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Jeremiah 14:7-9 Thoughts on dialogue with God - Day 199

Good morning fellow sojourners,

I like to note the milestones on our journey through the Word.  New books and "big days"  Going from single digits to double digits, double digits to triple digits, and then back down.  100, 200, 300 days.  So be encouraged as we pass the 200 day milestone tomorrow.

Blessings

Jeff

The dialogue between God and Jeremiah.  In v1-6, God speaks about the drought in the land.  Here v7-9, Jeremiah is pleading for the Lord not to leave them.  Then v10-12 are God's response telling Jeremiah not to pray for the people any more.  Sword, famine and pestilence is unavoidable.

To me, this is one of the mysteries of scripture.  Jeremiah clearly hears what God is saying.  Applying "God-breathed" to these statements introduced by "The Lord said" is obvious.  But when Jeremiah pleads, it is inspired pleading.  

Some observations

Jeremiah identifies with the people.  In some ways, there are degrees of guilt.  Committing adultery is worse than lustful thoughts.  Human justice may punish the act but not the thought.  Divine justice punishes both.  Remember Isaiah's "I have unclean lips and dwell among people of unclean lips"  The unsaved person loves the sliding scale.  I am not as bad as that person, I would never commit that sin, etc.  The saved person is very aware that all (including himself) are sinners, equally deserving of God's judgment.

Plea for mercy is based on who God is not on who they are.  Act for your name's sake, You are with us, hope of Israel, called by Your name.

Applications/questions

Do I use biblical words of confession?  When I use "us" and "we", am I identifying with the group or pushing off my personal moral failings?

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