A Promise of Restoration

 A Promise of Restoration

 

By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Jeremiah 30:1-24

 

Jeremiah 30:8-9

“And it shall come to pass in that day, declares the Lord of hosts, that I will break his yoke from off your neck, and I will burst your bonds, and foreigners shall no more make a servant of him.[a] 9 But they shall serve the Lord their God and David their king, whom I will raise up for them.

(ESV)

 

While my handyman skills are definitely lacking, I still enjoy watching home improvement programs on television. I find it fascinating that people have the skills to take an extremely run-down home and restore it to something beautiful. However, these restoration skills pale in comparison to the restoration done by Jesus on the cross. The passage in Jeremiah 30:1-24 provides an Old Testament account of the graciousness of God towards His people despite their failure to worship only God and practice duplicitous worship of God and the pagan gods of the land. While not recorded in scripture, I am sure many reading these words of prophecy from God found comfort in knowing God would restore them and place them back in their land.

 

The passage begins with God giving Jeremiah a word to deliver to those in exile but, unlike other prophecies, this one brings hope of restoration (Jeremiah 30:1-3). The passage then lets the exiles know that the Lord is aware of the panic and terror they are experiencing (Jeremiah 30:4-6), ending with the Lord declaring their tribulation is great but that the Lord will save Jacob out of their distress (Jeremiah 30:7). The Lord then promises to break the yoke off their necks and burst their bonds with foreigners no longer making servants out of God’s people (Jeremiah 30:8). Instead of a future of exile, the future for God’s people is bright with them returning to their land to serve the Lord their God and have David as their king whom God will raise up for them (Jeremiah 30:9). This is a reference to Jesus, from the lineage of David who would come to save the world from sin.

 

God reminds His people not to fear or be dismayed because the Lord intends to save His people and bring to an end the nations where God scattered His people in exile (Jeremiah 30:10-11). However, God also intends to discipline His people, for their sins cannot go unpunished. The Lord then lets His people know the hurt from their sin is incurable and grievous but later promises to restore health to them (Jeremiah 30: 13, 17). While these statements seem contradictory, it is a promise that nothing is impossible with God (Matthew 19:26). The sins of Judah and Israel are incurable by human standards but find a cure through the grace of God just as our sins have full forgiveness at the cross (John 19:30). God reminds His people that their gods were of no help and that restoration and the defeat of the nations holding Israel and Judah captive will occur (Jeremiah 30:14-16). 

 

Not only did God restore the health of God’s people, but the people will also have a complete restoration of their property and the rebuilding of their cities. Instead of panic and distress, the people will sing songs of thanksgiving and celebration (Jeremiah 30:19). God also promises a restoration of identity with Israel and Judah once again identified as children of God (Jeremiah 30:20-22). The word from the Lord ends with the Lord describing a storm of wrath from the Lord that will burst upon the wicked with the fierce anger of the Lord not turning back until the Lord accomplishes his intentions (Jeremiah 30:23-24).

 

Judah and Israel have committed grievous sins and have an incurable wound (Jeremiah 30:12). However, God is a gracious God who promises to heal their wounds and restore their health (Jeremiah 30:17). Because of God's grace towards His people, the people will sing songs of thanksgiving and have something for which to celebrate (Jeremiah 30:19). As promised, God’s plan for those in captivity was not their destruction but their good (Jeremiah 29:11). The discipline given by God to Judah and Israel came in just measure, allowing them to repent and experience full restoration from God.

 

All humanity has sinned and missed the mark with God (Romans 3:23). The result of this sin is an incurable wound carrying the death penalty (Romans 6:23). However, God has provided a gift of grace for humanity, His Son Jesus Christ. So powerful is this gift that one believing in Jesus and making a profession of faith in Jesus as their Savior is saved and receives eternal life (John 3:16; Romans 10:9-10). Like any gift, one must accept the gift of salvation and open it for the recipient to receive any benefits. If you are reading this and have not accepted God's gift of salvation, I invite you to do so by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post.

Righteous by Faith, Not the Law.

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Romans 3:21-31

 

Romans 3:21-23

But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— ²² the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: ²³ for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

(ESV)

 

Law and order are what separate civil societies from non-civil ones. The focus on law and order and the rule of law governing it (i.e. Constitutions, city charters, statutes, etc.) has served the United States and other civil societies well, but law and order in our society are now under attack. In many parts of the United States, it is now legal to steal less than one thousand dollars of merchandise from a store. In places like New York City, one can be arrested for a crime and released without bail with a promise to show up in court. Many of these individuals do not show up in court and commit additional crimes. However, there is a rule of law humanity cannot completely obey and why humanity needs a Savior. This rule of law is the law of God.

 

While the inability of humanity In Romans 3:21-31, to obey the law of God as contained in the Old Testament makes righteousness an impossible goal for anyone to attain on their own, Jesus separated the righteousness of God from the law by dying for our sins (Romans 3:21-22; 5:8). Since all have sinned (Romans 3:23) and are under a death penalty for sin (Romans 6:23), all humanity needs the gracious gift of redemption only found through the shed blood of Jesus Christ (Romans 3:24). So powerful is the propitiatory or substitutionary nature of Jesus who knew no sin taking on the death penalty, that it even covered the sins of Old Testament individuals professing a forward-looking faith in their coming Messiah (Romans 3:25-26).

 

In Romans 3:27-31, the narrative shifts to asking about our boasting as human beings. Paul concludes that this boasting is excluded but not by the law of works, but the law of faith (Romans 3:27). Ephesians 2:8-9 describes this faith as belief in the saving grace of God offered to humanity that is separated from the works of humanity. So broad is this grace from God that all can receive its benefits (Romans 3:29-30). However, this does not negate the need for the Law of God for without the Law, humanity would not know they have sinned (Romans 3:31).

 

The extremes of Christianity are liberalism or the belief that Jesus’ death on the cross was a blanket pardon for sin. This extreme believes all receive salvation through Jesus’ death and resurrection regardless of whether they accept Jesus as their Savior or not. However, Romans 10:9-10 states that one must make a verbal profession of faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The other extreme is moralism or a belief that one must have a strict adherence to the law for salvation based on faith without works being dead faith (James 1:26). However, the context of this verse is one performing good works of charity such as clothing or feeding the poor (James 1:14-17). James 1:26 is not saying that works bring salvation, but that one’s profession faith in Jesus as his or her Savior brings life to faith when they perform good works of charity. This is what the Apostle Paul means a manifestation of righteousness now exists apart from the law. This does not negate the role of the law for apart from the law, how can one know they have sinned and missed the mark with God. The balance between these two extremes is the Gospel or the provision of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9) with that faith coming alive through good works (James 1:26).

 

If you are reading this and either believe you are automatically saved because of what Jesus did or that you must have a life strictly following the Ten Commandments for salvation I want to invite you to follow the Gospel and make a profession of faith in Jesus as your Savior by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

I encourage and challenge those reading this to bring life to their faith by growing in faith through attending a local church where they can be with other believers in Christ and learn from God’s Word, Then I encourage those reading this to give of their time and money in service to God, showing others the love of Christ for this is how the world knows we are disciples of Christ (John 13:34-35). May God bless and challenge everyone reading this post.

The Consequences of Delivering False Prophecies

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Jeremiah 29:24-32

 

Jeremiah 29:31-32

“Send to all the exiles, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord concerning Shemaiah of Nehelam: Because Shemaiah had prophesied to you when I did not send him, and has made you trust in a lie, therefore thus says the Lord: Behold, I will punish Shemaiah of Nehelam and his descendants. He shall not have anyone living among this people, and he shall not see the good that I will do to my people, declares the Lord, for he has spoken rebellion against the Lord.’”

(ESV)

 

Those with a calling to teach the Word of God have a high calling and are held by God to a higher standard (James 3:1). For those professing to teach according to the precepts of the Word of God but instead use God to add relevancy to their agenda, the consequences can be dire. Such is the fate of Shemaiah in Jeremiah 29:24-32, and a stern warning to anyone called to teach the Word of God today.

 

Jeremiah 29:24-32 begins with the Lord instructing Jeremiah to give a word to Shemaiah of Nehelam (Jeremiah 29:24). The word is regarding letters sent to those in Jerusalem, Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest, and all the priests (Jeremiah 29:25). Shemaiah directs the letters to Zephaniah who is a priest instead of Jehoiada to have charge over those prophesying to put Shemaiah in stocks and neck irons (Jeremiah 29:26). This indicates a desire of Shemaiah to protect his ability to accomplish his agenda rather than deliver truth from God. The content of the letters now becomes personal for Jeremiah, with Shemaiah asking Zephaniah why he has not rebuked Jeremiah (Jeremiah 29:27). Shemaiah’s contention with Jeremiah is his instructions to those in exile to build houses to live in and plant gardens to eat the produce (Jeremiah 29:28).

 

Zephaniah reads the letter in the presence of Jeremiah who then receives a word from the Lord (Jeremiah 29:29-30). The Word from the Lord given to Jeremiah is that Shemaiah is a false prophet not sent from God (Jeremiah 29:31). Shemaiah will suffer the dire consequences of no descendants plus not living to see the return of the exiles to Jerusalem (Jeremiah 29:32).                                                     

 

Shemaiah has a desire for the exiles to return quickly from exile and issues a prophecy telling the people remaining in Jerusalem, Zephaniah, and all the priests that Jeremiah is a madman prophet because he has asked for them to put him in stocks and neck irons (Jeremiah 29:24-27). Shemaiah’s point of contention with Jeremiah is his instructions for those in exile to build houses to live in and to plant gardens and eat what they produce (Jeremiah 29:28). These instructions indicate a lengthy exile and not a swift return to Judah’s previous rebellion against God, time for repentance (Jeremiah 9:13-16). While scripture is not clear, Shemaiah possibly has a hidden agenda, leading to a desire for a short exile. One possible explanation is that Shemaiah profited from his prophecies but with much of the nation in exile, saw his profits decline. It is also possible he had property in Judah he feared he would lose while in exile. In either instance, Shemaiah appears to be acting in his self-interest and not the best interest of God’s people.

 

God holds those called to teach the Word of God to a higher standard (James 3:1). Therefore, teachers of the Bible must ensure their teaching aligns with the Word of God. The student of the Word of God must also follow the example of the Bereans studying the Word of God daily (Acts 17:10-11) for the teacher may deliver false teaching. Daily study of scripture is not just for those with a calling to teach but something that makes it possible for the student to discern false teaching that does not align with the Word of God. In this time of lies and deception, it has never been more important for believers in Jesus as their Savior to discern truth from lies. Teachers of the Bible who compromise their teaching in the interest of retaining members and increasing contributions are not adhering to the high standard of one with a calling to teach the Word of God (Titus 1:5-2:15) and risk dire circumstances like those Shemaiah experienced. May God bless and challenge all reading this post.