Pray:
Lord, we can depend on all that You have said. Thank You that, for those who trust in You, the last word is a word of hope.
Read:
Jeremiah 52:1-34
Reflect:
How did the nation position itself for the judgment it received?
This chapter is virtually the same as the account in chapter 39 and is the period at the end of Jeremiah's prophetic sentence. All that he said came true. Kings Zedekiah and Jehoiachin (who had a three-month reign before his Uncle Zedekiah) had much to answer for in rebelling against God (1-3). The punishment they suffered as a result was terrible (10,11,31). The last thing Zedekiah saw before he was made blind was his sons being slaughtered. Jehoiachin spent 37 years in prison (31).
Nebuchadnezzar lost patience with this outpost of his empire and razed Jerusalem to the ground (12-14), including the temple. All hope was lost. All visible signs of God's calling and blessing were removed from his people.
But although their city now lay in dust, God's purposes for his people would not be thwarted and he would make a way for a remnant to return. Through David's line, one greater than the temple would be born and would visit the rebuilt city of Jerusalem 600 years later. Jesus would make a way for God's presence to dwell, not in a sanctified building, but in reborn hearts.
Apply:
God is accustomed to bringing triumph from tragedy. The ultimate symbol of this is the cross. Trust him for this.
Pray:
Gracious Lord, I trust in You. I want to know You more each day and accurately reflect Your heart.
