July 9, 2019
Jeremiah 8:4-13 New Living Translation (NLT)
There is a difference between knowledge and wisdom. The world contains a great deal of knowledge, and we benefit from that which is good. However, wisdom is supreme as it comes from God and it can only be obtained through His Word.
The bible points us to do the following when we are seeking God’s Wisdom through His Word:
1. Pray to God – “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.” James 1:5
2. Reverence for God – “Fear of the LORD is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment.” Proverbs 9:10
3. Receive God’s Word – “Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are my constant guide.” Psalm 119:98
In our passage today, Jeremiah teaches that the people of Jerusalem refused to turn back, even though they were rejecting the Word of God. The Word had been given to Moses and was available to them through the “Book of the Law”, they had the Psalms, the Proverbs, and even the prophet, Jeremiah, himself in their midst; yet, they still rejected what God said and turned away from His Wisdom for their lives.
Wisdom is gained through the Word of God. It is available to ALL of us! So, understanding the bible is not an option for Christians, it’s mandatory. We must spend time everyday in the Word if we want to gain wisdom. Let’s pray for wisdom as we read the Word, revere the Lord’s message when we are in the Word, and receive God’s Word through the Holy Spirit so it can guide the steps of our lives.
Jeremiah 8:4-13
Deception by False Prophets
4 “Jeremiah, say to the people, ‘This is what the LORD says:
“‘When people fall down, don’t they get up again?
When they discover they’re on the wrong road, don’t they turn back?
5 Then why do these people stay on their self-destructive path?
Why do the people of Jerusalem refuse to turn back?
They cling tightly to their lies
and will not turn around.
6 I listen to their conversations
and don’t hear a word of truth.
Is anyone sorry for doing wrong?
Does anyone say, “What a terrible thing I have done”?
No! All are running down the path of sin
as swiftly as a horse galloping into battle!
7 Even the stork that flies across the sky
knows the time of her migration,
as do the turtledove, the swallow, and the crane.
They all return at the proper time each year.
But not my people!
They do not know the LORD’s laws.
8 “‘How can you say, “We are wise because we have the word of the LORD,”
when your teachers have twisted it by writing lies?
9 These wise teachers will fall
into the trap of their own foolishness,
for they have rejected the word of the LORD.
Are they so wise after all?
10 I will give their wives to others
and their farms to strangers.
From the least to the greatest,
their lives are ruled by greed.
Yes, even my prophets and priests are like that.
They are all frauds.
11 They offer superficial treatments
for my people’s mortal wound.
They give assurances of peace
when there is no peace.
12 Are they ashamed of these disgusting actions?
Not at all—they don’t even know how to blush!
Therefore, they will lie among the slaughtered.
They will be brought down when I punish them,
says the LORD.
13 I will surely consume them.
There will be no more harvests of figs and grapes.
Their fruit trees will all die.
Whatever I gave them will soon be gone.
I, the LORD, have spoken!’
Prayer: Jesus, thank You for Your Word that is Truth. It’s the Truth I need to guide my life. I pray that Your Holy Spirit is with me as I spend time in Your Word. I humble my heart before You, oh Lord, and I ask that You bring understanding of your Wisdom to my mind as You reveal Your Truth. Guide my ears to hear what I need to hear, my eyes to see what I need to see, and feet to take the necessary steps down the path You have designed for my life. I thank You for your Wisdom which passes all human understanding. I pray all of this in Your Name, Jesus. Amen.
Written by: Jen Auer