Letters From A Loving Prophet
Sermon
Sermons on the First Readings
Series II, Cycle C
Object:
Jeremiah was the last of the great prophets to minister to the Hebrew people during the days of their political independence. His book is the longest prophetic book in the Hebrew Scripture. Because of the incredibly profound concepts which it contains, and because of the great spiritual advances which Jeremiah charted, he has been called by some the "greatest figure between Moses and Jesus."
In chapter 29, the prophet is writing to the exiles in Babylon. It is a message of hope, a message that contains within it something that had almost been forgotten, that is a message of having a future.
This section of Jeremiah is quite literally a letter of instruction. It is outlining for the captives in Babylon how to move ahead with their lives. The prophet here reminds the people that life cannot come to a halt during troubled times. They are to face the cold, hard fact that they are a people in exile. They are going to be where they are for a long time. They should, therefore, settle down, engage themselves in everyday normal activities that lead to some sense of normalcy. In this chapter, the prophet sheds much light upon his concept of God and religion. It also shows that he is now an impressive and influential person among his people. It is a letter that reveals an amount of raw courage that flies in the face of those who hold the people in bondage. Jeremiah dares to challenge and shatter any illusions and false hopes the exiles may have been told.
These verses, and the ones that follow, disclose that Jeremiah was a man of indomitable faith. He was honest enough to tell the people the cold, hard facts. He was openly pessimistic about the immediate future, but he was optimistic about the longer span of time. He was sure that God had plans for the people and that God would carry those plans to fulfillment.
This chapter also reveals that Jeremiah was a man of penetrating insight. He communicated a truth that the Apostle Paul and, later, New Testament leaders tried so hard to get across and that is that true faith is not dependent upon geographical locality. A person of faith can know God anywhere. That means in captivity in Babylon or in prison in Rome.
This important message also gives us a glimpse of the importance prayer held to the prophet. Jeremiah encourages prayer for the enemy. "... pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare" (29:7b). This is the only place in the Hebrew Scripture where this is done. In a very real way, Jeremiah both personalized and universalized the religion of his people.
It is a message that is just as important in our own time as it was in the year in which it was written. All of us face unpleasant situations in life. All of us come to points of distress in our lives, and at times, feel as if there is no good reason to continue. It is hard, at such times, to remember that we were created to be partners with God and that God will not leave us alone. In fact, when we are held within the grip of trouble, it is then, more than any other time, that we are to rely on God in all areas of our lives. We are to pray diligently and move ahead, doing whatever we can to live life, rather than giving up because of fear and uncertainty.
We know we are to rely on God's Word to us for instruction. Jeremiah knew that he had a job to do in communicating to God's children that they would have a life, which was worth living regardless of current circumstances. One of the most important factors in surviving and even thriving while living in captivity was the ability to rely on and respect God.
In our world today, we still live in captivity. Don't get me wrong, we live in the greatest country on earth. But, we also live in a country where we are surrounded on all sides with contrasting ways to live life. Freedom always has a cost attached to it. We are inundated with values that run contrary to God's Word. We, like the Hebrew people of Jeremiah's time, are faced with an uncertain future. We live in a world where security is no longer assured. Changing times and changing ways of looking at the value of life have caused a rift even between Christian communities. In all conditions of life, it is our wisdom and it is our duty to not throw away the things that have been the anchors of our lives. Jeremiah is telling the Hebrew people to seek the good of the country where they are being held captive. He wants them to know that if they live peacefully, the King of Babylon will protect them. They must, however, demonstrate lives that reflect in goodness and honesty; being patient in allowing God to deliver them in due time.
It is a request and a message that we need to hear today! We too, must live a life of faith, a life that faces the world in which we live with courage and dignity. We, like the people held in captivity, need to see past whatever circumstances seem to be holding us captive.
In many ways, this part of Jeremiah's message reminds me of the prayer that is so much a part of many people's lives that are in turmoil. You have heard this prayer, or you may live with it each day:
God grant me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can,
And wisdom to know the difference.
In some ways, it seems that Jeremiah's message embraces much of what is called the "Serenity Prayer." It is hard for us to accept the things that we cannot change. It was hard for the Hebrew people to whom Jeremiah was writing and it is just as hard for all of us. When we look at our world there are always things that we wish we could change. There are things that we know run counter to our Christian way of life and we would like to be able to do more to change those things whatever they may be.
One of the main themes of Jeremiah is that of individualism. Jeremiah kept himself apart from society, and even refrained from getting married, in order that he might serve God more fully. And, although he kept himself isolated to a certain degree, he engaged the world in telling them what was wrong with the way people and nations were living. He preached that the individual was directly responsible to her or his God. Other prophets had always emphasized the strength of the tribe and that they would be judged by God on their collective witness. They were told over and over that evil or good would come according to the present or past works of the nation as a whole. Jeremiah substituted individual responsibility, holding each person accountable for her or his actions.
The question presents itself, "What can I do, individually, to help myself while helping others in my own journey of faith?" Our lesson tells the people to do the things that all people do regardless of the fact that they are being held against their wishes. Get married, start a family, and be productive and responsible members of society. We are to learn that a majority opinion is not necessarily God's will. Rather, it is God's will that even in captivity we should prosper so that our family and our name will continue to live even after we are gone. There is, within this reading and this historical situation, the question of when God's people should rebel and not get along with their captives. At least, in the context of Jeremiah's letter, the answer is that, in this case, resistance is not the will of God.
Once again, individual choice and how that choice affects the larger group comes into play. Here, the people must act responsibly as individuals, so that they are not punished collectively. God will come when God will come. That is the difficult message for the Hebrew people in Babylon, but it should always be remembered that the people of the northern kingdom, those taken captive by the Assyrians in 722 B.C. did not, for the most part, survive their captivity because of their resistance. Jeremiah instructs the people to wait upon the Lord.
Although Jeremiah is often called the prophet of individualism, that title should not be mistaken for any sense of a loss of community. He was simply voicing a reality that needed to be understood by those in captivity. He reached deep within himself to find the strength and wisdom he needed to continue to be God's prophet. And it was in this same spirit that he tried to communicate the importance of the individual person learning to rely on God, especially when all around, the world seemed to be in ruins. But he never advocated individualism detached from the traditions of the people who were separated from the larger community. Jeremiah knew, as should we all, that we are strongest when we are within a community of the faithful. It is within that family that we individually and collectively find our ability to face the world and know that we are not alone.
How often within our own community of faith do we hear people say that they do not really need church? They run out that worn out idea that they commune best with God in private while walking in the woods, or on the golf course. The only thing that is even slightly accurate about that statement is the fact that people do tend to talk to Jesus more on the golf course than they do in church! But, when we face problems in our lives, both individually, and as a community of faith, we should be reminded of Jeremiah and his message. Like most prophets, he was not universally listened to or agreed with, but that did not change his message. Nor should it change the message of salvation as found in our Savior Jesus Christ. Jesus' life and ministry are a perfect example of individual and communal responsibility. He lived his life in a way for all to see how one should conduct the living of life while sharing that life at the same time.
Getting back to the question of what you or I can do to help yourself and others who find themselves in the middle of life, good or bad, Jeremiah tells us:
• the majority opinion is not necessarily God's will;
• although punishment for sin is severe, there is hope in God's mercy;
• God will not accept empty or insincere worship; and
• serving God does not guarantee earthly security.
My sisters and brothers in Christ, God comes to us in the midst of living. Jeremiah's call by God teaches how intimately God knows us. We know from both the Hebrew and New Testament Scriptures that each of us has been valued by God before anyone else knew we would even exist. God cared for us while we were in our mother's womb. A God that would love us that much, even unto death, is never going to let us go, not ever!
Friends, "Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your son, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare."
Amen.
In chapter 29, the prophet is writing to the exiles in Babylon. It is a message of hope, a message that contains within it something that had almost been forgotten, that is a message of having a future.
This section of Jeremiah is quite literally a letter of instruction. It is outlining for the captives in Babylon how to move ahead with their lives. The prophet here reminds the people that life cannot come to a halt during troubled times. They are to face the cold, hard fact that they are a people in exile. They are going to be where they are for a long time. They should, therefore, settle down, engage themselves in everyday normal activities that lead to some sense of normalcy. In this chapter, the prophet sheds much light upon his concept of God and religion. It also shows that he is now an impressive and influential person among his people. It is a letter that reveals an amount of raw courage that flies in the face of those who hold the people in bondage. Jeremiah dares to challenge and shatter any illusions and false hopes the exiles may have been told.
These verses, and the ones that follow, disclose that Jeremiah was a man of indomitable faith. He was honest enough to tell the people the cold, hard facts. He was openly pessimistic about the immediate future, but he was optimistic about the longer span of time. He was sure that God had plans for the people and that God would carry those plans to fulfillment.
This chapter also reveals that Jeremiah was a man of penetrating insight. He communicated a truth that the Apostle Paul and, later, New Testament leaders tried so hard to get across and that is that true faith is not dependent upon geographical locality. A person of faith can know God anywhere. That means in captivity in Babylon or in prison in Rome.
This important message also gives us a glimpse of the importance prayer held to the prophet. Jeremiah encourages prayer for the enemy. "... pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare" (29:7b). This is the only place in the Hebrew Scripture where this is done. In a very real way, Jeremiah both personalized and universalized the religion of his people.
It is a message that is just as important in our own time as it was in the year in which it was written. All of us face unpleasant situations in life. All of us come to points of distress in our lives, and at times, feel as if there is no good reason to continue. It is hard, at such times, to remember that we were created to be partners with God and that God will not leave us alone. In fact, when we are held within the grip of trouble, it is then, more than any other time, that we are to rely on God in all areas of our lives. We are to pray diligently and move ahead, doing whatever we can to live life, rather than giving up because of fear and uncertainty.
We know we are to rely on God's Word to us for instruction. Jeremiah knew that he had a job to do in communicating to God's children that they would have a life, which was worth living regardless of current circumstances. One of the most important factors in surviving and even thriving while living in captivity was the ability to rely on and respect God.
In our world today, we still live in captivity. Don't get me wrong, we live in the greatest country on earth. But, we also live in a country where we are surrounded on all sides with contrasting ways to live life. Freedom always has a cost attached to it. We are inundated with values that run contrary to God's Word. We, like the Hebrew people of Jeremiah's time, are faced with an uncertain future. We live in a world where security is no longer assured. Changing times and changing ways of looking at the value of life have caused a rift even between Christian communities. In all conditions of life, it is our wisdom and it is our duty to not throw away the things that have been the anchors of our lives. Jeremiah is telling the Hebrew people to seek the good of the country where they are being held captive. He wants them to know that if they live peacefully, the King of Babylon will protect them. They must, however, demonstrate lives that reflect in goodness and honesty; being patient in allowing God to deliver them in due time.
It is a request and a message that we need to hear today! We too, must live a life of faith, a life that faces the world in which we live with courage and dignity. We, like the people held in captivity, need to see past whatever circumstances seem to be holding us captive.
In many ways, this part of Jeremiah's message reminds me of the prayer that is so much a part of many people's lives that are in turmoil. You have heard this prayer, or you may live with it each day:
God grant me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can,
And wisdom to know the difference.
In some ways, it seems that Jeremiah's message embraces much of what is called the "Serenity Prayer." It is hard for us to accept the things that we cannot change. It was hard for the Hebrew people to whom Jeremiah was writing and it is just as hard for all of us. When we look at our world there are always things that we wish we could change. There are things that we know run counter to our Christian way of life and we would like to be able to do more to change those things whatever they may be.
One of the main themes of Jeremiah is that of individualism. Jeremiah kept himself apart from society, and even refrained from getting married, in order that he might serve God more fully. And, although he kept himself isolated to a certain degree, he engaged the world in telling them what was wrong with the way people and nations were living. He preached that the individual was directly responsible to her or his God. Other prophets had always emphasized the strength of the tribe and that they would be judged by God on their collective witness. They were told over and over that evil or good would come according to the present or past works of the nation as a whole. Jeremiah substituted individual responsibility, holding each person accountable for her or his actions.
The question presents itself, "What can I do, individually, to help myself while helping others in my own journey of faith?" Our lesson tells the people to do the things that all people do regardless of the fact that they are being held against their wishes. Get married, start a family, and be productive and responsible members of society. We are to learn that a majority opinion is not necessarily God's will. Rather, it is God's will that even in captivity we should prosper so that our family and our name will continue to live even after we are gone. There is, within this reading and this historical situation, the question of when God's people should rebel and not get along with their captives. At least, in the context of Jeremiah's letter, the answer is that, in this case, resistance is not the will of God.
Once again, individual choice and how that choice affects the larger group comes into play. Here, the people must act responsibly as individuals, so that they are not punished collectively. God will come when God will come. That is the difficult message for the Hebrew people in Babylon, but it should always be remembered that the people of the northern kingdom, those taken captive by the Assyrians in 722 B.C. did not, for the most part, survive their captivity because of their resistance. Jeremiah instructs the people to wait upon the Lord.
Although Jeremiah is often called the prophet of individualism, that title should not be mistaken for any sense of a loss of community. He was simply voicing a reality that needed to be understood by those in captivity. He reached deep within himself to find the strength and wisdom he needed to continue to be God's prophet. And it was in this same spirit that he tried to communicate the importance of the individual person learning to rely on God, especially when all around, the world seemed to be in ruins. But he never advocated individualism detached from the traditions of the people who were separated from the larger community. Jeremiah knew, as should we all, that we are strongest when we are within a community of the faithful. It is within that family that we individually and collectively find our ability to face the world and know that we are not alone.
How often within our own community of faith do we hear people say that they do not really need church? They run out that worn out idea that they commune best with God in private while walking in the woods, or on the golf course. The only thing that is even slightly accurate about that statement is the fact that people do tend to talk to Jesus more on the golf course than they do in church! But, when we face problems in our lives, both individually, and as a community of faith, we should be reminded of Jeremiah and his message. Like most prophets, he was not universally listened to or agreed with, but that did not change his message. Nor should it change the message of salvation as found in our Savior Jesus Christ. Jesus' life and ministry are a perfect example of individual and communal responsibility. He lived his life in a way for all to see how one should conduct the living of life while sharing that life at the same time.
Getting back to the question of what you or I can do to help yourself and others who find themselves in the middle of life, good or bad, Jeremiah tells us:
• the majority opinion is not necessarily God's will;
• although punishment for sin is severe, there is hope in God's mercy;
• God will not accept empty or insincere worship; and
• serving God does not guarantee earthly security.
My sisters and brothers in Christ, God comes to us in the midst of living. Jeremiah's call by God teaches how intimately God knows us. We know from both the Hebrew and New Testament Scriptures that each of us has been valued by God before anyone else knew we would even exist. God cared for us while we were in our mother's womb. A God that would love us that much, even unto death, is never going to let us go, not ever!
Friends, "Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your son, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare."
Amen.
