Scripture Reading : Jeremiah 34
Theme : Unfaithful to Slaves
Mistreatment of Slaves (1-16)
Chapters 34–38 are largely occupied with Jeremiah’s experiences during the siege of Jerusalem. They are not in strict chronological order. This chapter reveals the depth of the sins of Jews and God’s mercy to warn them to surrender to the Babylonians. During the siege by Babylonians, they set free their slaves, but when the Babylonians temporarily withdrew from the city (vv. 21-22) they rescinded their promise. This was a very treacherous sin. First of all, they were not supposed to keep Hebrew slaves for more than six years. Second, they violated their own covenant to free the slaves. This is an treacherous sin and reflects badly on God’s character, whom they worshipped. God rules righteousness so they ought to be righteous. Their piety was not true piety, but only panic piety.
Punishment for Unfaithfulness (17-22).
Because of their treachery, God will bring back the Babylonians to siege Jerusalem and kill everyone who violated the covenant to set free the slaves. Since they denied freedom to the captive, God will give them freedom to die by the sword, famine and pestilence. This is exactly what they deserve because when they ratify the covenant, they passed through split calves, which symbolizes that they will die like the split calves if they do not fulfill their covenant.
Praying the Scripture
It is so plain that we are all sinners and need salvation through Jesus. We were all like these unfaithful Jews who broke even our own standard of morality (Tit. 3:3). Even without the Bible, pagans can understand their sins through their conscience (Rom. 2:12). Thank God for saving us. Out of thankfulness we need to agree with God that unfaithfulness is dishonorable and ugly. It needs to be rejected. Pray that out of thankfulness for God’s salvation you will be faithful to fulfill your commitment to God and to others, especially to His people. Unfaithfulness tarnishes God’s faithful reputation.
经文：耶利米书34
主题：与奴隶背约
虐待仆人（1-16）。
第34-38章的内容大部分与耶利米在耶路撒冷被围困的经历有关；其记载并非按照时间顺序排列。这一章揭示了犹太人罪恶之深重，以及神如何藉着告诫他们向巴比伦投降显出祂莫大的怜悯。在被巴比伦围困的期间，他们释放奴隶，但当巴比伦暂时从城中撤退时，他们就反悔了（21-22节）。这是极其奸诈的罪。首先，他们不应该让希伯来奴隶服侍超过六年。其次，他们违背了释放奴隶的约。这是欺骗的罪，从而亵渎了他们所敬拜的神。他们本当效仿神，按公义治理万物。他们的敬虔并是真诚的，只在紧急状况之下暂时表现敬虔罢了。
背约的惩罚（17-22）。
因为犹太人背信弃义，神必使巴比伦再次围困耶路撒冷，并灭尽所有违背此约之民。既然他们违约不释放奴隶，神就罚他们“自由”地死在刀剑、饥荒和瘟疫之下。他们罪有应得，因为他们曾立定盟约，从被劈开两半之牛犊中走过，藉此象征违约者的下场将如那被牺牲的牲畜一样。
用经文祷告
毋容置疑的是，我们都是罪人，并需要耶稣的救恩。我们都如这些不忠实的犹太人一样，连自己的道德规范也违背了（多3:3）。即便没有圣经，异教徒也能因着良知晓得自己的罪（罗2:12）。感谢神拯救我们；为此，我们当以感恩之心与神认同违约是既不光彩又丑陋的事，决不容此。以感谢神救恩的心祷告你必忠心地遵行所定的承诺，不论是对神或对人，尤其是属神的百姓。违约沾污了神信实的名声。
