Reading through Jeremiah on my ‘Read the Bible in a Year’ plan, I find myself in chapter 22 today. As in much of the book, the first few verses document God pleading with the leaders of that day’s church to turn to him – with verse 4 detailing the outcome if they do and verse 5 the outcome if they don’t.
Verse 21 seems significant when God says, concerning Jehoiakim (the king of Judah),
I spoke to you in your prosperity; but you said, “I will not hear”. This has been your manner from your youth, that you obeyed not my voice.
What really hit me, though, are verses 29 & 30:
O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the LORD. Thus saith the LORD, Write this man childless, a man that shall not prosper in his days: for no man of his seed shall prosper, sitting upon the throne of David, and ruling any more in Judah.
How tragic that those to whom God was speaking had ‘covered their ears’, with God, then, prophesying to the ground itself to establish the word of the Lord. I am reminded of the lyrics in a Maranatha Music song:
Give us ears to hear that still, small voice,
And give us lips, forever willing to rejoice.
And may our eyes be lit with wisdom,
May we know the path that’s true,
And we’ll march with hearts courageous after You.
… oh God, have mercy on us.
Read it for yourself. 