Old Testament reading: Jeremiah 9-10
Today’s reading contains what is perhaps the most well known verse in all of this great book: “O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps” (10:23). “Walk” here is used as it often appears in the New Testament, meaning to live and go through life. Chapter 9 is a continuation of Jeremiah’s mourning over Judah that was begun in Jeremiah 8:18. Jeremiah was mourning over the hurt of his people (8:21) for which there appeared to be no balm or medicine (8:22). Now Jeremiah turns his attention to his own sorrow over Judah’s sins and his desire to remove himself from such a wicked people. Jeremiah 9:3 condemns them as liars and lacking valiance for truth. “They proceed from evil to evil, and they do not know Me, says the Lord.” Isaiah put it this way, “Rebellious children… add sin to sin” (Isa 30:1). Judah could not be satisfied with sin, for no sooner had they brought one sin to a conclusion that they ran to commit another. There is an interesting allusion in Jeremiah 9:17-19, wherein reference is made to the hiring of professional wailers to bewail the sins and punishment of the people. This was a common practice among the Jews, and it continued even into the days of the New Testament (cf Mark 5:38-39).
New Testament reading: Mark 1-2
I need to obey Jesus, even if it doesn’t make sense to me. In Mark 1:40-45 we see an account of Jesus healing a leper, but instructing him not to tell anyone of the deed, only to show himself to the priest and offer a sacrifice for his cleansing according the law of Moses. Instead, the man “went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the matter.” The result was that Jesus could no longer walk freely in the city. Thus, this man’s disobedience caused untold people to miss the opportunity to see and hear Jesus. Perhaps the man thought, “Jesus is just being modest; He doesn’t want to be a braggart, so I will do the bragging for Him.” Even the noblest of motives is no excuse for disobedience. Jesus always knows best! God’s directives and prohibitions are always for our good always (Deut 6:24). Moreover, when I do what God says it also blesses others. Failure to obey is a blight on me and a curse to those around me.
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