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Daily Devotions

Jeremiah

Jeremiah 
Day 
Day 162

"You who judge righteously"

Text: Jeremiah 11:20

JEREMIAH’S PRAYER FOR JUSTICE

Jeremiah was initially shocked when the LORD revealed the evil intentions of his enemies. He then went on to pray that God would uphold justice for him.

“But, O LORD of hosts,
You who judge righteously,
Testing the mind and the heart,
Let me see Your vengeance on them,
For to You I have revealed my cause.
‘Therefore thus says the LORD concerning
the men of Anathoth who seek your life, saying,
‘Do not prophesy in the name of the LORD,
lest you die by our hand’-‘”
Jeremiah 11:20-21

1. “But, O LORD of hosts”

a) God was the mighty “LORD of hosts”.
b) Jeremiah would depend on His power and protection from enemies.

2. “You who judge righteously, testing the mind and the heart”

a) Jeremiah appealed to God as Judge.
b) God will judge righteously.
c) He will examine both heart and mind:
i) Jeremiah’s heart and mind
ii) The enemies’ hearts and minds

3. “Let me see Your vengeance on them, for to You I have revealed my cause”

a) Jeremiah had pleaded (revealed) his “cause” before God.
b) He was “like a docile lamb”.
c) The enemies had no grounds to plot his death.
d) They should be judged by God’s divine vengeance.
e) He would trust God’s judgment.

4. “Therefore thus says the LORD concerning the men of Anathoth who seek your life, saying, ‘Do not prophesy in the name of the LORD, lest you die by our hand'”

a) God would take up Jeremiah’s cause.
b) Jeremiah’s enemies were further revealed.
i) They were from Anathoth.
ii) Jeremiah’s hometown was Anathoth.
iii) This was a city of priests (Jeremiah 1:1).
iv) The priests of Anathoth were revealed as his enemies who sought his life.
c) They had warned Jeremiah not to prophesy in the Lord’s name.
d) He would be killed by them if he did not comply with their demand!