The storm clouds are gathering. Sorry about the cliche, but it’s true.
Obedience of the Recabites
Jeremiah 35:1-11
The Jews’ disobedience
Jeremiah 35:12-19
Jerusalem’s 20 year siege begins. 606BC
The wine cup of wrath
Jeremiah 25:15-38
Nebuchadnezzar besieges Jerusalem
Daniel 1:1
Some Israelites deported
Daniel 1:2-3
Prophecy concerning Israel’s captivity
Jeremiah 25:1-11
Prophecies to be written
Jeremiah 36:1-8
God’s promise to Baruch
Jeremiah 45:1-5
There are faithful people in Jerusalem - the Recabite clan have kept a command for generations, and Jeremiah uses them to shame the rest of the population. They refused wine because of their vow, but God id preparing a cup that that the people will be forced to drink - the bitter cup of his anger.
This idea resurfaces of course in the New Testament, when Jesus consents to drink the Cup. The idea of God’s Wrath is an uncomfortable one for us modern believers, but it’s a frequent refrain in the Old Testament. The. question is, is God justified in being angry with people? We say no - they’re only human. But then, there’s the Recabites, who’ve been faithful. So people can do it. Perhaps we’re too keen to make excuses for ourselves these days.
Anyway - back to the story - Nebuchadnezzar has come to power, and is described in astonishing words as “my servant.” (Jeremiah 25:8) The book of Daniel will tell us about God’s remarkable relationship with this foreign emperor. God revealed his glory to this powerful man in an amazing way. But that doesn’t stop him being Israel’s nemesis.
Jeremiah, meanwhile, resorts to writing his prophecies down - he is banned from the Temple so he can no longer preach. His servant Baruch is entrusted with the task of conveying Jeremiah’s words.
Obedience of the Recabites
Jeremiah 35:1-11
The Jews’ disobedience
Jeremiah 35:12-19
Jerusalem’s 20 year siege begins. 606BC
The wine cup of wrath
Jeremiah 25:15-38
Nebuchadnezzar besieges Jerusalem
Daniel 1:1
Some Israelites deported
Daniel 1:2-3
Prophecy concerning Israel’s captivity
Jeremiah 25:1-11
Prophecies to be written
Jeremiah 36:1-8
God’s promise to Baruch
Jeremiah 45:1-5
There are faithful people in Jerusalem - the Recabite clan have kept a command for generations, and Jeremiah uses them to shame the rest of the population. They refused wine because of their vow, but God id preparing a cup that that the people will be forced to drink - the bitter cup of his anger.
This idea resurfaces of course in the New Testament, when Jesus consents to drink the Cup. The idea of God’s Wrath is an uncomfortable one for us modern believers, but it’s a frequent refrain in the Old Testament. The. question is, is God justified in being angry with people? We say no - they’re only human. But then, there’s the Recabites, who’ve been faithful. So people can do it. Perhaps we’re too keen to make excuses for ourselves these days.
Anyway - back to the story - Nebuchadnezzar has come to power, and is described in astonishing words as “my servant.” (Jeremiah 25:8) The book of Daniel will tell us about God’s remarkable relationship with this foreign emperor. God revealed his glory to this powerful man in an amazing way. But that doesn’t stop him being Israel’s nemesis.
Jeremiah, meanwhile, resorts to writing his prophecies down - he is banned from the Temple so he can no longer preach. His servant Baruch is entrusted with the task of conveying Jeremiah’s words.
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