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Chuck Smith :: Sermon Notes for Jeremiah 12:1-7

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Intro: Josiah has been killed at Megiddo. Jehoahaz took throne for three months. Was evil - defeated by Pharaoh, who put Jehoiakim, Josiah's son on the throne. Things are going to get tougher as nation slides to its destruction. Jeremiah's life threatened by men of Anathoth.
I. JEREMIAH QUESTIONS GOD - "Why do the ungodly prosper. Why are wicked people so happy?"
A. These questions have always troubled the righteous.
1. Book of Job.
2. Ps. 73 Asaph.
3. To Job no answer - only a revelation of the wisdom and power of God.
4. Asaph found his answer in the sanctuary of God, and a broadened perspective.
B. The ungodly seemed to be planted in power by God.
1. Typical politicians - they referred to God in their speeches, but knew nothing of real submission to Him.
C. Yet here was Jeremiah - because he was obedient to God, his life was being threatened.
II. GOD'S ANSWER TO JEREMIAH - "If you have run..."
A. Notice difficulty of translation of latter part by italics.
1. Maybe solved by a word found in Septuagint - "If in the land of peace you were not secure, how will you handle..."
2. Some have suggested peace be translated level. Idea is then - "If you have tired running on level ground, how will you run through the marshes?"
B. However the translation, God is saying - "you haven't seen anything yet."
1. Things are going to get worse for Jeremiah.
2. His own brothers will plot his death.
C. In God's answer, there was a recognition of Jeremiah's previous service.
1. He had run with the footmen.
a. Even though he wearied, he was still in there.
D. In God's answer was the key for the future.
1. How will you run with horses?
a. How did you run with the footmen?
b. God was there and He helped you, and even though you wearied, He saw you through.
c. The God who helped you run with the footmen will also help you run with the horses.
d. The God who sustained you in the relative peaceful reign of Josiah will be with you to see you through the turbulent reigns to come.
2. God's provision and power for the past is an assurance of His provision for future.
3. God never puts you into the race with horses until He has trained you with the runners.
4. The proverb, "God tempers the wind for the shorn lamb" - is not true.
a. God gives the lamb a coat of wool to protect it from the cold wind.
5. God is working in us to prepare us for the future.
6. I never come to a place or experience but that God has not beforehand prepared me for it.
7. "You are His workmanship..."
Sermon Notes for Jeremiah 12:1, 5 ← Prior Section
Sermon Notes for Jeremiah 18 Next Section →
Sermon Notes for Isaiah 1:18 ← Prior Book
Sermon Notes for Lamentations 3:21 Next Book →
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