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Daily Devotions

Jeremiah

Jeremiah 
Day 
Day 131

"For the hurt of the daughter of my people I am hurt"

Text: Jeremiah 8:21

A DEEP SENSE OF SADNESS

Jeremiah’s heart was deeply saddened at the future prospects of Judah. He knew that the nation was doomed. The people would go into captivity. Deep sorrow was felt!

“‘The harvest is past,
The summer is ended,
And we are not saved!’
For the hurt of the daughter of my people I am hurt.
I am mourning;
Astonishment has taken hold of me.
Is there no balm in Gilead,
Is there no physician there?
Why then is there no recovery
For the health of the daughter of my people?”
Jeremiah 8:20-22

1. “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved!”

a) Harvest time was always a happy one.
b) Summer added to the joy.
c) But there was nothing to rejoice in this summer.
d) Time had been given to Judah to be delivered.
e) That window was now closed.
f) Judah would not be saved from destruction.

2. “For the hurt of the daughter of my people I am hurt. I am mourning; astonishment has taken hold of me.”

a) Hurt
i) Jeremiah identified with his people.
ii) Their hurt was his, deeply and sadly.
b) Mourning
i) He wept.
ii) His mourning was very keen and deep.
c) Astonishment
i) How could the people have remained so stubborn?
ii) How could they have rejected God and turned to idolatry?
iii) He was astonished! There was no answer!

3. “Is there no balm in Gilead, is there no physician there?
Why then is there no recovery for the health of the daughter of my people?”

a) Gilead was a place East of the River Jordan.
i) It grew the balsamic plant.
ii) It was used medicinally.
b) “Balm in Gilead”
i) It became an idiom that speaks of a cure.
ii) Physicians in those days used this balm of Gilead frequently.
c) The health of the nation of Judah:
i) It was in a very poor state.
ii) No physician could cure it.
iii) No balm (ointment) would be found helpful at this stage.