Jeremiah Chapters 44-46

44:7 and 9 - God continues the conversation started n the previous chapter by speaking through Jeremiah to the Jews who fled Judah for Egypt despite God's instructions to stay. God questions them, "Why have you left even though I told you to stay? Have you already forgotten that it was your lack of listening that brought destruction upon Judah?" They are stubborn people that refuse to learn from the past...that sounds a little familiar!

44:16-17 - After being warned again and again the people defiantly refuse to listen. The women boldly say to Jeremiah's face that they will worship whoever they want to worship...and where are the husbands? Silent. Refusing to take up their role as spiritual leaders in their families. All the people do not understand that it was their idolatrous sin that got them into the terrible position they find themselves in the first place. They want to blame God. They want to blame Jeremiah. They want to blame the lack of sacrifices they have made to false God's. When what they really need to do is come to grips with their own guilt and repent.

45:5 - A bleak future gets prophesied over Baruch who is Jeremiah's scribe. Jeremiah tells Baruch not to set his sights on the things of this world or worldly success, because everything they know will be destroyed by God due to the idolatry of the Israelites. Jeremiah and Baruch have a ministry of repentance that God has called them to, but it will not end successfully...they will be rejected and abused for doing the will of God. But God promises that Baruch will be given his life in the end. The Bible never tells us that following God's will is easy! And I have to say, there is a beautiful simplicity in which Baruch will be able to function. He will have nothing, so he cannot be obsessed with the meaningless of this world, and he will not be successful so he will not have to deal with pride issues - all that is left for Baruch is utter reliance on God.

46:11 - The Egyptians had a very advanced culture with many medical breakthroughs in the ancient world, but they had nothing to bring healing to the soul. In fact, they culture was absolutely corrupt and did nothing but putrefy people's souls. They may have been healthy on the outside, but they were twisted and sick on the inside. Sounds a lot like the US to me.

46:28 - There is always a bit of hope thrown in at the end of violent prophecies about the future. God uses vile nations as a tool for judgment against the sins of the Israelites to discipline them, but in the end those nations will be destroyed and a remnant in Israel will always remain. God is faithful to His promises and the Jewish people are His chosen priest nation.