Daily Devotions
Jeremiah
"Do not enter the house of mourning"
Text: Jeremiah 16:5
MINISTRIES OF JEREMIAH REDEFINED
The ministries of Jeremiah were redefined by the Lord in view of impending war. Two regular ministries were highlighted:
“For thus says the LORD:
‘Do not enter the house of mourning,
nor go to lament or bemoan them;
for I have taken away My peace from this people,’ says the LORD,
‘lovingkindness and mercies.
Both the great and the small shall die in this land.
They shall not be buried; neither shall men lament for them,
cut themselves, nor make themselves bald for them.
Nor shall men break bread in mourning for them,
to comfort them for the dead;
nor shall men give them the cup of consolation
to drink for their father or their mother.
Also you shall not go into the house of feasting
to sit with them, to eat and drink.'”
Jeremiah 16:5-8
1. Ministry to the Bereaved
a) One of the purposes of the Ministry to the Bereaved was to bring a word of peace and comfort.
b) But Jeremiah cannot go to the houses of mourning for ministry, when God had withdrawn the following:
i) Peace
ii) Lovingkindness
iii) Mercies (Jeremiah 16:5)
2. Burial services (traditional/ cultural)
a) Burial
b) Lament
c) Food to all who mourn (Jeremiah 16:6-7).
These were normal things. But Jeremiah was forbidden to participate in them!
3. Idolatrous practices
a) Cutting themselves.
b) Shaving to become bald for the dead (Jeremiah 16:6).
These were not approved practices! But many in Israel/ Judah had these practices!
4. Celebrations
a) Jeremiah was also forbidden to go for celebrations:
i) Birthdays
ii) Weddings
b) He was not to be associated with the children of Judah.
i) They had remained stubborn.
ii) They had continued with idolatry.
His presence with them may be misread as approval for their lifestyles!