Daily Devotions
Jeremiah
"Now I will also speak judgment against them."
Text: Jeremiah 4:12
A FURTHER WORD OF WARNING
The warning of the Lord to Israel was written down in the Scriptures (Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 28). Further warnings were given by many prophets. Both Israel and Judah chose to turn a deaf ear to the Lord. There was only one last thing to do. To bring about the forewarned judgment.
“At that time it will be said
To this people and to Jerusalem,
‘A dry wind of the desolate heights blows in the wilderness
Toward the daughter of My people—
Not to fan or to cleanse—
A wind too strong for these will come for Me;
Now I will also speak judgment against them.'”
Jeremiah 4:11-12
1. “At that time it will be said to this people and to Jerusalem”
a) The recipients of this word were identified.
b) They were:
i) “This people”
ii) “Jerusalem”
2. “A dry wind of the desolate heights blows in the wilderness toward the daughter of My people— not to fan or to cleanse—”
a) The wind in general:
i) The wind was often welcome.
ii) It can bring a sense of cooling.
iii) It can bring rain clouds.
b) “A dry wind of the desolate heights”
i) This was a dry wind of the desolate heights.
ii) This wind does not bring moisture; it dries everything in its path.
c) “Blows in the wilderness toward the daughter of My people—”
i) The wilderness is already very dry.
ii) The dry wind would make things worse.
iii) This could lead to a severe heat wave.
iv) The direction of the wind was to Judah here still called affectionately, “The daughter of My people”.
v) No one would be spared, not even “the daughter”.
3. “A wind too strong for these will come for Me”
a) This will be a dry wind.
b) It will also be a strong wind.
4. The phrase “for Me”
a) The wind was from God.
b) It would also be “a servant” for God.
i) It would be for God’s purpose.
ii) It would be for the purpose to which it was sent.
5. “Now I will also speak judgment against them”
a) God had already spoken:
i) Through His word given.
ii) Through His servants.
iii) Through His provision.
iv) Through His protection.
But Israel and Judah forsook God and spurned His word!
b) God will speak again:
i) Through the Babylonians (Lion).
ii) Through the dry wind.
iii) Through the judgment God would mete out.
Israel had failed to listen and was conquered by the Assyrians in 722 BC.
Would Judah listen? The threat of the Babylonians was very real!