Scripture Reading : Jeremiah 27
Theme : The Yoke of Babylon
Message to Ambassadors (1-11)
Chapters 27-29 attack the false optimism of Judah’s false prophets. Israel is on the verge of revolting against Babylon. Surrounding nations send ambassadors to try to forge an alliance against Babylon. But God warns them not to rebel. If they rebel, they will die. But if they submit to Babylon, the will live. This message is vividly proclaimed through the display of Jeremiah’s yoke. A yoke symbolizes submission and recognition of the master’s authority (Matt. 11:29).
Message to Israel (12-22).
God also warns Israel not to rebel against Babylon or else they will die. Jeremiah warns them not to believe in false prophets who were saying the opposite. They were so optimistic that they thought everything that Babylon had taken from Israel in the previous two conquests would be returned to Israel soon. They falsely proclaim that God’s judgement on them will be over soon, it will not last for 70 years.
Praying the Scripture
God’s heart is pure. He does not desire any suffering for anyone, even the wicked. That is why He even warns Israel and surrounding nations to submit to Babylon in order to live and not be destroyed. All the warnings and blessings in the Bible are designed to guide us to spiritual and physical well-being. If God even warns the wicked for their good, how much more does He warn His beloved for our own good? Pray that you will believe in the warnings and blessings in the Bible and trust in God’s goodness to you.
经文：耶利米书27
主题：巴比伦的轭
给使臣的信息（1-11）。
第27-29章抨击了犹大假先知的虚假乐观主义。以色列蠢蠢欲动，想抵抗巴比伦。周边列国都派出了使臣试图结成联盟对抗巴比伦。然而，神警告他们不要反抗。倘若他们如此行，便将招致灭亡。可是，他们若肯降服于巴比伦，他们便能存活。这信息通过耶利米的轭更形象化了。轭象征着对主人权柄的顺服与承认（太11:29）。
给以色列的信息（12-22）。
神也警告以色列不要反抗巴比伦，否则将招致灭亡。耶利米警告他们不要相信背道而驰的假先知。他们竞乐观的认为巴比伦在前两次征战所夺走的一切，都会在不久后归还于以色列。他们错误地宣告神对以色列的审判不久就会结束，不会有70年之久。
用经文祷告
神的心是纯净的。祂不喜悦任何人受苦，包括恶人，所以祂警戒以色列与她的邻国降服于巴比伦，好叫她能存活，不致毁灭。圣经里的警戒与祝福都是为指引我们得属灵和物质的好处的。神尚且为恶人的好处警戒他们，而我们这些蒙祂所爱的，岂不更是如此吗？祷告你会相信圣经里的警戒与祝福，并且相信神对你是良善的。
