It is Important to Never Quit
April 14, 2022
Commentary
This message was given by Jeremiah during the fourth year of King Jehoiakim, the year Nebuchadnezar came to power (v. 1). Jeremiah had been prophesying for 25 years. He had spoken to the people again and again but they had not listened to his warnings to repent (vv. 2-3). God had given them plenty of time to respond, but they had refused. He had also sent other prophets who warned the people to turn from their evil ways and practices (vv. 4-7). The result of disobedience would be 70 years of captivity, not only for Judah but for the surrounding nations. This 70 years was a specified period of time.
As we know from other Scriptures, this was the length of time that Israel had failed to allow the land to enjoy a “Sabbath rest“. God had decreed that every seventh year the land was to lie fallow (Lev. 25:3-5). He stated that if the people would not heed this command He would remove them from the land to enforce this “Sabbath Rest“ (Lev. 26:33-35). Because the people had repeatedly rejected God’s warnings, God would summon the Babylonians (the peoples of the north) (vv. 8-11). Then after the 70 years were fulfilled God would also punish the Babylonians because of the guilt they had incurred (vv. 12-14). I once heard someone say that their favorite Scripture was, “And it came to pass…” When the challenges of life close in on us it is comforting to know that it hasn’t come to stay but that in its time it will pass. Under God’s sovereign program of judgment, Judah was warned many times but finally their day of judgment came.
Application
Imagine preaching the same message for 23 years and continually being rejected. Jeremiah faced this but he did not give up. Lord, help me to never quit no matter how difficult things may seem.
Jeremiah 25:1– 14 (NET)
1 In the fourth year that Jehoiakim son of Josiah was king of Judah, the Lord spoke to Jeremiah concerning all the people of Judah. (That was the same as the first year that Nebuchadnezzar was king of Babylon.) 2 So the prophet Jeremiah spoke to all the people of Judah and to all the people who were living in Jerusalem. 3 “For the last twenty-three years, from the thirteenth year that Josiah son of Amon was ruling in Judah until now, the Lord’s messages have come to me and I have told them to you over and over again. But you would not listen. 4 Over and over again the Lord has sent his servants the prophets to you. But you have not listened or paid attention. 5 He said through them, ‘Each of you must turn from your wicked ways and stop doing the evil things you are doing. If you do, I will allow you to continue to live here in the land that I gave to you and your ancestors as a lasting possession. 6 Do not pay allegiance to other gods and worship and serve them. Do not make me angry by the things that you do. Then I will not cause you any harm.’ 7 So, now the Lord says, ‘You have not listened to me. But you have made me angry by the things that you have done. Thus you have brought harm on yourselves.’
8 “Therefore, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says, ‘You have not listened to what I said. 9 So I, the Lord, affirm that I will send for all the peoples of the north and my servant, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. I will bring them against this land and its inhabitants and all the nations that surround it. I will utterly destroy the land, its inhabitants, and all the surrounding nations and make them everlasting ruins. I will make them objects of horror and hissing scorn. 10 I will put an end to the sounds of joy and gladness and the glad celebration of brides and grooms in these lands. I will put an end to the sound of people grinding meal. I will put an end to lamps shining in their houses. 11 This whole area will become a desolate wasteland. These nations will be subject to the king of Babylon for seventy years.’
12 “‘But when the seventy years are over, I will punish the king of Babylon and his nation for their sins. I will make the land of Babylon an everlasting ruin. I, the Lord, affirm it! 13 I will bring on that land everything that I said I would. I will bring on it everything that is written in this book. I will bring on it everything that Jeremiah has prophesied against all the nations. 14 For many nations and great kings will make slaves of the king of Babylon and his nation too. I will repay them for all they have done.’”