If we want to receive God’s blessing in this life will involve our obedience to His Word and His ways. Jeremiah touches on this in Jeremiah 13. Verse 12 reads…
“Say to them: ‘This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: Every wineskin should be filled with wine.’ And if they say to you, ‘Don’t we know that every wineskin should be filled with wine?’
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The phrase, “every wineskin should be fill with wine” was a proverbial phrase that meant, “Everything will fulfill its purpose” or “It will all be right in the end.”
When the people of Judah said, “Don’t we know,” they were saying that if God had planned a noble and high purpose for Israel, surely it would be fulfilled. Good times were soon to be upon them, no matter how they lived. They were going to find out from Jeremiah that their waywardness from the Lord was going to cause troubles for them, leading to a losing of the blessing of God. Continuing on in verses 13-14…
then tell them, ‘This is what the Lord says: I am going to fill with drunkenness all who live in this land, including the kings who sit on David’s throne, the priests, the prophets and all those living in Jerusalem. I will smash them one against the other, parents and children alike, declares the Lord. I will allow no pity or mercy or compassion to keep me from destroying them.’”
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Instead of fulfilling their purpose before God in a high and noble way, God’s people rebelled against Him and His purposes. God promised His rebellious people that they would face the destiny of destruction if they continued in their sins. Jeremiah then writes in verse 15…
Hear and pay attention, do not be arrogant, for the Lord has spoken.
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When God speaks, we have the choice to respond in pride or humility. We have the choice to reject or resist the Word of the Lord, or to humble ourselves before His authority. We are to listen and pay attention to His leadings and not let arrogance get in the way. Verse 16 states…
Give glory to the Lord your God before he brings the darkness, before your feet stumble on the darkening hills. You hope for light, but he will turn it to utter darkness and change it to deep gloom.
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He was saying that the judgment against the people was not far away, a judgment that would lead to utter darkness. Then, in verse 17…
If you do not listen, I will weep in secret because of your pride; my eyes will weep bitterly, overflowing with tears, because the Lord’s flock will be taken captive.
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Jeremiah let the people know how he would respond if they would not listen to God and turn away from their pride. He would weep bitterly for those who would be taken captive because of their disobedience.
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Are there areas in our lives where we don’t think we need to change since God has forgiven us through faith? Yes, we are saved by grace, through faith, so that no man can boast. However, our salvation does not give us a license to do whatever we want without repercussions.
If we choose to live contrary to God’s ways, it will have a negative effect on our relationship with God and the blessings He wants to bestow upon us. Let us strive to be the people God wants us to be and receive the blessings He desires to give to His children.
Just a Thought…
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