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Daily Devotions

Jeremiah

Jeremiah 
Day 
Day 69

"The lion has come up from his thicket"

Text: Jeremiah 4:7

THE SYMBOL OF THE LION

The symbol of the lion was a well-known one. It was closely associated with ancient Babylon. It was the symbol of the goddess Ishtar. She was worshipped as the goddess of war as well as fertility. The lion symbolised strength and power. This motif was found in walls of ancient Babylon.

“The lion has come up from his thicket,
And the destroyer of nations is on his way.
He has gone forth from his place
To make your land desolate.
Your cities will be laid waste,
Without inhabitant.
For this, clothe yourself with sackcloth,
Lament and wail.
For the fierce anger of the LORD
Has not turned back from us.”
Jeremiah 4:7-8

1. “The lion has come up from his thicket, and the destroyer of nations is on his way.”

a) “The lion” is equated with “the destroyer”.
b) The lion destroys weaker animals as prey.
c) Babylon was like the lion that destroyed.
d) In this instance, Babylon had destroyed many nations.

2. “He has gone forth from his place to make your land desolate. Your cities will be laid waste, without inhabitant.”

a) “His thicket” is equated with “his place” (country of origin).
b) A word of warning was given:
i) The lion has gone from his thicket (Babylon).
ii) He has come to make the land of Judah desolate.
iii) He will cause cities to be destroyed with no inhabitants remaining.

3. “For this, clothe yourself with sackcloth, lament and wail. For the fierce anger of the LORD has not turned back from us.”

a) A response is needed.
b) A military response is impossible.
No nation had been able to withstand the onslaught of the Babylonians.
c) A spiritual response is strongly advised. The description is that of a fast (Joel 2:15).
i) “Sackcloth”
To express deep contrition for sins committed.
ii) “Lament and wail”
To express sorrow before the Lord.
d) “The fierce anger of the LORD”
i) This is the greater danger.
ii) If this anger is not turned back (turned away) then Judah would be destroyed and devastated.
e) The LORD alone has the power to defeat the Babylonians!
i) But He will not hear the prayers of people who are unrepentant.
ii) His anger remains when there is no genuine confession of sin.