SCRIPTURE: JEREMIAH 27
JUDAH TO SERVE NEBUCHADNEZZAR (vs. 1-22)
The Lord told the people through Jeremiah the following messages:
- All nations will serve king Nebuchadnezzar and his sons and his grandson until the time for his land comes; then many nations and great kings will subjugate him. (v. 7)
- Any nation or kingdom that will not serve Nebuchadnezzar or bow its neck under his yoke will be punished by the Lord with the sword, famine and plague. (v. 8)
- Do not listen to your prophets, diviners, interpreters of dreams, mediums or sorcerers telling you not to serve the king of Babylon. They are prophesying lies that will remove you far from you lands and I will banish you and you will perish. (v. 9-10)
- Any nation that will bow its neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon and serve him, I will let that nation remain in its own lands to till it and to live there. (v. 11)
- Do not listen to the prophets who say, ‘Very soon now the articles from the Lord’s house will be brought back from Babylon’. (v. 16)
- The things that are left in the house of the Lord and in the palace of the king of Judah and in Jerusalem will be taken to Babylon and will remain there until the day I come for them to bring them back and restore to this place. (v. 21-22)
THOUGHTS:
Jeremiah delivered God’s message three times. First to the ambassadors who had come to form a union (vs. 1-11). Next to king Zedekiah (vs. 12-15) and lastly to the priests and the people. (vs. 16-22(). His message told them not to believe what the false prophets said but submit to king Nebuchadnezzar because that is God’s will. Failure to listen would result in death through sword, famine and plague sent by God.
Sometimes God can use unsaved people to help you do His will. So, be ready to accept God’s guidance even if it comes from unexpected sources.