Beth Eden Baptist Church

Dr. Craig M. Jenkins, Pastor

Sunday School

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 Practice Justice
Jeremiah 21:8-14
  Lesson 12 May 17, 2020

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Of all in existence, the Lord is the One you want to be on your side. Conversely, of all in existence, the Lord is the one you do not want to be against you. We can remember God's words when the Israelites did not show confidence in Him after first exploring the land of Canaan which God was giving them. He said to them:

"Because your men explored the land for forty days, you must wander in the wilderness for forty years—a year for each day, suffering the consequences of your sins. Then you will discover what it is like to have me for an enemy." Numbers 14:34

Jeremiah told the people of Judah that God had made a decision about them. They would lose to the Babylonians. Therefore, if they wanted to live, they should surrender to them. If they chose instead to fight, they would die. His words from God were:

"Whoever stays in this city will die by the sword, famine or plague. But whoever goes out and surrenders to the Babylonians who are besieging you will live; they will escape with their lives." Jeremiah 21:9 NIV

Jeremiah was preaching to the people what God had conveyed to him as other prophets had done. However, the people did not take him seriously and mocked him (Jeremiah 20:10). In his earlier ministry, he warned them to change their sinful practices. Because they did not change the Lord decided to make a judgment.

In your life who serves the purpose of Jeremiah? The Holy Spirit could fill that role by urging us to stop living a sinful life ... that is if we allow Him to guide us. Studying the Bible can serve as our "Jeremiah" by conveying to us how the Lord wants us to live and the consequences of disobedience. Through their sermons, ministers can serve that role.

An even more relevant question is are we strong enough Christians to counsel others about the correct lifestyle they should live? To put it another way, are we ready to be a "Jeremiah" in the life of someone else—telling them to change their sinful practices before the Lord makes a judgment on them?


Based on First Baptist Church of Chattanooga, TN

Submitted by Donna Reed