Jeremiah 16:1-21
Q.1. Was God kind in not allowing Jeremiah to have a wife and children? Did he console those who were suffering? What explanation was he to give for his conduct? – (Jer.16:1-13)
God had told Adam that it was not good for him to be alone (Gen.2:18). However, there may be times of persecution that make taking a wife and having children, less than desirable (Lk.21:23; 1 Cor.7:26). Such was the case for Jeremiah when God told him – You shall not take a wife for yourself nor have sons or daughters in this place (Jer.16:2). He was told that indescribable suffering would be inflicted on parents and their children (Jer.16:3-4). God specifically told Jeremiah not to console those suffering this fate because – I have withdrawn My peace from this people,” declares the Lord, “My lovingkindness and compassion (Jer.16:5). The Lord went on to explain the terrible judgment that they would endure in his lifetime (Jer.16:6-9). He was to tell the people – 11 … ‘It is because your forefathers have forsaken Me,’ declares the Lord, ‘and have followed other gods and served them and bowed down to them; but Me they have forsaken and have not kept My law. 12 You too have done evil, even more than your forefathers; for behold, you are each one walking according to the stubbornness of his own evil heart, without listening to Me (Jer.16:11-12).
Q.2. Did Israel have a future? What made it unexpected? What treatment would they receive at first? How will it impact the nations? Why will God act this way? – (Jer.16:14-21)
Though the Lord was finished with Jeremiah’s generation, He gave hope for Israel’s future with a staggering prophecy – 14 “Therefore behold, days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when it will no longer be said, ‘As the Lord lives, who brought up the sons of Israel out of the land of Egypt,’ 15 but, ‘As the Lord lives, who brought up the sons of Israel from the land of the north and from all the countries where He had banished them.’ For I will restore them to their own land which I gave to their fathers (Jer.16:14-15). This promise began its fulfilment in May,1948 when Israel was reborn as a nation. However, their restoration would be painful in the extreme – “Behold, I am going to send for many fishermen,” declares the Lord, “and they will fish for them; and afterwards I will send for many hunters, and they will hunt them from every mountain and every hill and from the clefts of the rocks” (Jer.16:16). In this way – I will first doubly repay their iniquity and their sin because they have polluted My land; they have filled My inheritance with the carcasses of their detestable idols and with their abominations (Jer.16:18). Jeremiah then foretold the growth of the church from among the Gentiles – O Lord, my strength and my stronghold, and my refuge in the day of distress, to You the nations will come from the ends of the earth … (Jer.16:19). God’s treatment of His people would serve as a warning (Jer.16:19-20). Ultimately, the chastisement would be redemptive for Israel and – behold, I am going to make them know — This time I will make them know My power and My might; And they shall know that My name is the Lord (Jer.16:21).