Jeremiah 22 - 25

What would you like to be remembered for when you reach the end of your life? Consider your legacy…share something about your grandparents or great grandparents that you remember…for better or for worse?
(Painful evening on Tuesday night…Thoughts that came…”house in order?” “what kind of pj’s am I wearing? What about those boxes? What about the closets? Etc. We mustn’t wait to departure takes place, but we must think of the reputation, the legacy that we desire to leave and live it out right NOW!
WHAT ARE YOU BUILDING YOUR REPUTATION ON? 3 kings – Josiah, a good one, Jehoahaz, 3 months [hopelessness] and imprisoned, Elakim/Jehoiakim, 11 years, [coveteousness] Jehoiachin, 3 months later, Nebuchadnezzar carried into captivity in Babylon. Zedekiah 11 yrs. – saw destruction by Babylon…blinded and died in foreign land [callousness]. What was the Lord’s complaint against King Jehoiakim…was it his nice spacious house? What was the focus of his eyes and heart?
Jeremiah told about the kings and the downward spiral; yet, he told of HOPE in the coming of the Messiah!
As the king USED people unjustly for his own selfish motive, powerful leaders on all levels of society use their prestige and positions for improperly gaining personal benefits rather than for serving the people. The nation was falling and he was building a house for himself…”me”! Similarly, some employers callously view their workers more in terms of numbers and profits than as fellow human beings made in God’s image. God expects Christian leaders and employers to lead by godly standards, even as He expects Christian citizens to serve and work as unto the Lord.
What about today…leaders who are characterized by extravagance, gross injustice, and oppression? What would the Lord say about that today? Do you think that God gave these Scriptures so we would keep our leaders in line, or so we would keep our own hearts in line?
What you have been building and will continue to build with your life will last far beyond your lifetime. How are you teaching your children or others that come in your sphere of influence?
We displease the Lord when our focus is on our possessions and comfort to the neglect of others and their needs or taking advantage of others. Our reputation as a Christian would be of good works, mercy, justice and compassion. (discussion) “let the dead bury the dead!” Can a lost man do good works, show compassion, etc.? What is the difference between the lost man and a Christian?
What are your good works…”Christ in me…working out through me!”
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO KNOW THE LORD? How would you explain ‘to know the Lord’ to your friend, acquaintance or neighbor?
WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES OF SELF-INDULGENCE? V. 18-19 (desecration of body – shameful burials) What kind of obituary would you like to be written about you? The king would have no one to weep for his death and his burial would be brutally carried out…all through the study of the Word, you will learn that enemies work to bring dishonor (desecration to the dead bodies) of their enemies. Burning was one…study the Word and be informed before you choose something different than a traditional burial.
IS YOUR BEHAVIOR IN LINE? 22:20-21
Lebanon and Bashan were regions to the north of Israel. Abarim was a mountain range to the southeast, across the Dead Sea. The implication is that the people of Judah had gone to these places as to a love, whether for protection or to worship false gods. These allies would provide no protection in the day of the Lord’s judgment. Those “idols that we look to and build with our own hands, hearts, thoughts and priorities” will not help in our times of need!
Are you an effective, attentive, listener to the Lord’s calling and directions in your life?
Would the way you treat the less fortunate reveal that you belong to Christ…reflect badly on the reputation of the Lord? The answer for how we are to treat everyone is found in Phil. “esteem others [and who are these others…the poor, the homeless, the dirty, the ugly, the misbehaving, the nice, etc.] as better than yourself!”
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HOMEWORK: Read chapters 22 – 25 and ask the Lord to give you His message for your life in this present time.
In Chp. 25, Look for v.9-15 disgraceful conduct (Psa. 119:53); v. 16-32 dishonest message…false hope, false authority, false inspiration (dreams, delusions); v.33-40 disrespectful attitude
Jeremiah was asked “what is the sad news?” and his response was, “YOU” v.33
A true prophet: tear down – build up!!! 1:10 and 23:29
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WIERSBE: “The churches of today are more about fun and entertainment, but we forget the tears – James 4:9-10 The church is not taking God’s Word seriously at an hour when the world is in serious trouble.
What kind of prophet are you? Help others to get it right…by your walk, example and by your talk, speak! “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so!”