Scripture Reading : Jeremiah 37
Theme : Resolute Jeremiah and Weak Zedekiah
Chapters 37–39 are prophecies during the reign of Zedekiah. They deal with events and messages during the siege and capture of Jerusalem. After the exile of Coniah, Zedekiah begins to believe that Jeremiah is a true prophet and other prophets are liars. That is why he wants to hear from Jeremiah. But he still does not want to obey the Lord, he was just hoping God would change His mind without the people repenting. After the Babylonians temporarily lifted the siege of Jerusalem, Jeremiah decides to return to his home town in order to settle some matters. But he is maliciously and wrongly charged with the intent to desert to the Babylonians. Jeremiah is beaten and locked up in a dungeon. Zedekiah is so afraid of his officials and others that he had to secretly meet with Jeremiah. He knows Jeremiah is a true prophet, but still he is too weak to do the right thing by obeying God. However, Jeremiah, because of his faith, was faithful to God and proclaim His words humbly and confidently. He humbly pleads with Zedekiah to not send him back to the dungeon. Zedekiah grants his request. Zedekiah is like Pilate, who knew the truth about Jesus but was too afraid to believe in Him. This led Pilate to eternal death.
Praying the Scripture
- Jeremiah is an example of how God faithfully preserves His servants even in times of trouble. God promised to save Jeremiah physically and He faithfully fulfilled His promise to Jeremiah. God will always fulfill His promise to His people. May you find comfort and peace in God no matter what your situation is, because God is faithful and He promises to give us grace when we trust Him.
- The fear of man is a snare (Prov 29:25). Such paralyzing fear of man in the face of death can be overcome by a greater fear: the fear of God (Matt 10:28). Such a fear of God is the beginning of wisdom (Prov 9:10). When you are weak in faith, remember the fear of the Lord and do not let the fear of man lead you to faithlessness and eternal death like Zedekiah.
经文：耶利米书37
主题：坚决的耶利米与软弱的西底家
第37-39章是关于西底家统治期间的预言，记述的是耶路撒冷被围攻与占领时的事件与相关信息。随着哥尼雅被放逐后，西底家开始相信耶利米是真先知，其余的则是骗子；这也是他为什么想聆听耶利米口中的信息。然而，他仍不愿意顺服神，只是希望神会在百姓不愿悔改的情况下改变原有的审判。就在巴比伦暂停对耶路撒冷的围攻时，耶利米为了处理一些事情决定回到自己的家乡。可是，他却被误解，因投降敵人之嫌而被拘禁。耶利米在牢房里被锁，也被打。由于西底家害怕自己手下的首领与臣仆，他必须私下与耶利米见面。西底家晓得耶利米是真先知，但他过于懦弱，不愿顺服神，行正确的事。然而，因着耶利米对神的信心，他始终对神忠心，并谦卑地、自信地宣告神的话。他恳求西底家不要让他回到地牢里，西底家也应允了。西底家与彼拉多一样；他们都明白有关耶稣的真相，却因胆怯而不信靠祂。由此，彼拉多面对永恒的死亡。
用经文祷告
- 即使在患难中，神必信实地保守祂的仆人，而耶利米就是一个实例。神应许拯救耶利米的性命，因此祂必成履行这份承诺。神也必然成就祂对百姓的诺言。无论你的境况如何，但愿你能在神里面找到安慰和平安，因为神是信实的。我们若信靠祂，祂必赐予恩典。
- 惧怕人的，陷入网罗（箴29:25）。人在面临死亡时总有巨大的恐慌，但我们若有敬畏神的心，便能胜过这样的恐惧了（太10:28）。敬畏神是智慧的开端（箴9:10）。当你信心软弱时，谨记要敬畏神，不要效法西底家，因惧怕人而不信神，终而陷入永恒的死亡里。
