Introduction

Jeremiah 16:14–21: The prophet Jeremiah lived during the latter part of the seventh century and the first part of the sixth century B.C. He warned Israel of the catastrophe that was to fall upon the nation because of their idolatry and sin. He lived to see this prophecy come true when Jerusalem fell in 586 B.C. during the reign of the Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar. Along with the destruction of the city and the Temple, many of the people were dragged off to Babylonia. In today’s reading, Jeremiah supernaturally foretells the people’s return from exile and the nation’s restoration, along with the punishment that will precede this return.

Today’s Key Verse: Jeremiah 16:21b GNT

[The LORD said:] “Once and for all I will make the nations know my power and my might; they will know that I am the LORD.”

Read

14 The Lord says, “The time is coming when people will no longer swear by me as the living God who brought the people of Israel out of the land of Egypt. 15 Instead, they will swear by me as the living God who brought the people of Israel out of a northern land and out of all the other countries where I had scattered them. I will bring them back to their own country, to the land that I gave their ancestors. I, the Lord, have spoken.”

16 The Lord says, “I am sending for many fishermen to come and catch these people. Then I will send for many hunters to hunt them down on every mountain and hill and in the caves among the rocks. 17 I see everything they do. Nothing is hidden from me; their sins do not escape my sight. 18 I will make them pay double for their sin and wickedness, because they have defiled my land with idols that are as lifeless as corpses, and have filled it with their false gods.”

19 Lord, you are the one who protects me and gives me strength; you help me in times of trouble. Nations will come to you from the ends of the earth and say, “Our ancestors had nothing but false gods, nothing but useless idols. 20 Can people make their own gods? No, if they did, those would not really be gods.”

21 “So then,” says the Lord, “once and for all I will make the nations know my power and my might; they will know that I am the Lord.”

Reflect

Reread verses 14–15. What does God say about those who will return from exile? Jeremiah had warned Judah’s kings, priests, and the people of their coming doom. In verses 16–18, Judah’s enemies are likened to fishermen and hunters. How is Judah’s punishment described in these verses? In verses 19 and 20, Jeremiah addresses God directly. What does he say that indicates his loyalty to and trust in God? In what ways do you express or demonstrate your loyalty to God?

Pray

God of power and might, you are my source of protection and strength. Whenever I am in trouble, I know that I can always turn to you, trusting in your forgiveness and mercy to restore me to right relationship with you. I thank and praise you for your steadfast love and grace. Amen.

Tomorrow’s Reading

Jeremiah 32:1–15: The prophet Jeremiah is instructed to buy a field.