Endurance, Hope, Love

O. T. #1729  "Endurance, Hope, Love"
July 8, 2020
Introduction to Jeremiah

How are you known in your family, church family, neighborhood, on your job, at the store?
How do you react to persecution, troubles, trials, waiting?
Today, we begin a new book of the Old Testament, which is entitled with the same name as its author, although he had someone to whom he dictated it. There is a lot that Jeremiah had to say in prophecy, which God used to warn His people of the upcoming destruction if they did not repent of idolatry. This caused Jeremiah to weep over his people as he waited for the future of captivity and destruction.

The Author

Who was this Prophet Jeremiah?

* He served as a priest in Judah.
* He was called by God to be a prophet around the age of 20.
* He was the son of a priest, Hilkiah (not the one who found the Law in 2Kings 22).
* He was from a small village of Anathoth, located 3 miles northeast of Jerusalem, and in the land of
   Benjamin. (verse 1).
* Jeremiah remained unmarried, as an object lesson to Judah. (16:1-4)
* A scribe named Baruch assisted him in the ministry by dictating and copying the messages of this
   prophet, as a type of secretary, who wrote on a scroll. (36:4)
* He was known as "the weeping prophet." (13:17)
* He lived a life of conflict because of his predictions about judgment by invading Babylon; he was
   threatened, tried for his life, put in stocks, forced to flee from a king, was publicly humiliated by a
   false prophet, and thrown into a pit.
* His ministry extended to about 50 years, lasting through 5 kings of Judah, and Gentile nations
    including Egypt.
[Resource: The MacArthur Bible Commentary]

How did this prophet survive all that he experienced? How do we continue and not loose faith?
He knew that he was doing God's will and was not alone.

Paul, who endured so much suffering because of witnessing for Jesus, wrote to the church at Rome, which is found in Romans 5:3-5,NLT,
We can rejoice, too, when we run into problem and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. and this hope will not lead to disappointment. for we know how dearly God loves us, because He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His joy.

Are you enduring this trying time, friend?
Remember, our God gives us love, hope, and joy to endure anything. Just give Him the glory and be thankful for His blessings.