OT Fire Starters – Day 290: Jeremiah 3-4

READ: Jeremiah 3-4

THINK: How do you feel about people who seem oblivious to God and to the consequences of rejecting Him? What about those who are obviously miserable as a result of their rebellion? Do you feel anger or contempt? Do you feel that they’re getting what they deserve? Or do you sense sorrow and compassion for them? Jeremiah agonized over the people’s rebellion and shared God’s grief over His wayward people, expressing the same sorrow God felt about the coming devastation. As followers of Christ, we should grieve at the thought of people being enslaved to sin and destroyed by Satan’s work. The terrible future that’s in store for those who remain spiritually lost and separated from God should motivate us to reach them with His message of forgiveness and hope before it’s too late.

RESPOND: Why does Jeremiah compare Judah to a prostitute? (See 2:20-30 note and 3:1-5 note.) How did the people’s spiritual unfaithfulness affect their moral behavior? (See 3:1-5 note.) What should Judah have learned from the example of her sister nation Israel (3:6-10)? (See 3:6 note.) What was God’s invitation and promise to Israel, who was captive to Assyria at the time (3:12-15)? (See 3:12 note.) What kind of leaders would God give His people in the future (3:15), and why? (See 3:15 note.) What and when are “those days” that Jeremiah refers to in 3:16? (See 3:16- 19 note.) What does it mean to “circumcise your hearts” (4:4), and how does this happen? (See 4:4 note.) In what way would disaster and destruction come from the north (4:6)? (See 4:6 note.) According to 4:14, where did the people’s evil and wickedness start? What attitudes and emotions did Jeremiah experience over all of this (4:19-21), and what does this reveal about his relationship with God? (See 4:19-22 note.)

PRAY: Ask God to expose and remove any sin from your mind and heart. Give thanks for the example and warning in God’s Word. Ask God to give you a heart that breaks for spiritually lost people.

ACT: Give a call or send a message of personal thanks to some godly leaders and good examples in your life. Show godly compassion to people who are obviously in rebellion against God and His Word. Trust Jesus for an opportunity to talk to one of these individuals about Him.