Jeremiah 16

August 5, 2022

Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.

Reading along with us in Jeremiah? Here’s today’s reading:

Jeremiah 16 (NIV)

Day of Disaster
1 Then the word of the Lord came to me: 2“You must not marry and have sons or daughters in this place.” 3 For this is what the Lord says about the sons and daughters born in this land and about the women who are their mothers and the men who are their fathers: 4“They will die of deadly diseases. They will not be mourned or buried but will be like dung lying on the ground. They will perish by sword and famine, and their dead bodies will become food for the birds and the wild animals.”............Continue Reading

Next: Jeremiah 17
—
Back: Jeremiah 15

This Post Has 4 Comments

  1. God asks Jeremiah not to marry or have children and to refrain from celebrations and mourning. It must have been a difficult way to leave cut off from the normal things happening amongst the people and added to the heaviness I am sure Jeremiah was feeling.
    I notice still in the midst of the destruction and judgement God still offers redemption through it all. A reminder that He will restore His people once the judgment is fulfilled. Amazing to know that He offers that to all of us even today through the work He did at the cross when Jesus died for our sins!

    Reply

  2. Wow, this is heavy.

    One thing I was thinking was how God is so specifically directing Jeremiah’s life. “You shall not take a wife, nor shall you have sons or daughters in this place.” How much of our lives is “undirected” by God? I confess, too much of mine! Of course, it says that “man makes his plans, but the Lord determines his steps.” so I suppose my every step is determined by God! I guess I am saying that I don’t (or haven’t in the past….but I am doing more and more so) ask for His direction in many of my daily decisions.

    It is like a warning though. You and I, do not want those you love to go through what I am about to unleash.

    Thankfully, in the end, He will cause them to know.

    O Lord, my strength and my fortress,
    My refuge in the day of affliction,
    The Gentiles shall come to You
    From the ends of the earth and say,
    “Surely our fathers have inherited lies,
    Worthlessness and unprofitable things.”
    Will a man make gods for himself,
    Which are not gods?

    “Therefore behold, I will this once cause them to know,
    I will cause them to know
    My hand and My might;
    And they shall know that My name is the Lord.”

    Reply

  4. All I could think as I read is how evil the people must have been for God to direct Jeremiah in this way and express the sentiments that He does. How nonexistent hope is to say don’t even get married and have children. Only evil and destruction would await them. I also wondered at what point this would be the right council for our world. And then for God to say don’t even mourn or show sympathy because God is just done with them. God is so patient, loving, forgiving and long suffering, it takes a lot to bring Him to this point. But this also does explain the judgements that will come in the book of revelation. God will come to this point again and have seals opened and trumpets blown and bowls of wrath poured out. And yet here, in the midst of some of the harshest sentiments expressed from God, there is the promise to restore Israel to the land, to bring them back. Because God remains the same, He is still a refuge and strength, a refuge for me to run to in the greatest distress. Hallelujah!

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back To Top