The book of Jeremiah is the longest Prophetic Book in the Old Testament. Also, Jeremiah’s life is more fully described than any of the other fifteen writing prophets. Jeremiah had a word from the Lord for the people of Judah during the last half of the 7th century and the first quarter of the 6th century B.C. He came from the town of Anathoth (1:1). At the Lord’s command, the prophet neither married nor had children. The reason for this was that an impending judgment from God would be coming on the next generation.
In the book, the Prophet discusses the last days of Judah. King Hezekiah reigned for forty-two years and he worked to get the people back on track spiritually. He was followed by his son Manasseh, one of the most wicked kings of all time. Under his reign, idolatrous and superstitious cultic practices came back to life like a flood.
Jeremiah is the prophet of the “word of the Lord.” The phrase, “Thus says the LORD”, appears 349 times in the Old Testament. That same or similar phrase appears in Jeremiah 157 times. The thing we need to know is that the prophetic word that Jeremiah spoke, was more than just an objective revelation of God to the people of Judah. God’s words proved to be the joy and food for Jeremiah’s own soul. Listen to what he said in 15:16 – “Your words were found and I ate them. Your words became a delight to me and the joy of my heart, for I am called by your name, Yahweh God of Hosts.
We have a similar expression of love for God’s word in Ezekiel 2:8-3:3.
(8) “And you, son of man, listen to what I tell you: Do not be rebellious like that rebellious house. Open your mouth and eat what I am giving you.” (9) So, I looked and saw a hand reaching out to me, and there was a written scroll in it. (10) When He unrolled it before me, it was written on the front and back; words of lamentation mourning, and woe were written on it. 3 (1) He said to me: “Son of man, eat what you find here. Eat this scroll, then go and speak to the house of Israel. (2) So, I opened my mouth, and He fed me the scroll. (3) “Son of man,” He said to me, “eat and fill your stomach with this scroll I am giving you.” So, I ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth.” Notice in the last part of verse 3, the Prophet says,” So I ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth.”
· Do you have a delightful taste for God’s word in your heart?
· Is it a satisfying taste like honey as you consume it?
· Listen to the words of the Psalmist (19: 7-11)
“The instruction of the LORD is perfect, renewing one’s life; the testimony of the LORD is trustworthy, making the inexperienced wise. The precepts of the LORD are right, making the heart glad; the command of the LORD is radiant, making the eyes light up. The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever the ordinances of the LORD are reliable and altogether righteous. They are more desirable than gold – than an abundance of pure gold, and sweeter than honey, which comes from the honeycomb. In addition, your servant is warned by them; there is great reward in keeping them.
Would you pause right now and do yourself a huge favor by reviewing all of the benefits the Psalmist says comes to those who immerse themselves in God’s word. If we would grasp all the benefits available to us as we live our lives according to God’s word, we will have a great life.
In Psalm 119:103-105, the writer expresses his love and appreciation for God’s word as follows –“How sweet your words are to my taste – sweeter than honey in my mouth. I gain understanding from Your precepts; therefore, I hate every false way. Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.”
In verse 11, he states, “I have treasured Your word in my heart, so that I may not sin against you.”
If we memorize and hide God’s word in our hearts, it will greatly diminish the likelihood of our sinning. When temptation comes the Holy Spirit will raise God’s word in our minds and like our LORD in his wilderness tempting, we will say to the devil – “It is written!” The last thing Satan wants to hear is us quote scripture because it will reveal him for the liar he is.
As a pastor, I want to create a hunger and thirst in my heart and yours for the word of God like young Harry. “Why do you insist upon having the largest piece of the pie, Harry? His mother asked. “Don’t you think your big brother should have it?” “No, replied Harry, not the way it seems to me. He was eating pie three years before I was born.”
This is one of the reasons we are now offering Bible Alive classes on Sunday mornings at 9:15. We want all of you to have as much “pie” (God’s word), as possible.
In His love,
Paster Leonard
