Jeremiah faithfully preached the word of God for twenty-three years. But God's own people, Judah, never listened. No matter how many prophets the Lord sent, Judah always turned a deaf ear to His word. So, the Lord himself warned them again, through the prophet Jeremiah. The Lord promised them that if they turned from their wicked ways, they would be able to stay in the land forever and ever. And he would never harm them. When we listen to the Lord, we are blessed indeed!

But because they did not listen to the Lord, he was angry with them. He would judge them and punish them and would bring harm to them. The Lord would use King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon as his tool for judgment. He would completely destroy Judah and send the people into exile.

But the Lord also promised mercy on his people. After seventy years, the Lord would relent and turn and punish their captors for their own sin. He would do to Babylon what he did to Judah.


Application: Father, thank you for your mercy on sinners. Thank you that your wrath lasts only a brief time and that after your punishment comes blessings. Help us to listen to you at all times.
One Word: Listen to the Lord and obey!