Weeping for Jerusalem (Jer.35 - Lam.5)

Jer.35

1-11 There were those who maintained commitment while most gave in to the culture.

12-19 The end result is blessing for them.

Jer.36

2-3 Why did God want Jeremiah to write on the scroll? [opportunity to repent] Are we given the same opportunity?

Were the words accepted? 23,24 - “...When Jehudi had read three or four columns, the king cut it with a scribe's knife and threw it into the fire that was in the brazier, until all the scroll was consumed in the fire that was in the brazier. Yet the king and all his servants who heard all these words were not afraid, nor did they rend their garments...”

Political rulers tend to ignore spiritual counsel. What about religious leaders? What response is difficult to get from either group in America? [repentance]

Jer.37

1-10 Trusting in the world (Egypt) for security won’t work.

11-21 Jeremiah imprisoned, but brought out when Zedekiah wanted to know a word from God - then locked up again.

Jer.38

6 - Cast into a muddy cistern.

7-13 An Ethiopian rescues Jeremiah and he’s back to house arrest.

28 - He remained there until Jerusalem was captured.

Jer.39

1-9 Jerusalem falls. Zedekiah watches his sons get killed, then he’s blinded.

Who inherits the land? 10 - “...But some of the poorest people who had nothing, Nebuzaradan the captain of the bodyguard left behind in the land of Judah, and gave them vineyards and fields at that time...” (Matt.5:5 - the humble, meek, gentle)

11-18 Jeremiah is spared, and so is the Ethiopian who had rescued him.

Jer.40

The Babylonian captain recognized the events that were occurring were from Jeremiah’s God - didn’t take Jeremiah to Babylon with the captives, but left him with a remnant in Judah.

Jer.41

The appointed governor, Gedaliah, is assassinated.

Jer.42

3 - “...that the Lord your God may tell us the way in which we should walk and the thing that we should do..."

6 - “..."Whether it is pleasant or unpleasant, we will listen to the voice of the Lord our God to whom we are sending you, so that it may go well with us when we listen to the voice of the Lord our God..."

7 - “...Now at the end of ten days the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah...” God speaks when God speaks

Warned not to trust in Egypt.

Jer.43

They said in 42:6 that they would listen, whether good or bad.

2- “...Azariah the son of Hoshaiah, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the arrogant men said to Jeremiah, "You are telling a lie! The Lord our God has not sent you to say, 'You are not to enter Egypt to reside there'...”

It’s easier to say you’ll listen than to actually heed God’s words.

The remnant is taken to Egypt.

10,11 Babylon is sent to Egypt to judge the remnant.

Jer.44

7 - “...'Now then thus says the Lord God of hosts, the God of Israel, "Why are you doing great harm to yourselves, so as to cut off from you man and woman, child and infant, from among Judah, leaving yourselves without remnant,...”

8 - “...provoking Me to anger with the works of your hands, burning sacrifices to other gods in the land of Egypt, where you are entering to reside, so that you might be cut off and become a curse and a reproach among all the nations of the earth..? “

9 - "...Have you forgotten the wickedness of your fathers, the wickedness of the kings of Judah, and the wickedness of their wives, your own wickedness, and the wickedness of your wives, which they committed in the land of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem..?” Failed to remember history.

Jer.45

Warning for Baruch (the scribe who was writing down what Jeremiah prophesied) - not to start focusing on self.

Jer.46

11 - “...Go up to Gilead and obtain balm, O virgin daughter of Egypt! In vain have you multiplied remedies; There is no healing for you...” Futility of processing life without God.

15 The mighty can’t stand when God casts them down.

28 - “... O Jacob My servant, do not fear," declares the Lord, "For I am with you. For I will make a full end of all the nations Where I have driven you, Yet I will not make a full end of you; But I will correct you properly And by no means leave you unpunished..."

Jer.47

Prophesy against the Philistines.

Jer.48

Prophesy against Moab.

7 “...For because of your trust in your own achievements and treasures, Even you yourself will be captured; And Chemosh will go off into exile Together with his priests and his princes..."

10 - “...Cursed be the one who does the Lord's work negligently, And cursed be the one who restrains his sword from blood...”

What does God expect? [trust in Him, diligence in His work].

29 - Certainly not haughtiness, pride, arrogance and self exaltation.

Jer.49

4 - “...How boastful you are about the valleys! Your valley is flowing away, O backsliding daughter Who trusts in her treasures, saying, 'Who will come against me...?” America?

16 - “...As for the terror of you, The arrogance of your heart has deceived you, O you who live in the clefts of the rock, Who occupy the height of the hill. Though you make your nest as high as an eagle's, I will bring you down from there," declares the Lord...”

Ammonites, Edomites, Damascus, Kedar, Hazor, Elam - Multiple nations will fall, some will rise again in the last days.

What would you think of a person proclaiming judgment against the current world powers?

Jer.50

Long discourse about the ultimate control exerted by the Living God.

6 - “... My people have become lost sheep; Their shepherds have led them astray. They have made them turn aside on the mountains; They have gone along from mountain to hill And have forgotten their resting place...”

7 - "...All who came upon them have devoured them; And their adversaries have said, 'We are not guilty, Inasmuch as they have sinned against the Lord who is the habitation of righteousness, Even the Lord, the hope of their fathers...”

24 - “...I set a snare for you and you were also caught, O Babylon, While you yourself were not aware; You have been found and also seized Because you have engaged in conflict with the Lord..."

Jer.51

5 - “...For neither Israel nor Judah has been forsaken By his God, the Lord of hosts, Although their land is full of guilt Before the Holy One of Israel...” Lord, have mercy on us as well.

29 - “...So the land quakes and writhes, For the purposes of the Lord against Babylon stand, To make the land of Babylon A desolation without inhabitants...”

58 - “...Thus says the Lord of hosts, "The broad wall of Babylon will be completely razed And her high gates will be set on fire; So the peoples will toil for nothing, And the nations become exhausted only for fire..." Sound familiar?

59-64 Jeremiah writes the prophecy on a scroll and instructs Seraiah to read it, tie a stone to it, and throw it in the Euphrates. Babylon will sink.

Jer.52

Another description of the fall of Jerusalem (Jer. 39, 2Kng 24,25) More detail given here.

28-30 Number of captives taken during the three different sieges of Judah (3023 + 832 + 745 = 4600)

LAMENTATIONS

Lam.1

Why did Jeremiah lament? [He knew that it was the sin of God’s people that lead to suffering and exile. He grieved with God.]

9 - “...Her uncleanness was in her skirts; She did not consider her future. Therefore she has fallen astonishingly; She has no comforter. "See, O Lord, my affliction, For the enemy has magnified himself!..."

Lam.2

14 - “...Your prophets have seen for you False and foolish visions; And they have not exposed your iniquity So as to restore you from captivity, But they have seen for you false and misleading oracles...” Diligence is required.

Lam.3

God’s judgment

Hope? 21-23 “...This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope. The Lord's lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness...”

For whom? 25 - “...The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, To the person who seeks Him...”

40 - “...Let us examine and probe our ways, And let us return to the Lord...”

Lam.4

Punishment will be completed.

Lam.5

4 - Pay for drinking water?

21 - Restore us Lord, and we will be restored.

Exile with Promise (Jer.10-34)

Jer.10

2,3 - “... Thus says the Lord, "Do not learn the way of the nations, And do not be terrified by the signs of the heavens Although the nations are terrified by them; For the customs of the peoples are delusion; Because it is wood cut from the forest, The work of the hands of a craftsman with a cutting tool...” What customs? [Idolatry] What do American’s worship?

21 - “...For the shepherds have become stupid And have not sought the Lord; Therefore they have not prospered, And all their flock is scattered...”

Jer.11

4 - “...which I commanded your forefathers in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, from the iron furnace, saying, 'Listen to My voice, and do according to all which I command you; so you shall be My people, and I will be your God,..'

8 - “...'Yet they did not obey or incline their ear, but walked, each one, in the stubbornness of his evil heart; therefore I brought on them all the words of this covenant, which I commanded them to do, but they did not.' ..."

10 - “...They have turned back to the iniquities of their ancestors who refused to hear My words, and they have gone after other gods to serve them; the house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken My covenant which I made with their fathers..."

It’s US not THEM that frustrate God.

Jer.12

2,3 - “... You have planted them, they have also taken root; They grow, they have even produced fruit. You are near to their lips But far from their mind. But You know me, O Lord; You see me; And You examine my heart's attitude toward You. Drag them off like sheep for the slaughter And set them apart for a day of carnage!..” What does God find in our hearts?

10 - “...Many shepherds have ruined My vineyard, They have trampled down My field; They have made My pleasant field A desolate wilderness...”

17 - “...But if they will not listen, then I will uproot that nation, uproot and destroy it," declares the Lord...”

Jer.13 THE RUINED WAISTBAND

If we don’t cling to God and His word, we too become ruined.

25 - “...This is your lot, the portion measured to you From Me," declares the Lord, "Because you have forgotten Me And trusted in falsehood...”

Jer.14

10-12 “...When they fast, I am not going to listen to their cry; and when they offer burnt offering and grain offering, I am not going to accept them. Rather I am going to make an end of them by the sword, famine and pestilence." But, "Ah, Lord God!" I said, "Look, the prophets are telling them, 'You will not see the sword nor will you have famine, but I will give you lasting peace in this place.' " Then the Lord said to me, "The prophets are prophesying falsehood in My name. I have neither sent them nor commanded them nor spoken to them; they are prophesying to you a false vision, divination, futility and the deception of their own minds...” Is everything that is said in religious circles true?

Jer.15

The Lord has had enough of Judah’s sin. They are destined to death, the sword, famine, and captivity. Why?

4 - “...I will make them an object of horror among all the kingdoms of the earth because of Manasseh, the son of Hezekiah, the king of Judah, for what he did in Jerusalem...” Poor leadership leads to considerable sin. [Abortion, Homosexuality, Adultery, etc]

Jer.16

5 - “...For thus says the Lord, "Do not enter a house of mourning, or go to lament or to console them; for I have withdrawn My peace from this people," declares the Lord, "My lovingkindness and compassion...”

Does God do that? Why?

12 - “...You too have done evil, even more than your forefathers; for behold, you are each one walking according to the stubbornness of his own evil heart, without listening to Me...”

18 - Double repay! Why? “... they have polluted My land...”

21 - “...Therefore behold, I am going to make them know— This time I will make them know My power and My might; And they shall know that My name is the Lord..."

Jer.17

5 - “...Thus says the Lord, "Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind And makes flesh his strength, And whose heart turns away from the Lord...”

7 - "...Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord And whose trust is the Lord...”

9 - "...The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it?...”

14 - “...Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed; Save me and I will be saved, For You are my praise...”

Then we get another Sabbath command.

12,22 - “...Thus says the Lord, "Take heed for yourselves, and do not carry any load on the sabbath day or bring anything in through the gates of Jerusalem. "You shall not bring a load out of your houses on the sabbath day nor do any work, but keep the sabbath day holy, as I commanded your forefathers...”

Or else 27 - “...But if you do not listen to Me to keep the sabbath day holy by not carrying a load and coming in through the gates of Jerusalem on the sabbath day, then I will kindle a fire in its gates and it will devour the palaces of Jerusalem and not be quenched...'

Jer.18 POTTER / CLAY

7 - God can uproot, pull down, and destroy nations.

8 - He relents if there is repentance.

11 - God has Jeremiah warn His people of the need for repentance.

18 - The people fail to heed Jeremiah’s warnings.

19-23 Jeremiah starts praying against them rather than for them.

Jer.19 THE BROKEN JAR

4 - “...Because they have forsaken Me and have made this an alien place and have burned sacrifices in it to other gods, that neither they nor their forefathers nor the kings of Judah had ever known, and because they have filled this place with the blood of the innocent...” Blood of the innocent? [abortion].

Jar to be broken. Nation to be broken.

Why? 15 - “...Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, 'Behold, I am about to bring on this city and all its towns the entire calamity that I have declared against it, because they have stiffened their necks so as not to heed My words.' ..."

Jer.20

What did Jeremiah get for proclaiming the Word of God?

2 - Beaten, put in stocks.

7 - Jeremiah’s not too happy with the treatment he’s getting.

What kind of treatment do proclaimers of God’s intentions and expectations get in America?

12 - “...Yet, O Lord of hosts, You who test the righteous, Who see the mind and the heart; Let me see Your vengeance on them; For to You I have set forth my cause...” Are we God’s, regardless of the world’s raging?

Jer.21

Zedekiah asks Jeremiah if God will perform one of His wonderful acts to deliver Jerusalem from Nebuchadnezzar.

Answer?

5,6 - “...I Myself will war against you with an outstretched hand and a mighty arm, even in anger and wrath and great indignation. "I will also strike down the inhabitants of this city, both man and beast; they will die of a great pestilence...”

10 - “...For I have set My face against this city for harm and not for good," declares the Lord. "It will be given into the hand of the king of Babylon and he will burn it with fire..."'

But chance to avert?

12 - “...O house of David, thus says the Lord: "Administer justice every morning; And deliver the person who has been robbed from the power of his oppressor, That My wrath may not go forth like fire And burn with none to extinguish it, Because of the evil of their deeds...”

14 - “...But I will punish you according to the results of your deeds," declares the Lord, "And I will kindle a fire in its forest That it may devour all its environs...”

Jer.22

3 - “...Thus says the Lord, "Do justice and righteousness, and deliver the one who has been robbed from the power of his oppressor. Also do not mistreat or do violence to the stranger, the orphan, or the widow; and do not shed innocent blood in this place...”

13 - “...Woe to him who builds his house without righteousness And his upper rooms without justice, Who uses his neighbor's services without pay And does not give him his wages,..”

17 - “...But your eyes and your heart Are intent only upon your own dishonest gain, And on shedding innocent blood And on practicing oppression and extortion..."

Jer.23

1 - God’s disapproval of shepherds who are destroying and scattering.

3-4 God Himself will gather the remnant and provide shepherds.

7-8 - “...Therefore behold, the days are coming," declares the Lord, "when they will no longer say, 'As the Lord lives, who brought up the sons of Israel from the land of Egypt,' but, 'As the Lord lives, who brought up and led back the descendants of the household of Israel from the north land and from all the countries where I had driven them.' Then they will live on their own soil..." A shift from remembering deliverance from Egypt to remembering deliverance from Babylon. Any since then?

11 - Prophet and priest are polluted

14 - Committing adultery and walking in falsehood. Failing to bring about repentance.

16 - Leading into futility. Speaking from their own imagination.

20 - “...The anger of the Lord will not turn back Until He has performed and carried out the purposes of His heart; In the last days you will clearly understand it...”

22 - Three parts to proper leadership:

1 - Stand in God’s council.

2 - Announce God’s words to the people.

3 - Repentance.

29-32 “...Is not My word like fire?" declares the Lord, "and like a hammer which shatters a rock? "Therefore behold, I am against the prophets," declares the Lord, "who steal My words from each other. "Behold, I am against the prophets," declares the Lord, "who use their tongues and declare, 'The Lord declares.' "Behold, I am against those who have prophesied false dreams," declares the Lord, "and related them and led My people astray by their falsehoods and reckless boasting; yet I did not send them or command them, nor do they furnish this people the slightest benefit," declares the Lord...”

Is it possible to parade God’s words recklessly without being sent?

36 - “...For you will no longer remember the oracle of the Lord, because every man's own word will become the oracle, and you have perverted the words of the living God, the Lord of hosts, our God...”

Jer.24 GOOD AND BAD FIGS

Different results.

7 - “...I will give them a heart to know Me, for I am the Lord; and they will be My people, and I will be their God, for they will return to Me with their whole heart...”

Jer.25

Time frames are given.

3 - “...From the thirteenth year of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah, even to this day, these twenty-three years the word of the Lord has come to me, and I have spoken to you again and again, but you have not listened...” Seek Him while He may be found?

11 - Captivity to be 70 years.

12 - Judgment in Babylon

Jer.26

2 - Speak the words God gives - don’t omit a word.

3-6 God was willing to withhold judgment if everyone would turn away from evil.

7-15 Instead of repenting, they want to put Jeremiah to death.

16-24 Jeremiah is spared.

Jer.27 BONDS AND YOKE

Jeremiah demonstrates the coming bondage and yoke of captivity.

5 - “...I have made the earth, the men and the beasts which are on the face of the earth by My great power and by My outstretched arm, and I will give it to the one who is pleasing in My sight...” Interaction, not just creation.

17 - The message becomes “...serve the king of Babylon and live!...”

Jer.28

Hananiah speaks a preferred word, but not a true word.

10 - broke the yoke from Jeremiah’s neck.

There are always opposing views, but only one reality from God.

15 - Hananiah made the people believe a lie.

17 - Hananiah dies.

Jer.29

7 - “...Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf; for in its welfare you will have welfare...'

11 - “...For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope...”

Popular, much quoted verse, but look at the context.

10 - They have to spend 70 years in exile.

13 “...You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart...”

Can we live for another generation’s good?

31-32 Positive confession can be a lie and rebellion against the Lord.

Jer.30

11 - “...For I am with you,' declares the Lord, 'to save you; For I will destroy completely all the nations where I have scattered you, Only I will not destroy you completely. But I will chasten you justly And will by no means leave you unpunished...”

17 - “...For I will restore you to health And I will heal you of your wounds,' declares the Lord, 'Because they have called you an outcast, saying: "It is Zion; no one cares for her...”

24 - “...The fierce anger of the Lord will not turn back Until He has performed and until He has accomplished The intent of His heart; In the latter days you will understand this...” Whose intent? When is it understood?

Jer.31

3,4 - “...The Lord appeared to him from afar, saying, "I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore I have drawn you with lovingkindness. "Again I will build you and you will be rebuilt, O virgin of Israel! Again you will take up your tambourines, And go forth to the dances of the merrymakers...”

9 - “...With weeping they will come, And by supplication I will lead them; I will make them walk by streams of waters, On a straight path in which they will not stumble; For I am a father to Israel, And Ephraim is My firstborn..."

14 - "...I will fill the soul of the priests with abundance, And My people will be satisfied with My goodness," declares the Lord...”

17 - "...There is hope for your future," declares the Lord, "And your children will return to their own territory...”

25 - “...For I satisfy the weary ones and refresh everyone who languishes..."

31-33 “...Behold, days are coming," declares the Lord, "when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, not like the covenant which I made with their fathers in the day I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, although I was a husband to them," declares the Lord. "But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days," declares the Lord, "I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people...”

When were these promises being given? Can we have hope in the midst of country being judged by God?

Jer.32

2 - Jeremiah is under house arrest.

7-15 Purchases a field and stores the deed in an earthenware jar, thus proclaiming there will be a return to the land.

17-19 Great song in the midst of struggle. Jeremiah is in prison and Jerusalem is under siege. There is always a bigger reality than our current situation.

38,39 “...They shall be My people, and I will be their God; and I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear Me always, for their own good and for the good of their children after them...” God’s ultimate reality.

Jer.33

Said at the fall of Jerusalem and beginning of 70 yr exile.

3 - “...Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know...”

6 - “...Behold, I will bring to it health and healing, and I will heal them; and I will reveal to them an abundance of peace and truth...”

Could the 70 yr exile have been averted? [Not once the sins were committed].

Could Jesus death on the cross have been averted? [Not once the sins were committed. Didn’t Christ Himself ask for another way?]

Jer.34

Releasing the slaves but then taking them back.

Our attempts at following God’s clear instructions seem always to fall prey to our selfishness.

We need new hearts.

God's Purposes will be Established (Is.49-Jer.9)

Isa.49

God's broader plan. 6 - "...He says, "It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant To raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also make You a light of the nations So that My salvation may reach to the end of the earth..."

Nail scarred? 16 - "...Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; Your walls are continually before Me..."

22,23 - "...Thus says the Lord God, "Behold, I will lift up My hand to the nations And set up My standard to the peoples; And they will bring your sons in their bosom, And your daughters will be carried on their shoulders. "Kings will be your guardians, And their princesses your nurses. They will bow down to you with their faces to the earth And lick the dust of your feet; And you will know that I am the Lord; Those who hopefully wait for Me will not be put to shame..."

25 - "...Surely, thus says the Lord, "Even the captives of the mighty man will be taken away, And the prey of the tyrant will be rescued; For I will contend with the one who contends with you, And I will save your sons..."

Isa.50

4-9 - "...The Lord God has given Me the tongue of disciples, That I may know how to sustain the weary one with a word. He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple. The Lord God has opened My ear; And I was not disobedient Nor did I turn back. I gave My back to those who strike Me, And My cheeks to those who pluck out the beard; I did not cover My face from humiliation and spitting. For the Lord God helps Me, Therefore, I am not disgraced; Therefore, I have set My face like flint, And I know that I will not be ashamed. He who vindicates Me is near; Who will contend with Me? Let us stand up to each other; Who has a case against Me? Let him draw near to Me. Behold, the Lord God helps Me; Who is he who condemns Me? Behold, they will all wear out like a garment; The moth will eat them..." Isaiah? Christ? Any servant of God?

Isa.51

9-11 Remembering what God has done brings gladness and joy while waiting for restoration.

21-23 Turn of events, like America needs.

Isa.52

5-15 The continual blaspheming of God's name will not go on forever. There's good news, there's comfort, there's restoration.

Isa.53

1-12 Think about when this was uttered.

Isa.54

2 - "...Enlarge the place of your tent; Stretch out the curtains of your dwellings, spare not; Lengthen your cords And strengthen your pegs..." Think bigger? Influence more?

4-8 God's relationship with His people described as a husband and wife.

9-10 "...For this is like the days of Noah to Me, When I swore that the waters of Noah Would not flood the earth again; So I have sworn that I will not be angry with you Nor will I rebuke you. For the mountains may be removed and the hills may shake, But My lovingkindness will not be removed from you, And My covenant of peace will not be shaken," Says the Lord who has compassion on you..."

17 - "...No weapon that is formed against you will prosper; And every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, And their vindication is from Me," declares the Lord..." Have any weapons been formed against God's people? Have they appeared to succeed? Have they prospered? Rev. martyrs under the altar.

Isa.55

1-3 "...Ho! Every one who thirsts, come to the waters; And you who have no money come, buy and eat. Come, buy wine and milk Without money and without cost. "Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And delight yourself in abundance. "Incline your ear and come to Me. Listen, that you may live; And I will make an everlasting covenant with you, According to the faithful mercies shown to David..."

6 - "...Seek the Lord while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near..." Not always possible?

8,9 - "...For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," declares the Lord. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts..."

11 - "...So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it..."

Isa.56

1 - "...Thus says the Lord, "Preserve justice and do righteousness, For My salvation is about to come And My righteousness to be revealed..." Our part, His part?

2 - "...How blessed is the man who does this, And the son of man who takes hold of it; Who keeps from profaning the sabbath, And keeps his hand from doing any evil..." Sabbath?

3-6 Expounding on the Sabbath! "...Let not the foreigner who has joined himself to the Lord say, "The Lord will surely separate me from His people." Nor let the eunuch say, "Behold, I am a dry tree." For thus says the Lord, "To the eunuchs who keep My sabbaths, And choose what pleases Me, And hold fast My covenant, To them I will give in My house and within My walls a memorial, And a name better than that of sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name which will not be cut off. "Also the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord, To minister to Him, and to love the name of the Lord, To be His servants, every one who keeps from profaning the sabbath And holds fast My covenant;.."

7 - "...Even those I will bring to My holy mountain And make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be acceptable on My altar; For My house will be called a house of prayer for all the peoples..." ALL!

God's people need to be rescued from:

10 - Watchmen who are blind.

11 - Shepherds who have no understanding.

Isa.57

Rebuke of children of rebellion, offspring of deceit (v4).

13 - "...When you cry out, let your collection of idols deliver you. But the wind will carry all of them up, And a breath will take them away. But he who takes refuge in Me will inherit the land And will possess My holy mountain..."

15 - "...For thus says the high and exalted One Who lives forever, whose name is Holy, "I dwell on a high and holy place, And also with the contrite and lowly of spirit In order to revive the spirit of the lowly And to revive the heart of the contrite..."

21 - "...There is no peace," says my God, "for the wicked..."

Isa.58

2 - "...Yet they seek Me day by day and delight to know My ways, As a nation that has done righteousness And has not forsaken the ordinance of their God. They ask Me for just decisions, They delight in the nearness of God..." Sounds right.

but problems with fasting:

3-5 "...Why have we fasted and You do not see? Why have we humbled ourselves and You do not notice?' Behold, on the day of your fast you find your desire, And drive hard all your workers. "Behold, you fast for contention and strife and to strike with a wicked fist. You do not fast like you do today to make your voice heard on high. "Is it a fast like this which I choose, a day for a man to humble himself? Is it for bowing one's head like a reed And for spreading out sackcloth and ashes as a bed? Will you call this a fast, even an acceptable day to the Lord?..."

Do people want what people want, or what God wants? Why fast?

6-7 "...Is this not the fast which I choose, To loosen the bonds of wickedness, To undo the bands of the yoke, And to let the oppressed go free And break every yoke? "Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry And bring the homeless poor into the house; When you see the naked, to cover him; And not to hide yourself from your own flesh?..."

10,11 "...And if you give yourself to the hungry And satisfy the desire of the afflicted, Then your light will rise in darkness And your gloom will become like midday. And the Lord will continually guide you, And satisfy your desire in scorched places, And give strength to your bones; And you will be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water whose waters do not fail..."

13,14 "...If because of the sabbath, you turn your foot From doing your own pleasure on My holy day, And call the sabbath a delight, the holy day of the Lord honorable, And honor it, desisting from your own ways, From seeking your own pleasure And speaking your own word, Then you will take delight in the Lord, And I will make you ride on the heights of the earth; And I will feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father, For the mouth of the Lord has spoken..." This is one of the best descriptions of God's Sabbath expectations.

Isa.59

1,2 "...Behold, the Lord's hand is not so short That it cannot save; Nor is His ear so dull That it cannot hear. But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, And your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear..." When people say there is no God, or evidence of God, what has really happened?

10 - "...We grope along the wall like blind men, We grope like those who have no eyes; We stumble at midday as in the twilight, Among those who are vigorous we are like dead men..." Blindness like the men of Sodom.

14,15 - "...Justice is turned back, And righteousness stands far away; For truth has stumbled in the street, And uprightness cannot enter. Yes, truth is lacking; And he who turns aside from evil makes himself a prey. Now the Lord saw, And it was displeasing in His sight that there was no justice..."

21 - "...As for Me, this is My covenant with them," says the Lord: "My Spirit which is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your offspring, nor from the mouth of your offspring's offspring," says the Lord, "from now and forever..." What are the sustaining threads throughout history? [God's Spirit and God's word]

Isa.60

1-3 "...Arise, shine; for your light has come, And the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. "For behold, darkness will cover the earth And deep darkness the peoples; But the Lord will rise upon you And His glory will appear upon you. "Nations will come to your light, And kings to the brightness of your rising..." Are we shining for the world?

10 - "...Foreigners will build up your walls, And their kings will minister to you; For in My wrath I struck you, And in My favor I have had compassion on you..." Two sides of God?

Who makes good things happen?

15-22 peace and righteousness, no violence, no sun or moon, the Lord is an everlasting light, all the people righteous. Sounds like a major shift of reality.

Isa.61

1-2a Jesus quoted as being fulfilled by Him at His first coming (Luke 4:18-19) What about 2b? Second coming?

8 - "...For I, the Lord, love justice, I hate robbery in the burnt offering; And I will faithfully give them their recompense And make an everlasting covenant with them..." What does the Lord love? Hate? What difference does this make in how you live your life?

10-11 "...I will rejoice greatly in the Lord, My soul will exult in my God; For He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For as the earth brings forth its sprouts, And as a garden causes the things sown in it to spring up, So the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise To spring up before all the nations..." Does He?

Isa.62

1-5 What is described as the bride of the Lord? ["...to Him your land will be married..."]

Isa.63

5 - "...I looked, and there was no one to help, And I was astonished and there was no one to uphold; So My own arm brought salvation to Me, And My wrath upheld Me..." What astonished God, and what did He do about it?

14 - "...As the cattle which go down into the valley, The Spirit of the Lord gave them rest. So You led Your people, To make for Yourself a glorious name..." What was God accomplishing by leading His people? [making His name glorious] Is this happening now?

Isa.64

4-5 "...For from days of old they have not heard or perceived by ear, Nor has the eye seen a God besides You, Who acts in behalf of the one who waits for Him. You meet him who rejoices in doing righteousness, Who remembers You in Your ways. Behold, You were angry, for we sinned, We continued in them a long time; And shall we be saved?..." On whose behalf does God act?

But people aren't so good. 6-7 "..For all of us have become like one who is unclean, And all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment; And all of us wither like a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. There is no one who calls on Your name, Who arouses himself to take hold of You; For You have hidden Your face from us And have delivered us into the power of our iniquities..." Does sin have its own power?

Isa.65

2-4 “...I have spread out My hands all day long to a rebellious people, Who walk in the way which is not good, following their own thoughts, A people who continually provoke Me to My face, Offering sacrifices in gardens and burning incense on bricks; Who sit among graves and spend the night in secret places; Who eat swine's flesh, And the broth of unclean meat is in their pots...” Is it amazing that He continues to spread out His hands to us?

10 - “...Sharon will be a pasture land for flocks, And the valley of Achor a resting place for herds, For My people who seek Me...” Trouble becomes rest for those who seek God.

12 - “...I will destine you for the sword, And all of you will bow down to the slaughter. Because I called, but you did not answer; I spoke, but you did not hear. And you did evil in My sight And chose that in which I did not delight..." What do we choose?

17-20 “...For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former things will not be remembered or come to mind. "But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create; For behold, I create Jerusalem for rejoicing And her people for gladness. "I will also rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in My people; And there will no longer be heard in her The voice of weeping and the sound of crying. "No longer will there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, Or an old man who does not live out his days; For the youth will die at the age of one hundred And the one who does not reach the age of one hundred Will be thought accursed...” When is this, that there is still death? Millennial reign? Is this when we reign with Him?

Isa.66

2 - “...For My hand made all these things, Thus all these things came into being," declares the Lord. "But to this one I will look, To him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word...” God’s heart?

3,4 - “... they have chosen their own ways, And their soul delights in their abominations, So I will choose their punishments And will bring on them what they dread. Because I called, but no one answered; I spoke, but they did not listen. And they did evil in My sight And chose that in which I did not delight..."

JEREMIAH

Spokesman for God for 40 years.

Stood alone and took much abuse.

No one seemed to pay attention to his words - will we?

Basic message? [Repent]

Jer.1

4-10 Call and commission.

5 - Known before birth.

7 - To speak what God gives him.

8 - Without fear. Why would God tell him to not be afraid [He would have a lot of opportunity to be afraid]

19 - “...They will fight against you, but they will not overcome you, for I am with you to deliver you," declares the Lord...” Is there still resistance when working for God?

Jer.2

Incorrect walking.

5 - Walked after emptiness and became empty.

8 - Walked after things that did not profit.

11 - Changed their glory for that which does not profit.

13 - Two evils committed by God’s people:

1 - Forsaking God, the real fountain.

2 - Making their own source, that can’t hold God stuff.

19 - “...Your own wickedness will correct you, And your apostasies will reprove you; Know therefore and see that it is evil and bitter For you to forsake the Lord your God, And the dread of Me is not in you," declares the Lord God of hosts...”

20 "...For long ago I broke your yoke And tore off your bonds; But you said, 'I will not serve!' For on every high hill And under every green tree You have lain down as a harlot...” Is this typical? Does God deliver so people can do what they want, or so they can take their proper place relative to His Lordship?

32 “...Can a virgin forget her ornaments, Or a bride her attire? Yet My people have forgotten Me Days without number...”

Jer.3

2,3 “...Lift up your eyes to the bare heights and see; Where have you not been violated? By the roads you have sat for them Like an Arab in the desert, And you have polluted a land With your harlotry and with your wickedness. "Therefore the showers have been withheld, And there has been no spring rain. Yet you had a harlot's forehead; You refused to be ashamed...” How has the land been polluted? What is the result? [God withholds blessing]

11-14 God’s conditions for a banished people to return:

13 - “...'Only acknowledge your iniquity, That you have transgressed against the Lord your God And have scattered your favors to the strangers under every green tree, And you have not obeyed My voice,' declares the Lord...”

Results of returning to God:

15 - “...Then I will give you shepherds after My own heart, who will feed you on knowledge and understanding...”

22 - “...Return, O faithless sons, I will heal your faithlessness." "Behold, we come to You; For You are the Lord our God...”

Jer.4

More conditions for returning:

1 - Put away your detested things.

3 - Break up your fallow ground.

4 - Mark yourselves as God’s.

6 - Lift up a standard.

14 - Wash your heart.

Jer.5

God is looking for, but God gets? 3 - “... O Lord, do not Your eyes look for truth? You have smitten them, But they did not weaken; You have consumed them, But they refused to take correction. They have made their faces harder than rock; They have refused to repent...”

5 - “...I will go to the great And will speak to them, For they know the way of the Lord And the ordinance of their God." But they too, with one accord, have broken the yoke And burst the bonds...” People break the yoke and burst the bonds and think they are free. NOT!

10 - “... Go up through her vine rows and destroy, But do not execute a complete destruction; Strip away her branches, For they are not the Lord's...” Does God prune (and graft)?

Problems with:

Prophets - 13 “...The prophets are as wind, And the word is not in them. Thus it will be done to them!...”

Hearts - 23 “... But this people has a stubborn and rebellious heart; They have turned aside and departed...”

Deceit - 27 “...Like a cage full of birds, So their houses are full of deceit; Therefore they have become great and rich...”

Focus - 28 “...They are fat, they are sleek, They also excel in deeds of wickedness; They do not plead the cause, The cause of the orphan, that they may prosper; And they do not defend the rights of the poor...”

Leadership - 31 “...The prophets prophesy falsely, And the priests rule on their own authority; And My people love it so! But what will you do at the end of it?...”

Jer.6

Jerusalem will be punished:

10 - Ears are closed.

13 - Greedy for gain.

14 - Brokenness cared for superficially.

15 - Not ashamed.

16 - “...Thus says the Lord, "Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, Where the good way is, and walk in it; And you will find rest for your souls. But they said, 'We will not walk in it...”

Jer.7

Offer from God:

3 - “...Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, "Amend your ways and your deeds, and I will let you dwell in this place...”

5 - "...For if you truly amend your ways and your deeds, if you truly practice justice between a man and his neighbor,...”

6 - “...if you do not oppress the alien, the orphan, or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place, nor walk after other gods to your own ruin,...”

Reminder of initial offer:

23 - “...But this is what I commanded them, saying, 'Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you will be My people; and you will walk in all the way which I command you, that it may be well with you...'

Response/Result:

26 - “...Yet they did not listen to Me or incline their ear, but stiffened their neck; they did more evil than their fathers...”

28 - “...You shall say to them, 'This is the nation that did not obey the voice of the Lord their God or accept correction; truth has perished and has been cut off from their mouth...”

Jer.8

7 - “...Even the stork in the sky Knows her seasons; And the turtledove and the swift and the thrush Observe the time of their migration; But My people do not know The ordinance of the Lord...”

10 - “...Therefore I will give their wives to others, Their fields to new owners; Because from the least even to the greatest Everyone is greedy for gain; From the prophet even to the priest Everyone practices deceit...”

11 "...They heal the brokenness of the daughter of My people superficially, Saying, 'Peace, peace,' But there is no peace...” Again the superficial answer to deep issues. You can’t just say all is well. Make is so.

Jer.9

3 - Lies, not truth, prevail in the land.

5 - Everyone deceives, tongues are taught to lie (learned).

6 - Refuse to know God.

14 - Walked after stubbornness of their heart.

What is one thing worthy of boasting? 24 - “...but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things," declares the Lord...”