TWO GREAT SINS OF JERUSALEM

Jeremiah 2:1-19 / Keywords 2:13

My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.

 

Israel Forsakes God

2:1 The word of the Lord came to me: 2 “Go and proclaim in the hearing of Jerusalem:

“This is what the Lord says:

“‘I remember the devotion of your youth,

    how as a bride you loved me

and followed me through the wilderness,

    through a land not sown.

3 Israel was holy to the Lord,

    the firstfruits of his harvest;

all who devoured her were held guilty,

    and disaster overtook them,’”

declares the Lord.

4 Hear the word of the Lord, you descendants of Jacob,

    all you clans of Israel.

5 This is what the Lord says:

“What fault did your ancestors find in me,

    that they strayed so far from me?

They followed worthless idols

    and became worthless themselves.

6 They did not ask, ‘Where is the Lord,

    who brought us up out of Egypt

and led us through the barren wilderness,

    through a land of deserts and ravines,

a land of drought and utter darkness,

    a land where no one travels and no one lives?’

7 I brought you into a fertile land

    to eat its fruit and rich produce.

But you came and defiled my land

    and made my inheritance detestable.

8 The priests did not ask,

    ‘Where is the Lord?’

Those who deal with the law did not know me;

    the leaders rebelled against me.

The prophets prophesied by Baal,

    following worthless idols.

9 “Therefore I bring charges against you again,”

declares the Lord.

    “And I will bring charges against your children’s children.

10 Cross over to the coasts of Cyprus and look,

    send to Kedar[a] and observe closely;

    see if there has ever been anything like this:

11 Has a nation ever changed its gods?

    (Yet they are not gods at all.)

But my people have exchanged their glorious God

    for worthless idols.

12 Be appalled at this, you heavens,

    and shudder with great horror,”

declares the Lord.

13 “My people have committed two sins:

They have forsaken me,

    the spring of living water,

and have dug their own cisterns,

    broken cisterns that cannot hold water.

14 Is Israel a servant, a slave by birth?

    Why then has he become plunder?

15 Lions have roared;

    they have growled at him.

They have laid waste his land;

    his towns are burned and deserted.

16 Also, the men of Memphis and Tahpanhes

    have cracked your skull.

17 Have you not brought this on yourselves

    by forsaking the Lord your God

    when he led you in the way?

18 Now why go to Egypt

    to drink water from the Nile[b]?

And why go to Assyria

    to drink water from the Euphrates?

19 Your wickedness will punish you;

    your backsliding will rebuke you.

Consider then and realize

    how evil and bitter it is for you

when you forsake the Lord your God

    and have no awe of me,”

declares the Lord, the Lord Almighty.

Footnotes

a. Jeremiah 2:10 In the Syro-Arabian desert

b. Jeremiah 2:18 Hebrew Shihor; that is, a branch of the Nile

1. Jeremiah was called to deliver the message of God’s judgment. The first words that came to Jeremiah showed the sin Jerusalem committed. They did not live up to keeping God’s command. They abandoned God and replaced the position with idols. They foolishly turned away from the streams of living water and built a cistern that could not even hold stale water (13).

 

2. In contrast, God reminds them of the early days in their history when they devoted themselves fully to God. They were disciplined in the wilderness for many years, learning to depend on God only (2,3). They did grumble, yet they always turned to God, knowing his protection and provision for them.

 

3. However, in the Promised Land, where they received all promised blessings and comfort, they rebelled against God and turned toward worthless idols (7,8). That was the reason for the punishment they were facing. Are you looking for your salvation from anything other than our sovereign God? Remember your first love and turn to him.

 

Prayer Father, you brought me out of the power of sin and death. You have been with me when I was too weak to stand alone and raised me, protecting and providing. Please be with me and help me to hold to you in times of blessing or trouble with a humble heart.

One Word Remember God and do not turn away

GOD CALLS JEREMIAH

Jeremiah 1:1-19 / Keywords 1:5

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."

 

1:1 The words of Jeremiah son of Hilkiah, one of the priests at Anathoth in the territory of Benjamin. 2 The word of the Lord came to him in the thirteenth year of the reign of Josiah son of Amon king of Judah, 3 and through the reign of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah, down to the fifth month of the eleventh year of Zedekiah son of Josiah king of Judah, when the people of Jerusalem went into exile.

The Call of Jeremiah

4 The word of the Lord came to me, saying,

5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew[a] you,

    before you were born I set you apart;

    I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

6 “Alas, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.”

7 But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.

9 Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “I have put my words in your mouth. 10 See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.”

11 The word of the Lord came to me: “What do you see, Jeremiah?”

“I see the branch of an almond tree,” I replied.

12 The Lord said to me, “You have seen correctly, for I am watching[b] to see that my word is fulfilled.”

13 The word of the Lord came to me again: “What do you see?”

“I see a pot that is boiling,” I answered. “It is tilting toward us from the north.”

14 The Lord said to me, “From the north disaster will be poured out on all who live in the land. 15 I am about to summon all the peoples of the northern kingdoms,” declares the Lord.

“Their kings will come and set up their thrones

    in the entrance of the gates of Jerusalem;

they will come against all her surrounding walls

    and against all the towns of Judah.

16 I will pronounce my judgments on my people

    because of their wickedness in forsaking me,

in burning incense to other gods

    and in worshiping what their hands have made.

17 “Get yourself ready! Stand up and say to them whatever I command you. Do not be terrified by them, or I will terrify you before them. 18 Today I have made you a fortified city, an iron pillar and a bronze wall to stand against the whole land—against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests and the people of the land. 19 They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.

Footnotes

a. Jeremiah 1:5 Or chose

b. Jeremiah 1:12 The Hebrew for watching sounds like the Hebrew for almond tree.

1. Jeremiah was born in a Levite family of priests. While he was still young (6), God called him to deliver his words to his people. The young man was reluctant to receive the calling. He felt inadequate.

 

2. However, God knew him before his birth, and he would guide him to say the right words. The message he was to bring to God’s people was of punishment and destruction, yet with the hope of a future in the Lord. It was a difficult task for Jeremiah since the people had been proud and stubborn in disobeying God’s will for generations. Nevertheless, God assures him not to be terrified. As God made him like a fortified city, no man will overcome him with their strength, for God will stand with him and rescue him from any men’s fight (19).

 

3. Are you reluctant to answer God’s calling? Do you feel weak in this world which seems too strong and stubborn? Knowing all your weaknesses, our God is calling you to participate in his work. Accept his calling and receive his vision. He will guide you where to go and what to do.

 

Prayer Father, I am weak and sinful. Yet I find comfort in realizing that you know me. You know how I can be useful to you as you have formed me. Help me to have the courage to accept your calling and let you guide my life for your glory.

One Word The Lord’s calling

INVITATIONS OF WISDOM AND FOLLY

Proverbs 9:1-18 / Keywords 9:10

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

 

Invitations of Wisdom and Folly

9:1 Wisdom has built her house;

    she has set up[a] its seven pillars.

2 She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine;

    she has also set her table.

3 She has sent out her servants, and she calls

    from the highest point of the city,

4     “Let all who are simple come to my house!”

To those who have no sense she says,

5     “Come, eat my food

    and drink the wine I have mixed.

6 Leave your simple ways and you will live;

    walk in the way of insight.”

7 Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults;

    whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse.

8 Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you;

    rebuke the wise and they will love you.

9 Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still;

    teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.

10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,

    and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

11 For through wisdom[b] your days will be many,

    and years will be added to your life.

12 If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you;

    if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.

13 Folly is an unruly woman;

    she is simple and knows nothing.

14 She sits at the door of her house,

    on a seat at the highest point of the city,

15 calling out to those who pass by,

    who go straight on their way,

16     “Let all who are simple come to my house!”

To those who have no sense she says,

17     “Stolen water is sweet;

    food eaten in secret is delicious!”

18 But little do they know that the dead are there,

    that her guests are deep in the realm of the dead.

Footnotes

a. Proverbs 9:1 Septuagint, Syriac and Targum; Hebrew has hewn out

b. Proverbs 9:11 Septuagint, Syriac and Targum; Hebrew me

1. In this passage, there are two invitations, one from wisdom (1~6), and another from an unruly woman (13-18). The consequence for each invitation is very different (7~12).

 

2. Wisdom has built her house and set up its seven pillars. She prepared a meal and wine and invited people even who had no sense, “Come, eat my food and drink the wine. And leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of insight.” Wisdom will reward you!

 

3. Folly sits at the door of her house, on a seat at the highest point of the city, calling out to those who pass by, “Let all who are simple come to my house! Stolen water is sweet; food eaten in secret is delicious!” Her guests are deep in the realm of the dead. Folly will kill you!

 

4. Only wisdom will give us life and insight. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (10). Jesus also invites us, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.” (John 7:37-38).

 

Prayer Thank you, Lord, for your invitation even though I am simple. Lord, open my eyes and ears to accept your invitation.

One Word Wisdom will reward you

WISDOM WAS WITH GOD IN THE BEGINNING

Proverbs 8:22-36 / Keywords 8:23

I was appointed from eternity, from the beginning, before the world began.

 

8:22 “The Lord brought me forth as the first of his works,[c][d]

    before his deeds of old;

23 I was formed long ages ago,

    at the very beginning, when the world came to be.

24 When there were no watery depths, I was given birth,

    when there were no springs overflowing with water;

25 before the mountains were settled in place,

    before the hills, I was given birth,

26 before he made the world or its fields

    or any of the dust of the earth.

27 I was there when he set the heavens in place,

    when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep,

28 when he established the clouds above

    and fixed securely the fountains of the deep,

29 when he gave the sea its boundary

    so the waters would not overstep his command,

and when he marked out the foundations of the earth.

30     Then I was constantly[e] at his side.

I was filled with delight day after day,

    rejoicing always in his presence,

31 rejoicing in his whole world

    and delighting in mankind.

32 “Now then, my children, listen to me;

    blessed are those who keep my ways.

33 Listen to my instruction and be wise;

    do not disregard it.

34 Blessed are those who listen to me,

    watching daily at my doors,

    waiting at my doorway.

35 For those who find me find life

    and receive favor from the Lord.

36 But those who fail to find me harm themselves;

    all who hate me love death.”

Footnotes

c. Proverbs 8:22 Or way; or dominion

d. Proverbs 8:22 Or The Lord possessed me at the beginning of his work; or The Lord brought me forth at the beginning of his work

e. Proverbs 8:30 Or was the artisan; or was a little child

1. Wisdom was formed long ago, at the very beginning, when the world came to be (23). Wisdom says she was before the world (24~29). After creation, she was constantly at his side and rejoicing always in his presence, rejoicing in his whole world, and delighting in mankind (30, 31). These verses remind us of the verse “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.” (Ge1:31).

 

2. These verses also remind us of John's gospel; “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.” (Jn 1:1-3).

 

3. This Wisdom, the Creator, will bless us if we keep his ways, if we listen to his instruction, and if we find wisdom (32-35).

 

Prayer Lord, who rejoiced after creation, help me follow your wisdom.

One Word I will follow wisdom

WISDOM’S CALL

Proverbs 8:1-21 / Keywords 8:11

for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.

 

Wisdom’s Call

8:1 Does not wisdom call out?

    Does not understanding raise her voice?

2 At the highest point along the way,

    where the paths meet, she takes her stand;

3 beside the gate leading into the city,

    at the entrance, she cries aloud:

4 “To you, O people, I call out;

    I raise my voice to all mankind.

5 You who are simple, gain prudence;

    you who are foolish, set your hearts on it.[a]

6 Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say;

    I open my lips to speak what is right.

7 My mouth speaks what is true,

    for my lips detest wickedness.

8 All the words of my mouth are just;

    none of them is crooked or perverse.

9 To the discerning all of them are right;

    they are upright to those who have found knowledge.

10 Choose my instruction instead of silver,

    knowledge rather than choice gold,

11 for wisdom is more precious than rubies,

    and nothing you desire can compare with her.

12 “I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence;

    I possess knowledge and discretion.

13 To fear the Lord is to hate evil;

    I hate pride and arrogance,

    evil behavior and perverse speech.

14 Counsel and sound judgment are mine;

    I have insight, I have power.

15 By me kings reign

    and rulers issue decrees that are just;

16 by me princes govern,

    and nobles—all who rule on earth.[b]

17 I love those who love me,

    and those who seek me find me.

18 With me are riches and honor,

    enduring wealth and prosperity.

19 My fruit is better than fine gold;

    what I yield surpasses choice silver.

20 I walk in the way of righteousness,

    along the paths of justice,

21 bestowing a rich inheritance on those who love me

    and making their treasuries full.

Footnotes

a. Proverbs 8:5 Septuagint; Hebrew foolish, instruct your minds

b. Proverbs 8:16 Some Hebrew manuscripts and Septuagint; other Hebrew manuscripts all righteous rulers

1. At the highest point along the way, where the paths meet, wisdom takes her stand; beside the gate leading into the city, at the entrance, she cries aloud: “To you, O people, I call out; I raise my voice to all mankind. You who are simple, gain prudence; you who are foolish, set your hearts on it.” (4,5). Wisdom is calling out to us. Are we listening?

 

2. Rubies are rarer and more valuable than diamonds. Wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing we desire can compare with her (11). Whoever seeks wisdom even though he is simple and foolish, finds her (17). By wisdom, kings reign. By wisdom, princes govern. 3. Wisdom will give us prudence which means the way (5). Wisdom will speak what is true and what is just (7, 8). Finally, wisdom gives us better than fine gold (19) - life. Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life.” (John 14:6).

 

Prayer Thank you, Lord, for wisdom. Please open my eyes and heart to seek wisdom.

One Word Listen to and seek for wisdom

THE APPLE OF YOUR EYE

Proverbs 7:1-27 / Keywords 7:2

Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.

 

Warning Against the Adulterous Woman

7:1 My son, keep my words

    and store up my commands within you.

2 Keep my commands and you will live;

    guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.

3 Bind them on your fingers;

    write them on the tablet of your heart.

4 Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,”

    and to insight, “You are my relative.”

5 They will keep you from the adulterous woman,

    from the wayward woman with her seductive words.

6 At the window of my house

    I looked down through the lattice.

7 I saw among the simple,

    I noticed among the young men,

    a youth who had no sense.

8 He was going down the street near her corner,

    walking along in the direction of her house

9 at twilight, as the day was fading,

    as the dark of night set in.

10 Then out came a woman to meet him,

    dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent.

11 (She is unruly and defiant,

    her feet never stay at home;

12 now in the street, now in the squares,

    at every corner she lurks.)

13 She took hold of him and kissed him

    and with a brazen face she said:

14 “Today I fulfilled my vows,

    and I have food from my fellowship offering at home.

15 So I came out to meet you;

    I looked for you and have found you!

16 I have covered my bed

    with colored linens from Egypt.

17 I have perfumed my bed

    with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon.

18 Come, let’s drink deeply of love till morning;

    let’s enjoy ourselves with love!

19 My husband is not at home;

    he has gone on a long journey.

20 He took his purse filled with money

    and will not be home till full moon.”

21 With persuasive words she led him astray;

    she seduced him with her smooth talk.

22 All at once he followed her

    like an ox going to the slaughter,

like a deer[a] stepping into a noose[b]

23     till an arrow pierces his liver,

like a bird darting into a snare,

    little knowing it will cost him his life.

24 Now then, my sons, listen to me;

    pay attention to what I say.

25 Do not let your heart turn to her ways

    or stray into her paths.

26 Many are the victims she has brought down;

    her slain are a mighty throng.

27 Her house is a highway to the grave,

    leading down to the chambers of death.

Footnotes

a. Proverbs 7:22 Syriac (see also Septuagint); Hebrew fool

b. Proverbs 7:22 The meaning of the Hebrew for this line is uncertain.

1. This proverb is another strong warning against adultery. The best way to avoid adultery is to treasure God’s commands – not sex and beauty. We need to keep God’s commands and obey them, and to keep God’s words as the apple of our eye. What we seek and desire as the apple of our eye will dictate our actions and the direction of our lives. What is the apple of your eye?

 

2. Verses 6-23 describe a man swooped up in adultery. He is captivated by the adulteress’ smooth talk and goes where he should not go (near her corner, the road to her house) when he should not (twilight, evening, darkness). She runs out to meet him in the street and brazenly kisses him in public. She tells him that he is special. She promises him delicious food (sacrifices) and a romantic rendezvous, and she assures him that their secret will be secure. Using her seductive powers, she leads him into sin. Once he follows her, he is trapped by his own desire. 3. It would be wise to not pay any attention to the seductress in the first place. If a man doesn’t talk to her or listen to her, she doesn’t have a chance. Throughout history, the adulterous woman is like a mighty warrior who has slain hordes of men.

 

Prayer Father, thank you for giving us a clear warning about adultery. Help me to keep your commands as the apple of my eye.

One Word What is the apple of my eye?

KEEP GOD’S COMMANDS IN YOUR HEART

Proverbs 6:12-35 / Keywords 6:21

Bind them upon your heart forever; fasten them around your neck.

 

6:12 A troublemaker and a villain,

    who goes about with a corrupt mouth,

13     who winks maliciously with his eye,

    signals with his feet

    and motions with his fingers,

14     who plots evil with deceit in his heart—

    he always stirs up conflict.

15 Therefore disaster will overtake him in an instant;

    he will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy.

16 There are six things the Lord hates,

    seven that are detestable to him:

17         haughty eyes,

        a lying tongue,

        hands that shed innocent blood,

18         a heart that devises wicked schemes,

        feet that are quick to rush into evil,

19         a false witness who pours out lies

        and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.

Warning Against Adultery

20 My son, keep your father’s command

    and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.

21 Bind them always on your heart;

    fasten them around your neck.

22 When you walk, they will guide you;

    when you sleep, they will watch over you;

    when you awake, they will speak to you.

23 For this command is a lamp,

    this teaching is a light,

and correction and instruction

    are the way to life,

24 keeping you from your neighbor’s wife,

    from the smooth talk of a wayward woman.

25 Do not lust in your heart after her beauty

    or let her captivate you with her eyes.

26 For a prostitute can be had for a loaf of bread,

    but another man’s wife preys on your very life.

27 Can a man scoop fire into his lap

    without his clothes being burned?

28 Can a man walk on hot coals

    without his feet being scorched?

29 So is he who sleeps with another man’s wife;

    no one who touches her will go unpunished.

30 People do not despise a thief if he steals

    to satisfy his hunger when he is starving.

31 Yet if he is caught, he must pay sevenfold,

    though it costs him all the wealth of his house.

32 But a man who commits adultery has no sense;

    whoever does so destroys himself.

33 Blows and disgrace are his lot,

    and his shame will never be wiped away.

34 For jealousy arouses a husband’s fury,

    and he will show no mercy when he takes revenge.

35 He will not accept any compensation;

    he will refuse a bribe, however great it is.

1. People will always try to deceive and trick you. Beware of sly and adulterous people who tempt you to follow their ways. Rather, remember the wise teachings of our spiritual parents to do what is upright and godly. We should imprint God’s commands on our hearts and follow them as our inner light. We need to meditate on them day and night, and this will guide us and keep us from falling astray. We will open our eyes to see scams and traps around us and avoid them.

 

2. The proverb gives a strong warning especially against adultery. It seems so common. Yet, when people commit adultery, it’s like scooping fire into one’s lap. Reputations are ruined, and the stigma of shame is never removed. Moreover, a jealous spouse will oppose you, punish you, and never forget. Who wants to live in a firepit like this? 3. Passion makes people blind and careless in their choices. It steals their hearts and minds and makes them sick with lust. Those who follow their adulterous desires and break up a family will have to live with this great shame for the rest of their lives as a testament against them. Even years later, David was still remembered for committing adultery with Bathsheba (Mt 1:6).

 

Prayer Father, thank you for your laws protecting me. Help me to imprint your righteous commands on my heart and be on guard against adultery.

One Word Bind God’s laws on your heart