Studying God’s Word ping
I’ve been reading through Jeremiah recently and while I’ve heard what a depressing book it is and how he’s the weeping prophet and all, I never heard anyone say how much this book really reveals the heart of God.
Looking beyond all the judgment and poor treatment of Jeremiah by the people, the heart of God for people to repent and turn to Him shines through. Jeremiah preached and God warned for at east 28 years.
God does not deal out judgment lightly. He wants to forgive and bless and almost begs people to turn from their sin to avoid it, so He can heal and bless them.
He spared Ninevah for 40 years because they turned and repented at the preaching of Jonah.
The idea that the God of the OT is a God of judgment and condemnation, is just not borne out if you can get past the judgment part.
Thanks for the inspiring words and reminders.
Jesus confirmed both the patience of God and the importance of a humble attitude toward Him when, in Matthew, He told us how to be more like Him. By being ready to forgive brethren 7 times 70 times. Instead of pridefully thinking we are better than God at determining when someone is beyond forgiveness.
“As you seek humility, remember that you won’t obtain it by sitting in a corner wishing for it.”
I agree. And folks should remember as well that when seeking humility and confessing/repenting as you wisely suggest still does not mean He’s going to wave a magic wand and change you into a humble person. He’s more likely to present you with opportunities to practice being humble in your daily life. And the more you pray for it, the more He will give you the wisdom to recognize those opportunities rather than changing you to be subconsciously humble.
Also, I look at Jonah, in a way, as being a warning against saying you want to be humble but not actually trusting His will. God wanted Jonah to preach to Ninevah but Jonah kinda thought he was smarter than God by sacrificing his own life instead of helping Israel’s enemy. Of course, God was a step ahead of Jonah and, after tempering his pride with a few days ride in the belly of a fish (significant to Nivevites), he was delivered to the Nivevites anyway and given the opportunity to practice as he preached.