DAILY BIBLE READING: Jeremiah 43, 44, 45; Hebrews 5
“And it came to pass, that when Jeremiah had made an end of speaking unto all the people all the words of the LORD their God, for which the LORD their God had sent him to them, even all these words, Then spake Azariah the son of Hoshaiah, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the proud men, saying unto Jeremiah, Thou speakest falsely: the LORD our God hath not sent thee to say, Go not into Egypt to sojourn there.” Jeremiah 43:1-2 (KJV).
The world has different categories of people. There are some who are always encouraging people on the right course while some others are there discouraging people from running after the right course. The weeping prophet, as he is called by scholars, continues his assignment in the midst of the people of Judah, to whom God sent him but never without obvious confrontation. On many occasions, he witnessed intense hardship which resulted in incarceration. Oh! Why are human beings like this? Why was it difficult to believe the eternal word of God coming from this prophet whose calling was attested to by God? These people were among those who made promise earlier to obey the word of God whether good or evil “Then Jeremiah the prophet said unto them, I have heard you; behold I will pray unto the LORD your God according to your words; and it shall come to pass, that whatsoever thing the LORD shall answer you, I will declare it unto you; I will keep nothing back from you. [5] Then they said to Jeremiah, the LORD be a true and faithful witness between us, if we do not even according to all things for the which the LORD thy God shall send thee to us” Jeremiah 42:4-5 (KJV).
Sadly, when the man of God had laboured and received the message from the LORD, there came some detractors from among the people of God who resisted the voice of the LORD by confronting Jeremiah and said, “…The LORD our God hath not sent thee to say, Go not into Egypt to sojourn there” v.2b. At this, they mobilised and forcefully moved to Egypt in open disobedience to the voice of the LORD. They did not spare the prophet also. They carried all the remnants into Egypt at the promptings of selected few whose voices could have provided motivation for the people to obey the LORD. Jesus Christ gave response to the quest of Philip saying; “Those who obey my commandments are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them, and I will love them. And I will reveal myself to each one of them” John 14:21 (NLT). You can never know God beyond the level of your love and obedience to His words.
Whatever you are doing now is being recorded against your name. Azaraih, the son Hoshaiah, and Johanan the son of Kareah and all the proud men did not know that their name and fathers’ names shall enter into this sacred book on this note. You see, at times when you think you can talk and just say anything to discredit the word of God, it could cost you something which is beyond you. What are you encouraging people to do now as an individual? Are you among the people who always incite people to kick against the Word of God or you always provide the needed encouragement to keep the terms of the covenant of the LORD? Check it out now before it is too late. In case, you find yourself on the wrong side, repent and start doing the right thing beginning from now. Be a positive influence and not a negative influence. God is watching you!
Prayer: My Father, make me a positive influence and not a negative one to my generation in the name of Jesus Christ.
Rev. Julius Oluwole