DAY 273- BIG PICTURE IN A YEAR - THE EXILE
Reading: Jeremiah 37 and 38
Jeremiah’s words fell on deaf ears. The king and the people were more inclined to listen to the false, self-appointed "prophets," who misled them by their predictions of glorious days ahead. These false prophets made them believe that the rise of Babylon's power was only temporary, and that in a couple of years it would break down.
King Zedekiah concealed his hopes and intentions so well that Nebuchadnezzar never suspected him of any disloyalty. In the fourth year of Zedekiah’s reign, Nebuchadnezzar elevated him to the highest rank among his vassals, placing him at the head of five neighboring kings - Edom, Moab, Ammon, Tyre and Sidon. This new development raised Zedekiah's hopes to form an alliance against the mighty Babylonian king.
However, Jeremiah had received a prophetic message from God. He was instructed by God to prepare wooden bars with reins - like yokes used to harness a pair of oxen, and to place one on his neck, while handing the others over to the royal messengers to take to their masters. These yokes, and the Divine message that went with them, were to impress upon the five kings as well as Zedekiah, that it was God, the Creator and Master of the world, who decreed their submission to the king of Babylon until such time as it pleased God, and that it would be useless to go against God's will.
For his troubles, Jeremiah was beaten and placed in stocks, an instrument of torture. It does not always go well with those who bring the Word of the Lord to a fearful and self-indulgent people.
Prayer
Lord, I sincerely want to hear Your Word when You try to speak to me. Spare me from the curse of spiritual deafness.
FOR THE FAMILY
Continue watching this video over the next few days with the family