I will become God to all the families of Israel, and they will become my people.”

This is what Jehovah says:

“The people who survived the sword found favor in the wilderness

When Israel was walking to his resting-place.”

From far away Jehovah appeared to me and said:

“I have loved you with an everlasting love.

That is why I have drawn you to me with loyal love.

Yet again I will rebuild you and you will be rebuilt.

O virgin of Israel, you will again take up your tambourines

And go forth dancing joyfully.

You will again plant vineyards in the mountains of Sa·marʹi·a;

The planters will plant and enjoy their fruit.

For the day will come when the watchmen in the mountains of Eʹphra·im will call out:

‘Rise up, let us go up to Zion, to Jehovah our God.’”

For this is what Jehovah says:

“Cry out to Jacob with rejoicing.

Shout for joy because you are over the nations.

Proclaim it; offer praise and say,

‘O Jehovah, save your people, the remnant of Israel.’

I am bringing them back from the land of the north.

I will gather them together from the remotest parts of the earth.

Among them will be the blind and the lame,

The pregnant woman and the one giving birth, all together.

As a great congregation they will return here.

They will come weeping.

I will lead them as they beg for favor.

I will guide them to streams of water,

On a level path that will not make them stumble.

For I am a Father to Israel, and Eʹphra·im is my firstborn.”

Hear the word of Jehovah, you nations,

And proclaim it among the islands far away:

“The One who scattered Israel will gather him together.

He will watch over him as a shepherd does his flock.

For Jehovah will redeem Jacob

And rescue him out of the hand of the one stronger than he is.

They will come and shout joyfully on the height of Zion

And become radiant over the goodness of Jehovah,

Over the grain and the new wine and the oil,

And over the young of the flock and the herd.

They will become like a well-watered garden,

And they will never languish again.”

“At that time the virgin will dance joyfully,

Also the young men and the old men together.

I will change their mourning into exultation.

I will comfort them and give them joy instead of their grief.

I will satisfy the priests with plenty,

And my people will be satisfied with my goodness,” declares Jehovah.

“This is what Jehovah says:

‘A voice is heard in Raʹmah, lamentation and bitter weeping:

Rachel is weeping over her sons.

She has refused to be comforted over her sons,

Because they are no more.’”

This is what Jehovah says:

“‘Hold back your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears,

For there is a reward for your activity,’ declares Jehovah.

‘They will return from the land of the enemy.

And there is a hope for your future,’ declares Jehovah.

‘Your sons will return to their own territory.’”

“I have surely heard Eʹphra·im’s moaning,

‘You have corrected me, and I have been corrected,

Like a calf that has not been trained.

Bring me back, and I will readily turn back,

For you are Jehovah my God.

For after my turning back I felt remorse;

After I was made to understand I struck my thigh in grief.

I was ashamed and humiliated,

For I bore the reproach of my youth.’”

“Is Eʹphra·im not a precious son to me, a beloved child?

For as often as I speak against him, I do remember him still.

That is why my emotions are stirred for him.

And I will surely have pity on him,” declares Jehovah.

“Set up road markers for yourself,

And put up signposts.

Pay attention to the highway, the way that you have to go.

Return, O virgin of Israel, return to these cities of yours.

How long will you waver, O unfaithful daughter?

For Jehovah has created something new in the earth:

A woman will eagerly pursue a man.”

This is what Jehovah of armies, the God of Israel, says:

“They will again say these words in the land of Judah and in its cities when I gather back their captives: ‘May Jehovah bless you, O righteous dwelling place, O holy mountain.’

“And in it Judah and all its cities will dwell all together, farmers and those who lead the flocks. For I will satisfy the weary one and fill each one who is languishing.”

At this I awoke and opened my eyes, and my sleep had been pleasurable to me.

“Look! The days are coming,” declares Jehovah, “when I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of man and with the seed of livestock.

“And just as I watched over them to uproot, to pull down, to tear down, to destroy, and to do harm, so I will watch over them to build up and to plant,” declares Jehovah.

“In those days they will no longer say, ‘The fathers ate sour grapes, but the teeth of the sons were set on edge.’ But then each one will die for his own error. Any man eating sour grapes will have his own teeth set on edge.”

“Look! The days are coming,” declares Jehovah, “when I will make with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah a new covenant.

“It will not be like the covenant that I made with their forefathers on the day I took hold of their hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, ‘my covenant that they broke, although I was their true master,’ declares Jehovah.”

“For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days,” declares Jehovah.

“I will put my law within them,

And in their heart I will write it.

And I will become their God,

And they will become my people.”

“And they will no longer teach each one his neighbor and each one his brother, saying, ‘Know Jehovah!’ for they will all know me, from the least to the greatest of them,” declares Jehovah.

“For I will forgive their error, and I will no longer remember their sin.”

This is what Jehovah says,

Who gives the sun for light by day,

The laws of the moon and the stars for light by night,

Who stirs up the sea and makes its waves boisterous,

Whose name is Jehovah of armies:

“‘If these regulations should ever fail,’ declares Jehovah,

‘Only then would the offspring of Israel cease as a nation before me always.’”

This is what Jehovah says:

“‘If the heavens above could be measured and the foundations of the earth below could be explored, only then could I reject all the offspring of Israel for all they have done,’ declares Jehovah.”

“Look! The days are coming,” declares Jehovah, “when the city will be built to Jehovah from the Tower of Ha·nanʹel to the Corner Gate.

“And the measuring line will go out straight ahead to the hill of Gaʹreb, and it will turn toward Goʹah.

“And all the valley of the carcasses and of ashes and all the terraces as far as the Kidʹron Valley, clear to the corner of the Horse Gate toward the east, will be something holy to Jehovah.

“It will never again be uprooted or torn down.”

#jeremiah #biblereading

“You don’t know who you are until you’re in a fight for your soul.”

In Matthew chapter 4, we get a recounting of Jesus' experience in the wilderness after his baptism. It's an interesting experience:

Then Jesus was led by the spirit up into the wilderness to be tempted by the Devil. After he had fasted for 40 days and 40 nights, he felt hungry. And the Tempter approached and said to him: “If you are a son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered: “It is written: ‘Man must live, not on bread alone, but on every word that comes from Jehovah’s mouth.’”

Then the Devil took him along into the holy city, and he stationed him on the battlement of the temple and said to him: “If you are a son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written: ‘He will give his angels a command concerning you,’ and, ‘They will carry you on their hands, so that you may not strike your foot against a stone.’” Jesus said to him: “Again it is written: ‘You must not put Jehovah your God to the test.’”

Again the Devil took him along to an unusually high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him: “All these things I will give you if you fall down and do an act of worship to me.” Then Jesus said to him: “Go away, Satan! For it is written: ‘It is Jehovah your God you must worship, and it is to him alone you must render sacred service.’”

Then the Devil left him, and look! angels came and began to minister to him.

It is an incredible account.

First Temptation – The Need for Bread

Man must live, not on bread alone...

The enemy's timing is a thing of genius. Jesus is no doubt physically reeling from what was the largest data download in history after having his memory of prehuman life restored and spending more than a month just processing that all. And I will always marvel at the idea of fasting for so long.

I probably need to research that a little deeper because I didn't realize we could go without nourishment for such an extended time. It is true that he was physically perfect, at the peak of what the human body and mind can achieve, but still, that's a lot.

Satan first appeals to a NEED. He knew Jesus needed nourishment, but rather than provide it, he tried to use that normal functional need as a weapon to ruin him. Insidious.

Jesus wisely and quickly points out that Jehovah is the only source we need and that no selfish pursuit can bring escape or happiness. It recognized the lie and relied on our God.

That's a good lesson for anyone. The source of most people's troubles comes from actions that they took to acquire something they felt they NEEDED: money, affection, drugs, lust—on and on. But I'll hazard a guess that we never need precisely what we think we do.

Second Temptation – An Appeal to Hubris

Do not put Jehovah to the test...

This one’s always struck me as strange—why would Jesus jump off a building just to prove he was protected? But maybe that’s the point. Faith isn’t a stunt. Satan was asking him to misuse God’s promise for a selfish show of power. But Jesus didn’t play that game. He reminded the enemy—and us—that trust in God isn’t about making him prove himself.

It is just a blatant attempt to get God's son to do a trick. 'Throw yourself off'. Satan clearly knew the prophecy that indicated Jesus would be attended to. But he thought maybe he would appeal to Jesus' pride? As in, 'yeah, it does say that and don't you forget it!'

But God's son didn't give him the pleasure. Instead he turned attention back to his Father with ‘You must not put Jehovah your God to the test.’

Third Temptation – The Power for Change

Jehovah your God you must worship...

And finally... the offer of the kingdoms of the world. If you think about it, this would potentially be a real test for Jesus. He knew what people were suffering and how the rulers were making it challenging. If he had seized that, he could have thought he would effect change. But, as in the last two tests, he kept the long view in sight.

Eventually, Jesus would be ruler of it all anyway. By waiting, he and every other human would suffer indescribable pains. But, eventually, that would all end and replaced with paradise with Jesus as King. What a powerful reminder to us to be ready to deny what seems like a potential short-term solution.

Lessons

Leaky vessels need the most filling

And the final line: Then the Devil left him, and look! angels came and began to minister to him.

I always overlooked that. It wasn't until Jesus firmly closed the door on any possibility of giving and even refusing to dwell on the possibilities of the temptations that Jehovah sent those angels to minister. To comfort, care and support.

When temptation comes—any temptation—it’s not enough to hesitate or say 'maybe not.' Jesus shows us the power of a firm 'no.' Only then did comfort arrive. And it’s the same with us: the faster we slam the door on distraction, the sooner we’ll feel Jehovah’s peace again.

It is a beautiful example of how to trust in our God and why we should.

Just a little while longer and this will all be wiped away. If you're like me, it can't come soon enough.

#memoir #journal #biblereading

2025-06-12 18:00:00

Jeremiah 26–28 shows Jeremiah standing firmly behind Jehovah’s word despite intense opposition and false prophecy. Jeremiah warns Judah that disaster can still be avoided if the people change their ways, but the priests, prophets, and rulers threaten his life. He is spared, while another faithful prophet, Urijah, is killed. Jehovah then uses the illustration of a yoke to show that Babylon’s domination is part of His judgment. Jeremiah urges the nations and King Zedekiah to submit rather than resist, while false prophets promise that Babylon’s power will soon be broken. In chapter 28, Hananiah publicly contradicts Jeremiah, claiming that Babylon’s yoke will be broken within two years. Jeremiah initially expresses the hope that Hananiah’s words will come true, but Jehovah later exposes Hananiah as a false prophet. The wooden yoke becomes an iron yoke, and Hananiah dies that same year. The three chapters emphasize a powerful lesson: Jehovah’s word does not become false because it is unpopular, and a comforting message is not necessarily a true one.

|Home| Jump to: Jeremiah 27 Jeremiah 28 End

Jeremiah 26

In the beginning of the reign of Je·hoiʹa·kim son of Jo·siʹah, the king of Judah, this word came from Jehovah:

“This is what Jehovah says, ‘Stand in the courtyard of the house of Jehovah and speak concerning all the people of the cities of Judah who are coming in to worship at the house of Jehovah. Tell them everything that I command you; do not take away a word.

Perhaps they will listen and each one will turn back from his evil way, and I will change my mind concerning the calamity that I intend to bring on them because of their evil deeds.

Say to them: “This is what Jehovah says, ‘If you will not listen to me by following my law that I have placed before you, by listening to the words of my servants the prophets, whom I am sending to you again and again, whom you have not listened to, then I will make this house like Shiloh, and I will make this city an object of cursing to all the nations of the earth.’”’”

And the priests and the prophets and all the people heard Jeremiah speaking these words in the house of Jehovah.

So when Jeremiah had finished speaking all that Jehovah had commanded him to speak to all the people, then the priests and the prophets and all the people seized him and said:

“You will surely die. Why have you prophesied in the name of Jehovah, saying, ‘This house will become like Shiloh, and this city will be devastated and left without an inhabitant’?”

And all the people gathered around Jeremiah in the house of Jehovah.

When the princes of Judah heard these words, they came up from the house of the king to the house of Jehovah and sat down at the entrance of the new gate of Jehovah.

The priests and the prophets said to the princes and to all the people:

“This man deserves the death penalty, because he has prophesied against this city just as you have heard with your own ears.”

Jeremiah then said to all the princes and to all the people:

“It was Jehovah who sent me to prophesy against this house and against this city all the words that you have heard.

So now, reform your ways and your actions and obey the voice of Jehovah your God, and Jehovah will change his mind concerning the calamity that he has spoken against you.

But as for me, I am in your hand. Do to me whatever seems good and right in your eyes.

Only know for certain that if you put me to death, you will bring innocent blood upon yourselves and upon this city and upon her inhabitants, for in truth Jehovah sent me to you to speak all these words in your hearing.”

Then the princes and all the people said to the priests and the prophets:

“This man does not deserve the death penalty, for he spoke to us in the name of Jehovah our God.”

Furthermore, some of the elders of the land rose up and began saying to the entire congregation of the people:

“Micah of Moresheth was prophesying in the days of King Hezekiah of Judah, and he said to all the people of Judah, ‘This is what Jehovah of armies says:

“Zion will be plowed up as a field,

Jerusalem will become heaps of ruins,

And the mountain of the House will become like high places in a forest.”’

“Did King Hezekiah of Judah and all Judah then put him to death? Did he not fear Jehovah and beg for Jehovah’s favor, so that Jehovah changed his mind concerning the calamity that he had spoken against them?

So we are about to bring a great calamity on ourselves.

“And there was another man prophesying in the name of Jehovah, Urijah son of Shemaiah from Kiriath-jearim, who prophesied against this city and against this land with words like those of Jeremiah.

King Jehoiakim and all his mighty men and all the princes heard his words, and the king sought to put him to death.

When Urijah heard of it, he at once became afraid and fled to Egypt.

Then King Jehoiakim sent Elnathan the son of Achbor and other men with him to Egypt.

They brought Urijah from Egypt and took him to King Jehoiakim, who then struck him down with the sword and cast his dead body into the graveyard of the common people.”

But Ahikam the son of Shaphan supported Jeremiah, so that he was not handed over to the people to be put to death.

Jeremiah 27

In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim son of Josiah, the king of Judah, this word came to Jeremiah from Jehovah:

“This is what Jehovah has told me, ‘Make for yourself straps and yoke bars, and put them on your neck.

Then send them to the king of Edom, the king of Moab, the king of the Ammonites, the king of Tyre, and the king of Sidon by the hand of the messengers who have come to Jerusalem to King Zedekiah of Judah.

Give them this command for their masters:

“‘“This is what Jehovah of armies, the God of Israel, says; this is what you should say to your masters, ‘It is I who made the earth, mankind, and the beasts that are on the surface of the earth by my great power and by my outstretched arm; and I have given it to whomever I please.

And now I have given all these lands into the hand of my servant King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon; even the wild beasts of the field I have given him to serve him.

All the nations will serve him and his son and his grandson until the time for his own land comes, when many nations and great kings will make him their slave.’

“‘“‘If any nation or kingdom refuses to serve King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon and refuses to put its neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon, I will punish that nation with the sword, with famine, and with pestilence,’ declares Jehovah, ‘until I have finished them off by his hand.’

“‘“‘Therefore, do not listen to your prophets, your diviners, your dreamers, your magicians, and your sorcerers, who are saying to you: “You will not serve the king of Babylon.”

For they are prophesying lies to you, so that you will be taken far away from your land and I will disperse you and you will perish.

“But the nation that brings its neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon and serves him, I will allow to remain on its land,’ declares Jehovah, ‘to cultivate it and dwell in it.’”’”

Also to King Zedekiah of Judah I spoke in the same way, saying:

“Bring your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon and serve him and his people, and you will keep living.

Why should you and your people die by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence, as Jehovah has said about the nation that will not serve the king of Babylon?

Do not listen to the words of the prophets who are saying to you, ‘You will not serve the king of Babylon,’ because they are prophesying lies to you.

“‘For I have not sent them,’ declares Jehovah, ‘but they are prophesying lies in my name, with the result that I will disperse you and you will perish, you and the prophets who are prophesying to you.’”

And to the priests and to all this people I said:

“This is what Jehovah says, ‘Do not listen to the words of your prophets who are prophesying to you:

“Look! The utensils of the house of Jehovah will be brought back from Babylon very soon!” for they are prophesying lies to you.

Do not listen to them. Serve the king of Babylon and you will keep living.

Why should this city become a ruin?

But if they are prophets and if the word of Jehovah is with them, please let them beg Jehovah of armies that the remaining utensils in the house of Jehovah, in the house of the king of Judah, and in Jerusalem may not be taken away to Babylon.’

“For this is what Jehovah of armies says concerning the pillars, the Sea, the carriages, and the remaining utensils that are left in this city, which King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon did not take when he took into exile Jeconiah son of Jehoiakim, the king of Judah, from Jerusalem to Babylon, together with all the nobles of Judah and Jerusalem;

yes, this is what Jehovah of armies, the God of Israel, says concerning the utensils that are left at the house of Jehovah, in the house of the king of Judah, and in Jerusalem:

‘“To Babylon they will be brought, and there they will remain until the day I turn my attention to them,” declares Jehovah. “Then I will bring them back and restore them to this place.”’”

Jeremiah 28

In that same year, in the beginning of the reign of King Zedekiah of Judah, in the fourth year, in the fifth month, the prophet Hananiah the son of Azzur from Gibeon said to me in the house of Jehovah in the presence of the priests and all the people:

“This is what Jehovah of armies, the God of Israel, says, ‘I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon.

Within two years I am bringing back to this place all the utensils of the house of Jehovah that King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon took from this place and brought to Babylon.’

“‘And I will bring back to this place Jeconiah son of Jehoiakim, the king of Judah, and all the exiles of Judah who have gone to Babylon,’ declares Jehovah, ‘for I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon.’”

Then Jeremiah the prophet spoke to Hananiah the prophet in the presence of the priests and all the people who were standing in the house of Jehovah.

Jeremiah the prophet said:

“Amen! May Jehovah do this! May Jehovah fulfill your words that you prophesied by bringing back from Babylon to this place the utensils of the house of Jehovah and all the exiled people!

However, hear, please, this message that I am speaking in your ears and in the ears of all the people.

Long ago the prophets who were prior to me and prior to you used to prophesy concerning many lands and great kingdoms, about war, calamity, and pestilence.

If a prophet prophesies about peace and the word of that prophet comes true, then it will be known that Jehovah truly sent that prophet.”

At that Hananiah the prophet took the yoke bar off the neck of the prophet Jeremiah and broke it.

Hananiah then said in the presence of all the people:

“This is what Jehovah says, ‘Just like this I will break the yoke of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon from off the neck of all the nations within two years.’”

And Jeremiah the prophet went on his way.

After Hananiah the prophet had broken the yoke bar from off the neck of Jeremiah the prophet, this message of Jehovah came to Jeremiah:

“Go and say to Hananiah, ‘This is what Jehovah says:

“You have broken yoke bars of wood, but instead of them you will make yoke bars of iron.”

For this is what Jehovah of armies, the God of Israel, says:

“I will put an iron yoke bar on the neck of all these nations, to serve King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, and they must serve him.

Even the wild beasts of the field I will give him.”’”

Jeremiah the prophet then said to Hananiah the prophet:

“Listen, please, O Hananiah! Jehovah has not sent you, but you have caused this people to trust in a lie.

Therefore this is what Jehovah says, ‘Look! I am removing you from the face of the ground. This year you will die, for you have urged rebellion against Jehovah.’”

So Hananiah the prophet died in that year, in the seventh month.

End of REading

#biblereading #jeremiah

Everyone wants to be good fruit, but not everyone can do the work. Or

'Date-nite' for Jeremiah! Yes, I conflate figs and dates. They are both excellent desserts in the desert. ;–)

Jeremiah 24

Then Jehovah showed me two baskets of figs set before the temple of Jehovah, after King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had carried into exile Jeconiah son of Jehoiakim, the king of Judah, along with the princes of Judah, the craftsmen, and the metalworkers; he took them from Jerusalem to Babylon.

One basket had very good figs, like early figs, but the other basket had very bad figs, so bad that they could not be eaten.

Jehovah then asked me:

“What do you see, Jeremiah?”

So I said:

“Figs; the good figs are very good, but the bad ones are very bad, so bad that they cannot be eaten.”

Then the word of Jehovah came to me, saying:

“This is what Jehovah the God of Israel says, ‘Like these good figs, so I will regard in a good way the exiles of Judah, whom I have sent away from this place to the land of the Chaldeans.

“‘I will keep my eye on them for their good, and I will cause them to return to this land. I will build them up, and I will not tear down; I will plant them, and I will not uproot.

“‘And I will give them a heart to know me, that I am Jehovah. They will become my people, and I will become their God, for they will return to me with all their heart.

“‘But concerning the bad figs that are so bad they cannot be eaten, this is what Jehovah says:

“‘“So I will regard King Zedekiah of Judah, his princes, the remnant of Jerusalem who are left in this land, and those who are dwelling in the land of Egypt.

“‘“I will make them an object of horror and calamity to all the kingdoms of the earth, a reproach, a proverbial saying, a cause for ridicule, and a curse in all the places to which I disperse them.

“‘“And I will send against them the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, until they have perished from the land that I gave to them and to their forefathers.”’”

Jeremiah 25

The word that came to Jeremiah concerning all the people of Judah in the fourth year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah, the king of Judah, which was the first year of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon.

This is what Jeremiah the prophet spoke concerning all the people of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem:

“From the 13th year of Josiah son of Amon, the king of Judah, to this day, these 23 years, the word of Jehovah has come to me, and I kept speaking to you again and again, but you would not listen.

“And Jehovah sent all his servants the prophets to you, sending them again and again, but you would not listen or incline your ear to hear.

“They would say, ‘Turn back, please, each of you from your evil ways and your evil deeds; then you will continue dwelling for a long time to come in the land that Jehovah long ago gave to you and to your forefathers.

“‘Do not follow other gods and serve them and bow down to them, offending me with the work of your hands; otherwise I will bring calamity on you.’

“‘But you would not listen to me,’ declares Jehovah. ‘Instead you offended me with the work of your hands, to your own calamity.’

“Therefore this is what Jehovah of armies says:

“‘Because you would not obey my words, “I am sending for all the families of the north,” declares Jehovah, “sending for King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, my servant, and I will bring them against this land and against its inhabitants and against all these surrounding nations.

“‘“I will devote them to destruction and make them an object of horror and something to whistle at and a perpetual ruin.

Back to the Top

“‘“I will put an end to the sound of exultation and the sound of rejoicing from them, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the sound of the hand mill and the light of the lamp.

“‘“And all this land will be reduced to ruins and will become an object of horror, and these nations will have to serve the king of Babylon for 70 years.”’

“‘But when 70 years have been fulfilled, I will call to account the king of Babylon and that nation for their error,’ declares Jehovah, ‘and I will make the land of the Chaldeans a desolate wasteland for all time.

“‘I will bring on that land all my words that I have spoken against it, all that is written in this book that Jeremiah has prophesied against all the nations.

“‘For many nations and great kings will make slaves of them, and I will repay them according to their deeds and the work of their own hands.’”

For this is what Jehovah the God of Israel said to me:

“Take this cup of the wine of wrath out of my hand, and make all the nations to whom I send you drink it.

“And they will drink and stagger and act like madmen because of the sword that I am sending among them.”

So I took the cup out of the hand of Jehovah and made all the nations to whom Jehovah sent me drink:

Starting with Jerusalem and the cities of Judah, her kings and her princes, to make them a ruin, an object of horror, something to whistle at and a curse, as it is today;

then Pharaoh king of Egypt and his servants, his princes, and all his people, and all their mixed populations;

all the kings of the land of Uz;

all the kings of the land of the Philistines — Ashkelon, Gaza, Ekron, and those remaining of Ashdod;

Edom, Moab, and the Ammonites;

all the kings of Tyre, all the kings of Sidon, and the kings of the island in the sea;

Dedan, Tema, Buz, and all those with hair clipped at the temples;

all the kings of the Arabians and all the kings of the mixed populations who reside in the wilderness;

all the kings of Zimri, all the kings of Elam, and all the kings of the Medes;

and all the kings of the north near and far, one after the other, and all the other kingdoms of the earth that are on the surface of the ground;

and the king of Sheshach will drink after them.

“And you must say to them, ‘This is what Jehovah of armies, the God of Israel, says:

“‘“Drink and get drunk and vomit and fall so that you cannot get up because of the sword that I am sending among you.”’

“And if they refuse to take the cup out of your hand to drink, say to them:

“‘This is what Jehovah of armies says: “You must drink it!

“‘“For look! If I am bringing calamity first on the city that bears my name, should you go unpunished?”’

“‘You will not go unpunished, for I am calling for a sword against all the inhabitants of the earth,’ declares Jehovah of armies.”

And you are to prophesy all these words to them and say to them:

From on high Jehovah will roar,
And from his holy dwelling he will make his voice heard.

He will roar loudly against his abiding place.

Shouting like those treading the winepress,
He will sing triumphantly against all the inhabitants of the earth.

A noise will resound to the ends of the earth,
For Jehovah has a controversy with the nations.

He will personally pass judgment on all humans,
And he will put the wicked to the sword,
declares Jehovah.

Back to the Top

This is what Jehovah of armies says:

Look! A calamity is spreading from nation to nation,
And a great tempest will be unleashed
From the remotest parts of the earth.

And those slain by Jehovah in that day
Will be from one end of the earth clear to the other end of the earth.

They will not be mourned,
Nor will they be gathered up or buried.

They will become like manure
On the surface of the ground.

Wail, you shepherds, and cry out!

Wallow about, you majestic ones of the flock,
Because the time of your slaughter
And your dispersion has come,

And you will fall like a precious vessel!

The shepherds have no place to flee,
And there is no escape
For the majestic ones of the flock.

Listen! The outcry of the shepherds
And the wailing of the majestic ones of the flock,

For Jehovah is devastating their pasture.

And the peaceful dwelling places have been made lifeless
Because of the burning anger of Jehovah.

He has left his lair just like a young lion,
For their land has become an object of horror

Because of the cruel sword
And because of his burning anger.

#biblereading #jeremiah

“To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.”
 — Thomas Campbell

You may recall my forlorn farewell to an old friend from a few days ago. DE lived in Dust Meridian for nearly 20 years. Before that, it was two decades in the South Pacific and another ten in Southern California. He’s a mature man in his mid-sixties, so it came as a surprise when he pulled up stakes, sold both of his homes, and headed to the other side of the country.

He says it’s for his wife’s health. The allergies here in Dust are brutal for many. On top of that, years ago, she suffered a stroke that left her speaking with what sounds like an Icelandic accent. Her heritage and native tongue are Peruvian. She went from sounding like a southern girl to something ethereal and ancient—almost elvish. Like someone installed an Old Norse filter on her voice.

I thought she was faking it at first, but it’s a real thing. Foreign Accent Syndrome. Rare, but real. The result of a traumatic brain injury that causes someone to suddenly start speaking with an accent from a region they’ve never even visited.

In her case, it even shows up in her writing. She spells things phonetically now, based on how she hears herself speak. It’s charming, honestly. But also a constant reminder of how fragile the brain is. That same stroke could’ve left her unable to communicate at all. That would’ve been a terror.

My own sister suffered a hypoxic brain injury—lost her short-term memory, and now struggles even with simple tasks. She’s aware of her limitations, which might be the cruelest part. It occasionally lends itself to moments of levity, but mostly, it’s just tragic.

As for DE, I don’t doubt his reasons—physical or mental. His wife or his own. From experience, I believe the lifestyle and mentality here in Dust Meridian takes a tole on anyone with sufficiently curious or robust intellect.

That sounds harsh. Like dummies thrive here. Apologies—I calls ’em like I sees ’em. There are many fine minds here, many dear souls. But there are also plenty of fantastically difficult situations. My own family not excluded.

So no, I don’t blame DE for the move. It’s exciting. I’m a little jealous, if I’m honest. Not that I’d pack up three trucks and drive 1,500 miles to West Potato—but the idea of a fresh start, a new landscape, is tempting. Then again, he’s lived in three other vastly different places. Why not make it four? He’s tapped all four compass points while he still can.

My brother-in-law, RLW, volunteered to be part of the cross-country convoy, hauling DE’s belongings to his new home. That’s significant because RLW is the same man who buried his wife—my wife’s sister—just sixty-nine days ago. A partner of 45 years, gone in an instant. Snuffed out like a candle in the rain.

When talk of the trip started, RLW had big plans. He’d trailer his motorcycle behind one of DE’s work trucks, help with the move, then spend a few days exploring West Potato. From there, he’d kit out the bike and ride west—through the Northwest, down to the Pacific. He talked of revisiting places he and his wife had seen, and discovering new ones. He didn’t say it aloud, but I suspect he meant to scatter some ashes along the way.

But as time wore on, the plans shrank. Late spring snow made the northern routes dicey. Then he nixed the coast. West Potato lies just beyond the Continental Divide, and soon enough, he cut out any idea of leaving the mountains at all. By the time he left two days ago, the month-long journey had been trimmed to a week.

A few hours ago, he texted that he’ll be back in Dust Meridian tomorrow night. Yep. Thirty days of freedom and healing, whittled down to just four.

There and back. Turn and burn.

His son, SLBY—the boy (a man in his thirties, forgive an aging Wolf)—tells me he thinks his dad just misses home. The quiet of the road was heavier than expected. That makes sense. My nephew wants his dad to get out and see new places, to build memories without her. A critical step in healing.

When I speak to RLW, he says it’s his son and grandson who are nudging him to come back. He can 'hear it in his voice' that if he was back, they would all be happier. Home is big and lonely and his son misses his family. Doesn't like being without his core. His people. His comfort zone.

Essentially, they are both arguing the other wants to be together again. They tell me what the other wants. But really, they're telling me what they themselves long for.

SLBY the boy has told me more than once this last few weeks that he can’t stand being alone. He’d grown used to the bustle—his wife, his son, his parents, all under one roof. They live in a mobile home, so sharing space really means sharing.

Constantly.

With his mom gone, dad out of town, wife at the chiropractor, and the boy at school, SLBY finds himself alone on a rock hurtling through space at sixty-seven thousand miles per hour. Working from home means his only company is the blinking cursor on a plastic display.

He’s admitted, with surprising emotional honesty, that he cries often. This from a man who, just a few years ago, was all whiskey, beer, and bravado. Guns and guts. Today, the bottles are dusty and the guns live in a safe—a large one, granted—but they’re just objects now.

SLBY has become the kind of man who can acknowledge his pain and grow through it. A shock, honestly. But a welcome one.

His father, RLW, has also cracked open in ways I didn’t expect. Always the quiet, stoic one—he now speaks freely about how much his wife meant to him. That she was his light. His purpose.

And being retired is salt on the wound. 10 years ago, he would at least have a job he had to contend with, coworkers and daily business to get back to. But now? His only obligations are those which he chooses. A full plate with his spiritual family, but that can be shelved much longer than it should be. Leaving him in self-inflicted isolation.

Since her passing, he sleeps maybe four hours a night. He cries often. I imagine these moments are private—the kind where your ears roar, your eyes burn, and you fight to contain the flood so others don’t have to feel it too.

Every time we’ve spoken since he hit the road, he’s mentioned that he can’t stop crying. Triggers are everywhere. A song. A vista in silence where she would have commented or asked to pull off and take a picture. The absence of agitation at his driving (the way he jerks the wheel in little increments). No one stuffing the door panel with trash.

But mostly—silence.

An imagination haunted by 16,425 sunrises and sunsets together... and all that is in between—the subtle golden rhythms of a life shared. Every small moment now echoing in absence.

My God, how do you move on from that?

Patience.

Patience and tears. And prayer that God will intervene and part that ocean like he did for Moses.

I told him as much. “It’s good you’re blind with tears. You probably need to really cut loose—and that’s hard to do with a seven-year-old always around, or your son who’s dealing with his own grief. I hope this trip gives you some catharsis. That it helps you begin to heal in earnest.”

Grief is the price we pay for love. The greater the love, the higher the cost.

Three thousand miles in four days. And tears, door to door.

Luke 22:1-6 Now the Festival of the Unleavened Bread, which is called Passover, was getting near. And the chief priests and the scribes were looking for an effective way to get rid of him, because they were afraid of the people. Then Satan entered into Judas, the one called Is·carʹi·ot, who was numbered among the Twelve, and he went off and talked with the chief priests and temple captains about how to betray him to them. They were delighted at this and agreed to give him silver money. So he consented and began looking for a good opportunity to betray him to them without a crowd around.

Mark 14:1,2 Now the Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread was two days later. And the chief priests and the scribes were looking for a way to seize him by cunning and kill him; for they were saying: “Not at the festival; perhaps there might be an uproar of the people.”

Mark 14:10,11 And Judas Is·carʹi·ot, one of the Twelve, went off to the chief priests in order to betray him to them. When they heard it, they were delighted and promised to give him silver money. So he began seeking an opportunity to betray him.

#essay #travel #memoir #loss #death #biblereading #100DaysToOffload #Writing

2025-04-11 09:35:00

When rulers exploit, shepherds scatter, and prophets lie, Jehovah’s word still burns—and a righteous King will rise.

Jeremiah 22 and 23 condemn Judah’s corrupt kings, shepherds, priests, and false prophets for injustice, exploitation, violence, idolatry, and misleading the people with promises of peace. Jehovah warns that their disobedience will bring devastation, exile, disgrace, and the end of their rule. Yet he also promises hope: he will gather the scattered remnant of his people, provide faithful shepherds, and raise up a righteous king from David’s line who will rule with wisdom, justice, and righteousness, bringing salvation and security.

Chapter 22

This is what Jehovah says: “Go down to the house of the king of Judah, and deliver this message.

You must say, ‘Hear the word of Jehovah, O king of Judah who sits on the throne of David, you with your servants and your people, those who enter through these gates.

This is what Jehovah says:

“Uphold justice and righteousness.

Rescue the one being robbed from the hand of the defrauder.

Do not mistreat any foreign resident, and do not harm any fatherless child or widow.

And do not shed any innocent blood in this place.

For if you are careful to carry out this word, then the kings who sit on the throne of David will enter through the gates of this house, riding in chariots and on horses, they with their servants and their people.”’

“‘But if you will not obey these words, by myself I do swear,’ declares Jehovah, ‘that this house will become a devastated place.’

“For this is what Jehovah says concerning the house of the king of Judah,

‘You are as Gilʹe·ad to me, Like the summit of Lebʹa·non.

But I will make you a wilderness; Not one of your cities will be inhabited.

And I will appoint destroyers against you, Each with his weapons.

They will cut down your choicest cedars And make them fall into the fire.

“‘And many nations will pass by this city and say to one another:

“Why did Jehovah do this to this great city?”

And they will reply:

“Because they abandoned the covenant of Jehovah their God and bowed down to other gods and served them.”’

Do not weep for the dead one, And do not sympathize with him.

Instead, weep profusely for the one going away, For he will return no more to see the land of his birth.

“For this is what Jehovah says concerning Shalʹlum son of Jo·siʹah, the king of Judah who is reigning instead of his father Jo·siʹah and who has gone out of this place:

‘He will return there no more.

For he will die in the place where they have taken him into exile, and he will see this land no more.’

Woe to the one who builds his house without righteousness And his upper rooms without justice,

Who makes his fellow man serve him for nothing, Whose wages he refuses to pay;

The one saying,

‘I will build for myself a roomy house With spacious upper rooms.

I will fit it with windows And panel it with cedar and paint it with vermilion.’

Will you continue reigning because you outdo others in your use of cedar?

Your father also ate and drank, But he upheld justice and righteousness, And it went well with him.

He defended the legal claim of the afflicted one and the poor one, So that it went well.

‘Is that not what it means to know me?’ declares Jehovah.

‘But your eyes and heart are set only on your dishonest gain, On shedding innocent blood, And on committing fraud and extortion.’

“Therefore this is what Jehovah says concerning Je·hoiʹa·kim son of Jo·siʹah, the king of Judah,

‘They will not mourn him:

“Alas, my brother! Alas, my sister!”

They will not mourn him:

“Alas, O master! Alas, his majesty!”

With the burial of a donkey he will be buried, Dragged about and thrown away, Outside the gates of Jerusalem.’

Go up to Lebʹa·non and cry out, Raise your voice in Baʹshan, And cry out from Abʹa·rim,

For all your passionate lovers have been crushed.

I spoke to you when you felt secure.

But you said, ‘I will not obey.’

This has been your course since youth, For you have not obeyed my voice.

A wind will shepherd all your shepherds, And your passionate lovers will go into captivity.

Then you will be put to shame and humiliated because of all your calamity.

O you who dwell in Lebʹa·non, Nestled among the cedars,

How you will groan when pangs come on you, Anguish like that of a woman giving birth!”

“‘As surely as I am alive,’ declares Jehovah, ‘even if Co·niʹah son of Je·hoiʹa·kim, the king of Judah, were the seal ring on my right hand, I would pull you off from there!

I will give you into the hand of those seeking to take your life, into the hand of those whom you fear, into the hand of King Neb·u·chad·nezʹzar of Babylon, and into the hand of the Chal·deʹans.

And I will hurl you and your mother who gave birth to you into another land where you were not born, and there you will die.

And they will never return to the land they yearn for.

Is this man Co·niʹah just a despised, broken pot, A vessel that nobody wants?

Why are he and his descendants hurled down And thrown into a land they do not know?’

O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of Jehovah.

This is what Jehovah says:

‘Write down this man as childless, As a man who will not have any success during his lifetime,

For none of his descendants will succeed In sitting on David’s throne and ruling again in Judah.’”

Chapter 23

“Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasture!” declares Jehovah.

Therefore this is what Jehovah the God of Israel says against the shepherds who are shepherding my people:

“You have scattered my sheep; you kept dispersing them, and you have not turned your attention to them.”

“So I will turn my attention to you because of your evil deeds,” declares Jehovah.

“Then I will gather together the remnant of my sheep from all the lands to which I have dispersed them, and I will bring them back to their pasture, and they will be fruitful and become many.

And I will raise up over them shepherds who will really shepherd them.

They will no longer be afraid or be terrified, and none will be missing,” declares Jehovah.

“Look! The days are coming,” declares Jehovah, “when I will raise up to David a righteous sprout.

And a king will reign and show insight and uphold justice and righteousness in the land.

In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will reside in security.

And this is the name by which he will be called:

Jehovah Is Our Righteousness.”

“However, the days are coming,” declares Jehovah, “when they will no longer say,

‘As surely as Jehovah is alive, who brought the people of Israel out of the land of Egypt!’

but rather,

‘As surely as Jehovah is alive, who brought out and brought back the descendants of the house of Israel from the land of the north and from all the lands to which I had dispersed them,’

and they will dwell in their own land.”

Concerning the prophets:

My heart is broken within me.

All my bones are shaking.

I am like a man who is drunk And like a man overcome by wine,

Because of Jehovah and because of his holy words.

For the land is full of adulterers;

Because of the curse the land has gone into mourning And the pastures of the wilderness have dried up.

Their course is evil, and they abuse their power.

“Both the prophet and the priest are polluted.

Even in my own house I have found their wickedness,” declares Jehovah.

“So their path will become slippery and dark;

They will be pushed and will fall.

For I will bring calamity on them In the year of reckoning,” declares Jehovah.

“And in the prophets of Sa·marʹi·a I have seen what is repulsive.

Their prophecies are incited by Baʹal, And they lead my people Israel astray.

And in the prophets of Jerusalem I have seen horrible things.

They commit adultery and walk in falsehood;

They encourage evildoers, And they do not turn away from their wickedness.

To me they are all like Sodʹom, And her inhabitants are like Go·morʹrah.”

Therefore this is what Jehovah of armies says against the prophets:

“Here I am making them eat wormwood And giving them poisoned water to drink.

For from the prophets of Jerusalem apostasy has spread throughout the land.”

This is what Jehovah of armies says:

“Do not listen to the words of the prophets who are prophesying to you.

They are deluding you.

The vision they speak is from their own heart, Not from the mouth of Jehovah.

They are saying again and again to those who disrespect me,

‘Jehovah has said: “You will enjoy peace.”’

And to everyone who follows his own stubborn heart they say,

‘No calamity will come upon you.’

For who has stood in the inner circle of Jehovah To see and hear his word?

Who has paid attention to his word in order to hear it?

Look! The windstorm of Jehovah will burst out in fury;

Like a whirling tempest it will whirl down on the head of the wicked.

The anger of Jehovah will not turn back Until he has carried out and accomplished the intentions of his heart.

In the final part of the days you will clearly understand this.

I did not send the prophets, yet they ran.

I did not speak to them, yet they prophesied.

But if they had stood in my inner circle, They would have made my people hear my words

And would have caused them to turn back from their bad way and their evil deeds.”

“Am I only a God nearby,” declares Jehovah, “and not a God also from far away?”

“Can any man hide in a concealed place where I cannot see him?” declares Jehovah.

“Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?” declares Jehovah.

“I have heard the prophets who are prophesying lies in my name say,

‘I had a dream! I had a dream!’

How long will this continue in the heart of the prophets, to prophesy lies?

They are prophets of the deceit of their own heart.

They intend to make my people forget my name by the dreams they relate to one another, just as their fathers forgot my name because of Baʹal.

Let the prophet who has a dream relate the dream, but the one who has my word should speak my word truthfully.”

“What does the straw have in common with the grain?” declares Jehovah.

“Is not my word just like a fire,” declares Jehovah, “and like a forge hammer that smashes the crag?”

“So here I am against the prophets,” declares Jehovah, “who steal my words from one another.”

“Here I am against the prophets,” declares Jehovah, “those who use their tongue to say, ‘He declares!’”

“Here I am against the prophets of lying dreams,” declares Jehovah, “who relate them and lead my people astray because of their lies and their boasting.”

“But I did not send them or command them.

So they will not benefit this people at all,” declares Jehovah.

“And when this people or a prophet or a priest asks you,

‘What is the burden of Jehovah?’

you should reply to them,

‘“You people are the burden! And I will cast you off,” declares Jehovah.’

As for the prophet or the priest or the people who say,

‘This is the burden of Jehovah!’

I will turn my attention on that man and on his household.

This is what each of you is saying to his fellow and to his brother,

‘What has Jehovah answered? And what has Jehovah spoken?’

But the burden of Jehovah you should mention no more, for the burden is each one’s own word, and you have changed the words of the living God, Jehovah of armies, our God.

“This is what you will say to the prophet,

‘What answer has Jehovah given you? And what has Jehovah spoken?

And if you keep saying, “The burden of Jehovah!” this is what Jehovah says:

“Because of your saying, ‘This word is the burden of Jehovah,’ after I told you, ‘You must not say: “The burden of Jehovah!”’

look! I will lift you up and throw you away from my presence, both you and the city that I gave to you and your forefathers.

And I will bring on you everlasting disgrace and everlasting humiliation, which will not be forgotten.”’” ```

#biblereading #jeremiah

Listen or suffer the consequence.

A good name is to be chosen rather than great wealth; to be respected is better than silver and gold.

The rich and the poor have this in common: Jehovah made them both.

The shrewd one sees the danger and conceals himself, but the inexperienced keep right on going and suffer the consequences.

The result of humility and the fear of Jehovah is riches and glory and life.

Thorns and traps are in the crooked man’s path, but whoever values his life keeps far away from them.

Train a boy in the way he should go; even when he grows old he will not depart from it.

The rich one rules the poor, and the borrower is a slave to the lender.

Whoever sows unrighteousness will reap disaster, and the rod of his fury will come to its end.

The generous person will be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.

Drive away the scornful man, and contention will disappear; disputes and insults will cease.

The one who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious will have the king as his friend.

The eyes of Jehovah safeguard knowledge, but He overturns the words of the treacherous.

The lazy one says: “There is a lion outside! I will be killed in the middle of the public square!”

The mouth of wayward women is a deep pit. The one condemned by Jehovah will fall into it.

Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a boy, but the rod of discipline will remove it far from him.

The one defrauding the poor to increase his wealth and the one giving gifts to the rich will end up in poverty.

Incline your ear and listen to the words of the wise, in order to apply your heart to my knowledge, for it is pleasant to keep them deep within you, so that all of them may constantly be on your lips.

For your confidence to be in Jehovah, I am giving you knowledge today.

Have I not already written you, imparting advice and knowledge, to teach you true and reliable words, so that you can return with an accurate report to the one who sent you?

Do not rob the poor man because he is poor, and do not crush the lowly man in the city gate, for Jehovah himself will plead their cause, and he will take the life of those who defraud them.

Do not keep company with a hot-tempered man or get involved with one disposed to rage, so that you never learn his ways and ensnare yourself.

Do not be among those who shake hands in a pledge, who put up security for loans. If you have nothing to pay, your bed will be taken right out from under you!

Do not move an ancient boundary marker that your forefathers put in place.

Have you seen a man skillful at his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before common men.

#biblereading #proverbs #reflection #essay #memoir #journal

A heart is the source of all life

A king’s heart is like streams of water in Jehovah’s hand. He directs it wherever He pleases.

All of a man’s ways seem right to him, but Jehovah examines the hearts.

To do what is right and just is more pleasing to Jehovah than a sacrifice.

Haughty eyes and an arrogant heart— the lamp that guides the wicked is sin.

The plans of the diligent surely lead to success, but all who are hasty surely head for poverty.

Gaining treasures by a lying tongue is like a vanishing mist, a deadly snare.

The violence of the wicked will sweep them away, for they refuse to act with justice.

The way of a guilty man is crooked, but the activity of the pure man is upright.

Better to dwell on a corner of the roof than in the same house with a quarrelsome wife.

The wicked man craves what is bad; he shows no favor toward his neighbor.

When a ridiculer is punished, the inexperienced become wiser, and when a wise person receives insight, he gains knowledge.

The Righteous One observes the house of the wicked one; He overthrows the wicked to their ruin.

Whoever stops up his ear to the cry of the lowly one will himself call and not be answered.

A secret gift subdues anger, and a hidden bribe, fierce rage.

It is a joy for the righteous one to act with justice, but it is something terrible to those who practice evil.

The man who strays from the way of insight will rest in the company of those powerless in death.

The one who loves having a good time will come to poverty; the one who loves wine and oil will not grow rich.

The wicked one is a ransom for the righteous one, and the treacherous one will be taken in place of the upright.

Better to dwell in the wilderness than with a quarrelsome and irritable wife.

Precious treasure and oil are found in the house of the wise, but the stupid man will squander what he has.

Whoever pursues righteousness and loyal love will find life, righteousness, and glory.

A wise man can scale the city of the mighty and undermine the strength in which they trust.

The one guarding his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.

A presumptuous, arrogant braggart is what you call the man who acts with reckless presumptuousness.

What the lazy man craves will put him to death, for his hands refuse to work.

All day long he greedily craves, but the righteous one gives, holding nothing back.

The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable. How much more when he offers it with evil intent!

A lying witness will perish, but the man who listens will testify with success.

The wicked man puts on a bold face, but it is the upright one whose course is sure.

There is no wisdom, nor discernment, nor counsel in opposition to Jehovah.

The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but salvation belongs to Jehovah.

#biblereading #proverbs #spokenword

A man's heart is as deep waters

Wine is a ridiculer, alcohol is unruly; whoever goes astray by them is not wise.

The terror of a king is like the growling of a lion; whoever provokes his anger risks his own life.

It is honorable for a man to refrain from a dispute, but every fool will become embroiled in it.

The lazy one does not plow in winter, so he will be begging during the harvest when he has nothing.

The thoughts of a man’s heart are like deep waters, but the discerning man draws them out.

Many men proclaim their loyal love, but who can find a faithful man?

The righteous one is walking in his integrity. Happy are his children who come after him.

When the king sits on the throne to judge, he sifts out all evil with his eyes.

Who can say: “I have cleansed my heart; I am pure from my sin”?

Dishonest weights and false measures— both are detestable to Jehovah.

Even a child is known by his actions, whether his behavior is pure and right.

The hearing ear and the seeing eye— Jehovah has made both of them.

Do not love sleep, or you will come to poverty. Open your eyes, and you will be satisfied with bread.

“It is no good, it is no good!” says the buyer; then he goes away and boasts about himself.

There is gold, also much coral, but the lips of knowledge are something precious.

Take a man’s garment if he has given security for a stranger; seize the pledge from him if he did so for a foreign woman.

Bread gained by deceit tastes good to a man, but afterward his mouth will be full of gravel.

By consultation, plans will succeed, and by skillful direction wage your war.

A slanderer goes about revealing confidential talk; do not associate with one who loves to gossip.

Whoever curses his father and his mother, his lamp will be extinguished when darkness comes.

An inheritance obtained first by greed will not be a blessing in the end.

Do not say: “I will pay back evil!” Hope in Jehovah, and he will save you.

Dishonest weights are detestable to Jehovah, and deceptive scales are not good.

A man’s footsteps are directed by Jehovah; how can a man understand his own way?

It is a snare for a man to cry out rashly, “Holy!” and only later to give consideration to what he vowed.

A wise king sifts out the wicked and drives the threshing wheel over them.

The breath of a man is the lamp of Jehovah, searching through his innermost being.

Loyal love and faithfulness safeguard the king; by loyal love he sustains his throne.

The glory of young men is their strength, and the splendor of old men is their gray hair.

Bruises and wounds purge away evil, and beatings cleanse one’s innermost being.

#biblereading #proverbs #spokenword