Today's reading: Jeremiah 47-49
For thus says the Lord: If those who do not deserve to drink the cup still have to drink it, shall you be the one to go unpunished? You shall not go unpunished; you must drink it. Jeremiah 49: 12 NRSV
Jeremiah is full of bad news for the Hebrews. Now Jeremiah has bad news for all the surrounding countries. Even though they don't deserve it, they too will be punished.
Did you ever feel as though you were being punished, even though you didn't deserve it? Have you ever felt like you received punishment although you never did anything bad? I am sure those of you with siblings can probably relate to this! I know many working folks who have experienced these kinds of situations. Sometimes stay-at-home spouses have felt they were being punished through their partner's work situations (ever have to move because of your spouse's job?).
The people of Edom, even though all they did was be Judah's neighbor, are being punished. This passage does not make it clear why. Perhaps they were just too near. There could have been a danger of gloating or of taking over the land. Jeremiah prophecies and warns these people of the impending punishment.
Perhaps they could have done without the warning.
God, there are times in life when we feel like we are being punished even though it seems we have done nothing wrong. Help us through these times. May we never lose hope or faith in you. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Copyright 2010 Amelia G. Sims
It is common to ask God "why?" when things are going badly. We forget that we live in a cursed world and we are confined here in these mortal bodies. We are vulnerable to whatever this world slings our way. God never promised he would spare us troubles, in fact He said in this world we will have tribulations. The good news is He will always go through it with us. Praise Him! Thanks for the post and God bless. Bobbi
ReplyDeleteAmen! Thanks, Bobbi!
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