Lesson 7 for November 14, 2015

““Oh, that my head were waters, and my eyes a fountain of tears, Oh, that my head were waters, and my eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people!”people!” (Jeremiah 9:1)(Jeremiah 9:1)

Why was Jeremiah so sad?Why was Jeremiah so sad?Jeremiah cried because Judah was going to be condemned. The people could avoid that condemnation if they repented from their sins. But Jerusalem didn’t want to listen to his message (Luke 19:41-44).

Which were Judah’s sins?Which were Judah’s sins?

“God is the source of all wisdom. He is infinitely wise and just and good. Apart from Christ, the wisest men that ever lived cannot comprehend Him. They may profess to be wise; they may glory in their attainments; but mere intellectual knowledge, aside from the great truths that center in Christ, is as nothingness. ‘Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom: ... but let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth Me, that I am the Lord which exercise loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth.’ Jeremiah 9:23, 24”

E.G.W. (Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students; section 2; cp. 9; pg. 66)

“Thus says the Lord: ‘Do not learn the way of the Gentiles; do not be dismayed at the signs of heaven, for the Gentiles are dismayed at them. For the customs of the peoples are futile; for one cuts a tree from the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the ax.’” (Jeremiah 10:2-3)

God’s people copied everything the pagan nations did (maybe they’re still doing the same).Is it worth following customs and beliefs that have no purpose instead of trusting and obeying the only true and powerful God?

“Perhaps everyone will listen and turn from his evil way, that I may relent concerning the calamity which I purpose to bring on them because of the evil of their doings.” (Jeremiah 26:3)

“Perhaps everyone will listen and turn from his evil way, that I may relent concerning the calamity which I purpose to bring on them because of the evil of their doings.” (Jeremiah 26:3)

E.G.W. (The Great Controversy, cp. 26, pg. 458)

“Now it happened, when Jeremiah had made an end of speaking all that the Lord had commanded him to speak to all the people, that the priests and the prophets and all the people seized him, saying, ‘You will surely die!’” (Jeremiah 26:8)

Jeremiah reaffirmed his prophecy and called the people to repentance again (v. 12-13).He waited for the judges’ decision with a clear conscience. If they killed him, they would be spilling innocent blood (v. 14-15).We should show the same courage when people accuse us because of our faith.

Jeremiah prophesied the destruction of the temple and Jerusalem, thus he was death threatened. A judgement against the prophet took place (v. 10).

“So the princes and all the people said to the priests and the prophets, ‘This man does not deserve to die. For he has spoken to us in the name of the Lord our God.’” (Jeremiah 26:16)

Some people still had a healthy conscience.They understood that Jeremiah was not responsible for his threatening message, but God was. So he asked the judges to free the prophet.They argued that other prophets prophesied similar things in the past.

Gamaliel defended the apostles like that some centuries later. He concluded this way: “lest you even be found to fight against God.” (Acts 5:39).

“What is the duty of the messenger of truth? Shall he conclude that the truth ought not to be presented, since often its only effect is to arouse men to evade or resist its claims? No; he has no more reason for withholding the testimony of God’s word, because it excites opposition, than had earlier Reformers. The confession of faith made by saints and martyrs was recorded for the benefit of succeeding generations. Those living examples of holiness and steadfast integrity have come down to inspire courage in those who are now called to stand as witnesses for God. They received grace and truth, not for themselves alone, but that, through them, the knowledge of God might enlighten the earth. Has God given light to His servants in this generation? Then they should let it shine forth to the world.”

E.G.W. (The Great Controversy, cp. 26, pg. 459)