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Daily Devotions

Jeremiah

Jeremiah 
Day 
Day 129

"I will send serpents among you"

Text: Jeremiah 8:17

GOD’S INVOLVEMENT

God’s involvement in the coming invasion was made very clear. The enemies who were coming to invade the land had been sent by God!

“The snorting of His horses was heard from Dan.
The whole land trembled at the sound of the neighing of His strong ones;
For they have come and devoured the land and all that is in it,
The city and those who dwell in it.
‘For behold, I will send serpents among you,
Vipers which cannot be charmed,
And they shall bite you,’ says the LORD.”
Jeremiah 8:16-17

1. “The snorting of His horses was heard from Dan.
The whole land trembled at the sound of the neighing of His strong ones.”

a) War horses:
i) They were often specially bred for war.
ii) Their very neighing seemed to cause fear in the hearts of their enemies.
b) Dan was in the North.
i) Starting from Dan the whole land trembled.
ii) The people began to fear that Jeremiah’s prophecy would be fulfilled.

2. “For they have come and devoured the land and all that is in it, the city and those who dwell in it.”

a) The invaders had come with a dread purpose.
b) They had come:
i) To devour the land and all that was in the land.
ii) The city of Jerusalem and all its residents.

3. “‘For behold, I will send serpents among you, vipers which cannot be charmed, and they shall bite you,’ says the LORD.”

a) The imagery of “serpents” was carefully chosen.
i) Serpents were deadly.
ii) Their bites could kill.
b) These “vipers” were not like those displayed by snake charmers in bazaars.
i) These were deadly untamed snakes.
ii) They cannot be charmed.
iii) The enemies, like vipers, would bring death to the people.