Old Testament reading: Jeremiah 32-33
Today’s reading is a wonderful reminder that even God’s faithful men need to be encouraged from time to time. In Jeremiah 32, God instructs the prophet to purchase his cousin’s field in Anathoth (vv 6-15). Jeremiah is obedient, but questions the Lord why he should buy a field when the land is facing utter destruction (vv 16-25). God reminds Jeremiah of the hope of restoration at the end of the Babylonian captivity. Jeremiah bought property that he would never possess, but in so doing he gave a testimony of faith to his countrymen while also making provision for his descendants who would return from captivity some seventy years later. Jeremiah 34:14-18 contains the familiar language of chapter 23:5-8 and the righteous Branch of David and the new name of Jerusalem, “THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.” Remember, this book is not arranged chronologically. As best I can tell, these two texts, though separated by ten chapters and a variety of themes, appear to be in the same time frame. The context of Jeremiah 23 is the outset of Nebuchadnezzar’s campaign against Jerusalem (cf 21:1-2) and today’s reading is in the context of the days immediately preceding Jerusalem’s destruction, being in the tenth year of Zedekiah’s eleven year reign (32:1-2).
New Testament reading: Luke 6-7
Even great men need encouragement. Such was the case with John the Baptizer in Luke 7. Wrongly imprisoned for declaring the truth regarding marriage to Herod, John needed some form of affirmation that what he was truly suffering for righteousness’ sake. I love how the text reads when Jesus is questioned by John’s disciples. Rather than respond verbally, Jesus immediately performs numerous miracles before their very eyes. After (re)establishing Himself as the One whom John had identified as “the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world,” Jesus returns them to John with this statement, “Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard.” Finally, rather than be critical of John for his lack of faith or his need for encouragement, Jesus declares to all present the greatness of this man John. Jesus announced him as a prophet, more than prophet, the fulfillment of Isaiah 40:3, and the greatest man ever born among women.
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