4 March 2006, Saturday

Jeremiah 12

Verses 1 - 2

LORD, if I argued my case with you, you would prove to be right. Yet I must question you about matters of justice. Why are the wicked so prosperous? Why do dishonest people succeed?

You planted them and they put down roots. They flourished and produced fruit. They talk as if they're old friends with you, but they couldn't care less about you.

The perennial question: God, if You're holy, how come you let bad people prosper, and let good people suffer?

Another question: how come some people can be so bad, yet speak so good?

Judgement comes.

And yet in the midst of talking about judgement, He still speaks of salvation. God gives many second chances.

Verses 15 – 17

But later, I will have pity on these nations and bring them back to their own lands.

They once taught my people to worship Baal. But if they admit I am the only true God, and if they let my people teach them how to worship me, these nations will also become my people.

However, if they don't listen to me, I will uproot them from their lands and completely destroy them. I, the LORD, have spoken.