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Daily Devotions

Jeremiah

Jeremiah 
Day 
Day 110

"The plunderer will suddenly come upon us"

Text: Jeremiah 6:26

AN APPEAL TO HUMBLE REPENTANCE

There were some who may have understood the solemn words of warning. But would understanding be sufficient response?

“We have heard the report of it;
Our hands grow feeble.
Anguish has taken hold of us,
Pain as of a woman in labour.
Do not go out into the field,
Nor walk by the way.
Because of the sword of the enemy,
Fear is on every side.
O daughter of my people,
Dress in sackcloth
And roll about in ashes!
Make mourning as for an only son, most bitter lamentation;
For the plunderer will suddenly come upon us.”
Jeremiah 6:24-26

1. “We have heard the report of it; our hands grow feeble. Anguish has taken hold of us, pain as of a woman in labour.”

a) This was one response that was noted.
i) Some were enfeebled because of the threat of war.
ii) Anguish was felt.
iii) Some felt even more strongly. They felt the pain as of a woman in labour.
b) But was this response adequate?
i) Would feelings be good enough?
ii) Would a sense of foreboding be sufficient?

2. “Do not go out into the field, nor walk by the way. Because of the sword of the enemy, fear is on every side.”

a) Practical advice was given
i) Don’t venture outside
ii) Don’t go out for a walk
b) The sword of the enemy
i) This had caused fear to be felt
ii) This fear was very real
iii) But was this sufficient response?

Would this turn away the wrath of God?

3. “O daughter of my people, dress in sackcloth and roll about in ashes!
Make mourning as for an only son, most bitter lamentation; for the plunderer will suddenly come upon us.”

a) This was offered as the correct response.
i) “Sackcloth” represents deep sorrow.
ii) “Ashes” would also symbolise great sadness.
iii) “Mourning as for an only son”
This would have been a significant response to God’s word of warning.
iv) “Most bitter lamentation”
This would have been the appropriate response to God’s rebuke of sin.
b) The Plunderer
i) The enemy draws ever nearer.
ii) He would suddenly come and bring ruin.
c) Only God could bring about deliverance.
i) But the nation must first show repentance.
ii) Feelings and practical advice would not be good enough!