Scripture Reading : Jeremiah 15
Theme : Unrelenting Wrath
Unrelenting Wrath (1-9)
God has made up His mind to destroy these unrepentant, persistent rebels. Even if godly intercessors like Moses and Samuel were to pray for mercy, God still will not relent. He has been weary of relenting His righteous judgement; therefore He will act now. Their sins are too great.
Jeremiah’s Sin (10-21).
Because of God’s persistent message of judgement on their sins through the mouth of Jeremiah, Jeremiah has become everyone’s favorite target. He is hated by everyone. So Jeremiah complains to God. He says he loves God’s word but he is now lonely and spurned by everyone. He is in pain. He wants God to take immediate vengeance on his persecutors. Sadly, during Jeremiah’s deep despair, he sinned against God by calling Him a deceitful brook, an unreliable, unfaithful God who cannot fulfill His promise to protect him. But God rebukes Jeremiah and commands him to strengthen his trust in God. God will definitely fulfill his promise to save Jeremiah from his persecutors. In the end, even Jeremiah’s enemies will ask him for prayers.
Praying the Scripture
- God is loving, but He is also a consuming fire that judges sinners with righteousness. Do not take God’s love for granted and treat Him with no reverence. Those who do not revere Him will be consumed, just like the Jews. They did not fear God, but treated Him lightly. Pray that you will take God seriously and take sin seriously because it offends God. Do not presume on God’s grace, for that is a sin in itself. God is love but He is also righteous and just.
- Jeremiah sinned by doubting God’s promise to him. Doubting God’s word is to doubt His character. That is why it is a sin. That is why unbelief is so ugly. If you doubt your spouse’s love and promise to you, you offend your spouse’s character, honour and glory. To doubt God’s word is even worse because He is the king of the world. If you think God has failed you, either you have misinterpreted the Bible or you are not patient enough like Jeremiah. Repent and trust in His character, which is His glory and honour.
经文：耶利米书15
主题：不后悔的忿怒
不后悔的忿怒（1-9）。神已定意毁灭这些不肯悔改，顽梗的叛者。即便有敬虔的中保如摩西和撒母代他们祈求怜悯，神仍断然要拒绝他们。以色列民罪孽深重，以至神不愿再收手，必要施行公义的审判。
耶利米的罪（10-21）由于神藉耶利米的口传讲罪之审判的信息，耶利米便成了众矢之的，被人憎恨。因此，耶利米向神抱怨。他说他爱神的话语，但如今却是孤独的，并被人鄙弃。他处于痛苦之中，唯愿神立刻向逼迫他的人报复。可悲的是，在耶利米深深的绝望中，他因称神为诡诈的、不可靠的，不信实的，并无法履行祂的应许保护他而触犯了神。神斥责耶利米并吩咐他要坚固自己对神的信心。神必定成就祂的应许，从逼迫者手中保护耶利米。最终，即便是耶利米的敌人也会向他求告。
用经文祷告
- 神是有怜爱的，但祂也是用公义审判罪人的烈火。不要把神的爱当作理所当然，也不要对祂不尊重。对神不尊重的人将会像犹太人一样被歼灭。他们不敬畏神并轻忽祂。祷告你会认真对待神与罪恶，免得触犯了神。不要臆断神的恩典，因为这也是罪。神是爱，但祂也是公义和公正的。
- 耶利米因怀疑神的应许而犯罪。怀疑神的话同等于怀疑神的品性；这乃是罪的原因。这就是为什么不信是如此的丑陋。如果你怀疑你的配偶之爱与承诺，你就触犯了他/她的品性、尊严与荣耀。由于神是世界之王，若怀疑祂就更为严重了。你如果认为神辜负了，事实上你不是误解了圣经，就是你像耶利米一样不够耐心。要悔改并相信祂的荣耀与尊严的品性。
