Day 183 Jeremiah 34–36 Ecclesiastes 12

Seems like God gives a lot of warnings. Does that ring true in your life? In Jeremiah 34, God tells Jeremiah to warn King Zedekiah that Jerusalem will fall to Babylon. The people had made a promise to release their Hebrew slaves as the sacred Law required, but later enslaved them again. God is outraged! God takes promises seriously, especially when it is a promise to do what is right.

In Jeremiah 35, God tests the Rechabites to show the contrast between their faithfulness and Judah’s disobedience. He tells Jeremiah to offer wine to them. He already knew the Rechabites would obey their ancestor's command not to drink wine. But by testing them publicly through Jeremiah, God creates a powerful example. Faithfulness leaves a legacy. Disobedience brings regret.

In Jeremiah 36, Jeremiah dictates God’s messages to Baruch, Jeremiah’s faithful assistant and scribe, who writes them on a scroll and reads them to the people and officials. The king hears the scroll but arrogantly cuts and burns it. God tells Jeremiah to write it again. People may try to silence truth, but truth remains.

Ecclesiastes 12, Solomon encourages us to think about God and follow Him while we are growing, before the challenges of old age come. Life goes by fast.