Pointed Text: Devotion 6

 

Jeremiah 39: 11-12 

 

King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon gave command concerning Jeremiah through Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, saying, ‘Take him look after him well and do him no harm, but deal with him as he may ask you.’   ----Mary’s pick

 

The prophet Jeremiah was prophet in the last years of the independent political entity of Judah. That puts Jeremiah’s 40 years as prophet around 600BCE. Today’s pointed text occurs in the aftermath of the siege of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Temple by the Babylonians (586BCE).

 

·         What do you know about the prophet Jeremiah?

·         What would it be like to be a prophet for 40 years? Could you speak truth to power for that long (with no control of whether the powers that be acted on your words)?

 

The Babylonian officials and King Nebuchadnezzar entered Jerusalem and gathered at the middle gate. King Zedekiah of Judah and his soldiers saw this and fled from the city. That action proved fatal as they were chased, captured, tortured, and killed. The rest of the people in Jerusalem were exiled and went to Babylon. There were a couple of exceptions, Jeremiah, and according to verse 10:

…the guard left in the land of Judah some of the poor people who owned nothing, and gave them vineyards and fields at the same time.

 

·         Does the action of Nebuchadnezzar sound compassionate towards the poor and the prophet?

·         Do you think Nebuchadnezzar did so from an ethical or moral stance? A belief in the power of the God of Israel and an understanding of covenant?

 

There are occasions in the biblical record that illustrate foreign powers practicing covenant living in contrast to the kings and authorities of Israel or Judah who are abusing the covenant, enslaving the poor, becoming rich, forgetting God and kindom living. The enemies are portrayed with purer hearts.

 

·         In our world is Christian behaviour and living paling in comparison to the heart and action of other organizations or NGOs?

·         Is the church living in relationship with God, with all people, and creation?

·         Is the church – are we in our daily lives- offering compassion and care?

 

 

In the last chapters of the book, editors have ensured that Jeremiah is remembered as a prophet who had hope that the land of Judah would once again be a place for the people long after the Babylonian conquest. The people (from both Judah and Israel) would once again covenant with God and each other. Jeremiah believed in the restoration of land and relationship.

 

·         Do you have hope in a future filled with reconciliation, restoration, and relationship?

 

 

 

At the beginning of the week, I will post a devotion on a pointed text from scripture. I will include commentary and questions for reflection. Answers and other questions and comments can be sent to me at halifaxlutherchurch@gmail.com ,put in the comment section of this blog, or on FB where the link to this devotion was shared. Fridays I will share the messages (conversation) received via the church email list.