WEBVTT NOTE This file was generated by Descript 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.840 Nancy: Welcome to immerse: the daily bible reading experience. 00:00:02.920 --> 00:00:04.310 day 200 and 61 00:00:04.838 --> 00:00:06.728 immersed in Jeremiah. 00:00:09.128 --> 00:00:14.648 The book of Jeremiah is the longest book within the prophets containing oracles 00:00:14.648 --> 00:00:21.038 and stories drawn from a period of more than 30 years, but a single historical 00:00:21.038 --> 00:00:23.168 situation looms over the whole book. 00:00:24.158 --> 00:00:29.048 The Babylonian empire threatens and then destroys Jerusalem 00:00:29.618 --> 00:00:31.748 leading to the exile of its people. 00:00:32.168 --> 00:00:38.018 This constitutes the single biggest crisis that God's people had ever encountered. 00:00:39.098 --> 00:00:43.178 God calls Jeremiah to be a prophet when he is still young. 00:00:43.898 --> 00:00:49.988 Jeremiah actually protests that he's too young and God tells him to renew the 00:00:49.988 --> 00:00:52.508 warning that earlier prophets had sounded. 00:00:53.558 --> 00:00:58.478 The people of Judah confidently think they will never be conquered because the Lord 00:00:58.478 --> 00:01:01.178 has made his home in the Jerusalem temple. 00:01:02.108 --> 00:01:03.698 But Jeremiah warns them. 00:01:04.508 --> 00:01:11.678 Do you really think you can steal murder, commit adultery, lie and burn 00:01:11.708 --> 00:01:17.288 incense to bail and all those other new gods of yours, and then come here and 00:01:17.288 --> 00:01:20.258 stand before me in my temple and chant. 00:01:20.618 --> 00:01:21.848 We are safe. 00:01:22.628 --> 00:01:25.748 Only to go right back to all those evils again. 00:01:27.008 --> 00:01:31.958 But the more Jeremiah insists that disaster is imminent, the more 00:01:31.958 --> 00:01:34.118 the leaders and people resist him. 00:01:34.748 --> 00:01:39.668 He is mocked and hated and even accused of treason against the nation. 00:01:40.568 --> 00:01:46.568 Finally, he is thrown in prison where he nearly dies, but through it all, 00:01:47.138 --> 00:01:52.418 even in the midst of deep depression, Jeremiah faithfully fulfills his 00:01:52.418 --> 00:01:55.508 calling for the Lord had told him. 00:01:56.168 --> 00:02:00.998 Today, I appoint you to stand up against nations and kingdoms. 00:02:01.598 --> 00:02:07.658 Some you must uproot and tear down, destroy and overthrow others. 00:02:07.658 --> 00:02:09.668 You must build up and plant. 00:02:10.883 --> 00:02:15.473 The material in the book of Jeremiah is organized into four major parts. 00:02:15.773 --> 00:02:19.733 Each marked off at the end by a reference to Jeremiah's words 00:02:19.733 --> 00:02:21.893 being written down and then read. 00:02:22.853 --> 00:02:27.533 The first part is a collection of his Oracles about Judah spoken at 00:02:27.533 --> 00:02:28.973 different points in his career. 00:02:30.488 --> 00:02:35.618 The second part of the book, Jeremiah recounts stories and messages related 00:02:35.618 --> 00:02:41.258 to events in Jerusalem during the reigns of Je Jolla, Kim and Zakiah in the years 00:02:41.258 --> 00:02:43.988 just before the final Babylonian invasion. 00:02:44.798 --> 00:02:48.968 More stories like these make up the third part of the book where they 00:02:48.968 --> 00:02:53.828 concentrate on the final years of the kingdom of Judah and the destruction of 00:02:53.828 --> 00:02:57.218 Jerusalem, like many of the prophets. 00:02:57.818 --> 00:03:01.718 Jeremiah also proclaimed messages about other nations. 00:03:02.498 --> 00:03:07.658 These oracles are collected in the last section where a message predicting 00:03:07.658 --> 00:03:13.178 babylon's eventual downfall has the last word among Jeremiah's messages. 00:03:13.958 --> 00:03:18.668 At some point, the introduction to these oracles to the nations became 00:03:18.668 --> 00:03:23.258 separated from the actual messages and was left earlier in the book. 00:03:23.948 --> 00:03:29.078 In this edition, we've reunited the introduction with the Oracles themselves 00:03:29.798 --> 00:03:32.648 after the end of Jeremiah's messages. 00:03:33.038 --> 00:03:36.758 The book concludes with an epilogue that describes in terrible 00:03:36.758 --> 00:03:40.658 detail the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the temple. 00:03:41.408 --> 00:03:45.218 This epilogue closely matches the devastating ending of 00:03:45.218 --> 00:03:47.108 the book of Samuel Kings. 00:03:48.278 --> 00:03:52.538 Even though the book closes with an account of this tragic demise of the 00:03:52.538 --> 00:03:58.268 Kingdom of Judah, a bright hope for God's people still lives at its center. 00:03:59.108 --> 00:04:03.968 A special oracle called the Book of Comfort is placed in the middle of the 00:04:03.968 --> 00:04:10.718 second section, which puts it right in the center of Jeremiah's book as a whole Hear. 00:04:10.723 --> 00:04:15.728 The Lord promises that because his love for his people is everlasting. 00:04:16.088 --> 00:04:18.458 He will bring them back from exile. 00:04:19.478 --> 00:04:24.548 I will bring them from the north and from the distant corners of the earth. 00:04:25.058 --> 00:04:31.508 A great company will return tears of joy, will stream down their faces, and 00:04:31.513 --> 00:04:34.238 I will lead them home with great care. 00:04:35.318 --> 00:04:41.858 God told Jeremiah that his words would both tear down and build up and plant. 00:04:43.133 --> 00:04:47.723 So it is fitting that in the center of the book, God promises that 00:04:47.723 --> 00:04:52.103 he will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah. 00:04:52.973 --> 00:04:57.773 God is going to put his instructions deep within them, transforming 00:04:57.773 --> 00:04:59.543 them from the inside out. 00:05:00.263 --> 00:05:03.713 The rebellion of Adam has been living in the hearts of God's 00:05:03.713 --> 00:05:10.223 people, but a new day is promised, a day of forgiveness and renewal. 00:05:10.733 --> 00:05:16.463 When all God's hopes and dreams for Israel will be realized, this 00:05:16.463 --> 00:05:18.863 is the great future that moves. 00:05:18.863 --> 00:05:21.503 The Bible's great story forward. 00:05:27.113 --> 00:05:28.373 The prophet Jeremiah, 00:05:30.863 --> 00:05:34.913 these are the words of Jeremiah, son of Hilah, one of the priests from the 00:05:34.913 --> 00:05:36.983 town of Anth in the land of Benjamin. 00:05:37.643 --> 00:05:41.813 The Lord first gave messages to Jeremiah during the 13th year of the Reign of 00:05:41.813 --> 00:05:44.123 Josiah, son of Amman, king of Judah. 00:05:44.783 --> 00:05:49.013 The Lord's messages continued throughout the reign of King Jo Jolla, Kim Josiah's 00:05:49.013 --> 00:05:54.263 son, until the 11th year of the Reign of Kings at Eiah, another of Josiah's sons. 00:05:55.253 --> 00:06:00.443 In August of that 11th year, the people of Jerusalem were taken away as captives. 00:06:02.963 --> 00:06:04.223 The Lord gave me this message. 00:06:05.108 --> 00:06:07.898 I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb. 00:06:08.348 --> 00:06:09.458 Before you were born. 00:06:09.578 --> 00:06:12.878 I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations. 00:06:13.538 --> 00:06:14.648 Oh, sovereign Lord. 00:06:14.738 --> 00:06:16.598 I said, I can't speak for you. 00:06:17.018 --> 00:06:17.768 I'm too young. 00:06:18.758 --> 00:06:22.088 The Lord replied, don't say I'm too young for you. 00:06:22.093 --> 00:06:25.388 Must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you. 00:06:26.048 --> 00:06:27.488 And don't be afraid of the people. 00:06:27.848 --> 00:06:30.098 For I will be with you and will protect you. 00:06:30.788 --> 00:06:32.258 I the Lord have spoken. 00:06:33.398 --> 00:06:38.468 Then the Lord reached out and touched my mouth and said, look, I have 00:06:38.468 --> 00:06:40.958 put my words in your mouth today. 00:06:40.963 --> 00:06:43.838 I appoint you to stand up against nations and kingdoms. 00:06:44.318 --> 00:06:48.938 Some you must uproot and tear down, destroy and overthrow others. 00:06:48.943 --> 00:06:50.678 You must build up and plant. 00:06:51.818 --> 00:06:55.118 Then the Lord said to me, look, Jeremiah, what do you see? 00:06:56.198 --> 00:06:59.678 And I replied, I see a branch from an almond tree. 00:07:00.638 --> 00:07:05.168 The Lord said That's right, and it means that I'm watching and I will 00:07:05.168 --> 00:07:07.088 certainly carry out all my plans. 00:07:08.378 --> 00:07:11.738 Then the Lord spoke to me again and asked, what do you see now? 00:07:12.578 --> 00:07:16.988 And I replied, I see a pot of boiling water spilling from the north. 00:07:17.978 --> 00:07:22.598 Yes, the Lord said, for terror from the north will boil out 00:07:22.598 --> 00:07:23.888 on the people of this land. 00:07:24.638 --> 00:07:27.848 Listen, I'm calling the armies of the kingdoms of the 00:07:27.848 --> 00:07:29.468 north to come to Jerusalem. 00:07:29.873 --> 00:07:31.313 I, the Lord have spoken. 00:07:32.513 --> 00:07:34.733 They will set their thrones at the gates of the city. 00:07:35.153 --> 00:07:38.093 They will attack its walls and all the other towns of Judah. 00:07:38.693 --> 00:07:43.163 I will pronounce judgment on my people for all their evil, for deserting me 00:07:43.313 --> 00:07:45.293 and burning incense to other gods. 00:07:45.713 --> 00:07:48.803 Yes, they worship idols made with their own hands. 00:07:49.853 --> 00:07:51.533 Get up and prepare for action. 00:07:52.073 --> 00:07:54.473 Go out and tell them everything I tell you to say. 00:07:54.863 --> 00:07:58.613 Do not be afraid of them, or I will make you look foolish in front of them. 00:07:59.438 --> 00:08:04.388 Foresee today I have made you strong like a fortified city that cannot be captured 00:08:04.898 --> 00:08:07.328 like an iron pillar or a bronze wall. 00:08:07.988 --> 00:08:11.528 You will stand against the whole land, the kings, officials, 00:08:11.618 --> 00:08:13.328 priests, and people of Judah. 00:08:13.928 --> 00:08:17.618 They will fight you, but they will fail for I am with you 00:08:18.158 --> 00:08:19.388 and I will take care of you. 00:08:20.438 --> 00:08:21.908 I, the Lord have spoken. 00:08:23.558 --> 00:08:25.058 The Lord gave me another message. 00:08:25.553 --> 00:08:29.033 He said, go and shout this message to Jerusalem. 00:08:29.363 --> 00:08:30.683 This is what the Lord says. 00:08:31.553 --> 00:08:36.083 I remember how eager you were to please me as a young bride long ago, 00:08:36.683 --> 00:08:40.283 how you loved me and followed me even through the barren wilderness. 00:08:41.063 --> 00:08:45.383 In those days, Israel was holy to the Lord, the first of his children. 00:08:46.133 --> 00:08:50.453 All who harmed his people were declared guilty and disaster fell on them. 00:08:51.563 --> 00:08:52.913 I, the Lord have spoken. 00:08:54.398 --> 00:08:58.448 Listen to the word of the Lord, people of Jacob, all you families of 00:08:58.448 --> 00:09:01.088 Israel, this is what the Lord says. 00:09:01.808 --> 00:09:06.158 What did your ancestors find wrong with me that led them to stray so far from me? 00:09:06.878 --> 00:09:11.378 They worshiped worthless idols only to become worthless themselves. 00:09:11.978 --> 00:09:15.278 They did not ask, where is the Lord who brought us safely out of 00:09:15.278 --> 00:09:19.268 Egypt and led us through the barren wilderness, A land of deserts and 00:09:19.268 --> 00:09:21.398 pits, a land of drought and death. 00:09:21.728 --> 00:09:23.678 Where no one lives or even travels. 00:09:24.758 --> 00:09:28.928 And when I brought you into a fruitful land to enjoy its bounty and goodness, 00:09:29.258 --> 00:09:33.038 you defiled my land and corrupted the possession I had promised you. 00:09:33.908 --> 00:09:36.608 The priests did not ask, where is the Lord? 00:09:37.478 --> 00:09:39.818 Those who taught my word ignored me. 00:09:40.448 --> 00:09:44.798 The rulers turned against me, and the prophets spoke in the name of Baal, 00:09:45.518 --> 00:09:47.648 wasting their time on worthless idols. 00:09:48.608 --> 00:09:52.763 Therefore, I will bring my case against you, says the Lord. 00:09:53.243 --> 00:09:57.503 I will even bring charges against your children's children in the years to come. 00:09:58.223 --> 00:10:00.443 Go West and look in the land of Cyprus. 00:10:00.983 --> 00:10:03.653 Go east and search through the land of Keter. 00:10:04.433 --> 00:10:07.193 Has anyone ever heard of anything as strange as this? 00:10:07.793 --> 00:10:12.023 Has any nation ever traded its gods for new ones, even though 00:10:12.023 --> 00:10:14.213 they're not Gods at all yet? 00:10:14.213 --> 00:10:18.803 My people have exchanged their glorious God for worthless idols. 00:10:19.448 --> 00:10:23.108 The heavens are shocked at such a thing and shrink back in 00:10:23.108 --> 00:10:25.958 horror and dismay says the Lord. 00:10:26.828 --> 00:10:29.138 For my people have done two evil things. 00:10:29.828 --> 00:10:34.838 They have abandoned me, the fountain of living water, and they have dug 00:10:34.838 --> 00:10:38.948 for themselves cracked cisterns that can hold no water at all. 00:10:39.788 --> 00:10:41.648 Why has Israel become a slave? 00:10:42.158 --> 00:10:44.348 Why has he been carried away as plunder? 00:10:45.128 --> 00:10:49.328 Strong lions have roared against him, and the land has been destroyed. 00:10:49.988 --> 00:10:54.248 The towns are now in ruins and no one lives in them anymore. 00:10:55.148 --> 00:10:59.888 Egyptians marching from their cities of Memphis and ese have destroyed 00:10:59.893 --> 00:11:04.868 Israel's glory and power, and you have brought this upon yourselves by 00:11:04.868 --> 00:11:09.338 rebelling against the Lord your God, even though he was leading you on the way. 00:11:10.223 --> 00:11:13.373 What have you gained by your alliances with Egypt and 00:11:13.373 --> 00:11:14.753 your covenants with Assyria? 00:11:15.593 --> 00:11:20.333 What good to you are the streams of the Nile or the waters of the Euphrates River. 00:11:20.933 --> 00:11:23.123 Your wickedness will bring its own punishment. 00:11:23.633 --> 00:11:25.943 Your turning from me will shame you. 00:11:26.483 --> 00:11:30.143 You will see what an evil, bitter thing it is to abandon the Lord 00:11:30.148 --> 00:11:32.033 your God and not to fear him. 00:11:33.083 --> 00:11:33.863 I the Lord. 00:11:33.923 --> 00:11:36.263 The Lord of heaven's armies have spoken. 00:11:37.838 --> 00:11:42.398 Long ago I broke the yoke that oppressed you and tore away 00:11:42.403 --> 00:11:43.808 the chains of your slavery. 00:11:44.468 --> 00:11:49.298 But still, you said, I will not serve you on every hill and under 00:11:49.298 --> 00:11:54.188 every green tree you have prostituted yourselves by bowing down to idols. 00:11:55.118 --> 00:12:00.758 But I was the one who planted you choosing a vine of the purest stock, the very best. 00:12:01.598 --> 00:12:03.968 How did you grow into this corrupt wild vine? 00:12:05.183 --> 00:12:07.943 No amount of soap or lie can make you clean. 00:12:08.663 --> 00:12:10.613 I still see the stain of your guilt. 00:12:11.903 --> 00:12:14.063 I the sovereign Lord, have spoken. 00:12:15.413 --> 00:12:17.303 You say that's not true. 00:12:17.753 --> 00:12:21.893 I haven't worshiped the images of Baal, but how can you say that? 00:12:22.703 --> 00:12:23.513 Go and look. 00:12:23.518 --> 00:12:27.713 In any valley in the land, face the awful sins you have done. 00:12:28.553 --> 00:12:32.723 You are like a restless female camel, desperately searching for a mate. 00:12:33.293 --> 00:12:36.833 You are like a wild donkey sniffing the wind at mating time. 00:12:37.433 --> 00:12:38.993 Who can restrain her lust? 00:12:39.653 --> 00:12:42.743 Those who desire her don't need to search for. 00:12:42.743 --> 00:12:44.063 She goes running to them. 00:12:44.993 --> 00:12:46.493 When will you stop running? 00:12:47.003 --> 00:12:49.433 When will you stop panting after other gods? 00:12:50.123 --> 00:12:52.343 But you say, save your breath. 00:12:52.823 --> 00:12:56.183 I'm in love with these foreign gods and I can't stop loving them. 00:12:56.183 --> 00:12:56.633 Now. 00:12:57.593 --> 00:13:01.423 Israel is like a thief who feels shame only when he gets caught. 00:13:03.293 --> 00:13:09.623 They're kings, officials, priests and prophets all are alike in this to an 00:13:09.623 --> 00:13:11.693 image carved from a piece of wood. 00:13:11.963 --> 00:13:16.943 They say, you are my father to an idol, chiseled from a block of stone. 00:13:16.943 --> 00:13:18.713 They say, you are my mother. 00:13:19.403 --> 00:13:23.573 They turn their backs on me, but in times of trouble, they cry out to 00:13:23.573 --> 00:13:28.673 me, come and save us, but why not call on these gods you have made? 00:13:29.513 --> 00:13:35.093 When trouble comes, let them save you if they can, for you have as many 00:13:35.093 --> 00:13:36.953 gods as there are towns in Judah. 00:13:37.643 --> 00:13:39.563 Why do you accuse me of doing wrong? 00:13:40.043 --> 00:13:45.923 You are the ones who have rebelled, says the Lord, I have punished your children, 00:13:46.223 --> 00:13:48.083 but they did not respond to my discipline. 00:13:48.833 --> 00:13:53.153 You yourselves have killed your prophets as a lion kills its prey. 00:13:54.023 --> 00:13:55.283 Oh my people. 00:13:55.703 --> 00:13:57.383 Listen to the words of the Lord. 00:13:58.013 --> 00:14:00.113 Have I been like a desert to Israel? 00:14:00.623 --> 00:14:01.493 Have I been to them? 00:14:01.498 --> 00:14:02.723 A land of darkness? 00:14:03.683 --> 00:14:07.313 Why then do my people say at last, we are free from God? 00:14:07.583 --> 00:14:08.783 We don't need him anymore. 00:14:09.293 --> 00:14:13.283 Does a young woman forget her jewelry or a bride, her wedding dress? 00:14:14.183 --> 00:14:17.423 Yet for years on end, my people have forgotten me. 00:14:18.323 --> 00:14:20.933 How you plot and scheme to win your lovers. 00:14:21.563 --> 00:14:24.713 Even an experienced prostitute could learn from you. 00:14:25.373 --> 00:14:28.313 Your clothing is stained with the blood of the innocent and the 00:14:28.313 --> 00:14:33.443 poor, though you didn't catch them breaking into your houses, and yet 00:14:33.448 --> 00:14:35.423 you say, I have done nothing wrong. 00:14:35.753 --> 00:14:42.473 Surely God isn't angry with me, but now I will punish you severely because you 00:14:42.473 --> 00:14:46.103 claim you have not sinned first here. 00:14:46.313 --> 00:14:51.803 Then there you flit from one ally to another asking for help, but your new 00:14:51.803 --> 00:14:53.723 friends in Egypt will let you down. 00:14:54.308 --> 00:14:59.198 Just as Assyria did before in despair, you'll be led into exile 00:14:59.288 --> 00:15:00.668 with your hands on your heads. 00:15:01.388 --> 00:15:06.248 For the Lord has rejected the nations you trust, they will not help you at all. 00:15:07.718 --> 00:15:12.368 If a man divorces a woman and she goes and marries someone else, he 00:15:12.368 --> 00:15:16.238 will not take her back again for that would surely corrupt the land. 00:15:17.378 --> 00:15:21.728 But you have prostituted yourself with many lovers, so why are 00:15:21.728 --> 00:15:23.198 you trying to come back to me? 00:15:23.843 --> 00:15:24.713 Says the Lord. 00:15:25.763 --> 00:15:27.713 Look at the shrines on every hilltop. 00:15:28.463 --> 00:15:32.633 Is there any place you have not been defiled by your adultery with other gods? 00:15:33.413 --> 00:15:37.133 You sit like a prostitute beside the road waiting for a customer. 00:15:37.853 --> 00:15:40.043 You sit alone like a nomad in the desert. 00:15:40.703 --> 00:15:44.033 You have polluted the land with your prostitution and your wickedness. 00:15:44.993 --> 00:15:49.433 That's why even the spring rains have failed for you are a brazen 00:15:49.433 --> 00:15:51.803 prostitute and completely shameless. 00:15:52.433 --> 00:15:57.023 Yet you say to me, father, you have been my guide since my youth. 00:15:57.563 --> 00:15:59.453 Surely you won't be angry forever. 00:15:59.873 --> 00:16:01.343 Surely you can forget about it. 00:16:02.033 --> 00:16:05.873 So you talk, but you keep on doing all the evil you can 00:16:07.433 --> 00:16:09.113 during the reign of King Josiah. 00:16:09.293 --> 00:16:13.763 The Lord said to me, have you seen what Fickle Israel has done? 00:16:14.393 --> 00:16:16.223 Like a wife who commits adultery? 00:16:16.583 --> 00:16:20.393 Israel has worshiped other gods on every hill and under every green tree. 00:16:21.488 --> 00:16:27.128 I thought after she has done all this, she will return to me, but she did not return, 00:16:27.668 --> 00:16:30.128 and her faithless, sister Judah saw this. 00:16:30.818 --> 00:16:35.708 She saw that I divorced Faithless Israel because of her adultery, but 00:16:35.708 --> 00:16:40.568 that treacherous sister Judah had no fear, and now she too has left me 00:16:41.018 --> 00:16:42.818 and given herself to prostitution. 00:16:43.838 --> 00:16:46.148 Israel treated it all so lightly. 00:16:46.823 --> 00:16:49.793 She thought nothing of committing adultery by worshiping idols 00:16:49.793 --> 00:16:51.053 made of wood and stone. 00:16:51.863 --> 00:16:53.993 So now the land has been polluted. 00:16:54.653 --> 00:17:00.533 But despite all this, her faithless sister Judah, has never sincerely returned to me. 00:17:01.373 --> 00:17:03.233 She has only pretended to be sorry. 00:17:04.283 --> 00:17:06.053 I, the Lord have spoken. 00:17:07.373 --> 00:17:11.573 Then the Lord said to me, even faithless, Israel is less 00:17:11.573 --> 00:17:13.163 guilty than treacherous Judah. 00:17:13.868 --> 00:17:16.868 Therefore go and give this message to Israel. 00:17:17.498 --> 00:17:21.788 This is what the Lord says, oh Israel, my faithless. 00:17:21.788 --> 00:17:25.958 People come home to me again for I am merciful. 00:17:26.738 --> 00:17:28.568 I will not be angry with you forever. 00:17:29.408 --> 00:17:31.358 Only acknowledge your guilt. 00:17:32.078 --> 00:17:35.468 Admit that you rebelled against the Lord your God, and committed 00:17:35.473 --> 00:17:39.668 adultery against him by worshiping idols under every green tree. 00:17:40.568 --> 00:17:43.778 Confess that you refused to listen to my voice. 00:17:44.528 --> 00:17:46.058 I, the Lord have spoken. 00:17:47.588 --> 00:17:50.768 Return home, you wayward children, says the Lord. 00:17:51.188 --> 00:17:56.228 For I am your master, I will bring you back to the land of Israel, one from 00:17:56.228 --> 00:18:00.068 this town, and two from that family, from wherever you are scattered. 00:18:00.848 --> 00:18:04.388 And I will give you shepherds after my own heart who will guide you 00:18:04.388 --> 00:18:06.038 with knowledge and understanding. 00:18:07.418 --> 00:18:11.708 And when your land is once more filled with people says the Lord, you will no 00:18:11.708 --> 00:18:16.238 longer wish for the good old days when you possess the Ark of the Lord's covenant. 00:18:16.958 --> 00:18:21.308 You will not miss those days or even remember them, and there will be no 00:18:21.308 --> 00:18:24.488 need to rebuild the ark in that day. 00:18:24.698 --> 00:18:27.638 Jerusalem will be known as the throne of the Lord. 00:18:28.298 --> 00:18:30.788 All nations will come there to honor the Lord. 00:18:31.388 --> 00:18:34.508 They will no longer stubbornly follow their own evil desires. 00:18:35.498 --> 00:18:39.158 In those days, the people of Judah and Israel will return 00:18:39.158 --> 00:18:40.928 together from exile in the north. 00:18:41.468 --> 00:18:42.878 They will return to the land. 00:18:42.878 --> 00:18:45.758 I gave your ancestors as an inheritance forever. 00:18:47.078 --> 00:18:50.918 I thought to myself, I would love to treat you as my own children. 00:18:51.668 --> 00:18:54.638 I wanted nothing more than to give you this beautiful land, the 00:18:54.638 --> 00:18:56.288 finest possession in the world. 00:18:56.858 --> 00:19:00.548 I looked forward to your calling me father, and I wanted you 00:19:00.548 --> 00:19:04.598 never to turn from me, but you have been unfaithful to me. 00:19:04.598 --> 00:19:04.628 I. 00:19:05.123 --> 00:19:10.163 You people of Israel, you have been like a faithless wife who leaves her husband. 00:19:11.213 --> 00:19:17.603 I the Lord have spoken voices are heard high on the wind swept mountains. 00:19:17.933 --> 00:19:22.973 The weeping and pleading of Israel's people for they have chosen crooked paths 00:19:23.153 --> 00:19:24.983 and have forgotten the Lord their God. 00:19:26.033 --> 00:19:30.593 My wayward children says the Lord come back to me and I 00:19:30.593 --> 00:19:32.243 will heal your wayward hearts. 00:19:33.593 --> 00:19:35.003 Yes, we are coming. 00:19:35.273 --> 00:19:38.843 The people reply for you are the Lord our God. 00:19:39.683 --> 00:19:44.093 Our worship of idols on the hills and our religious orgies on the mountains are a 00:19:44.098 --> 00:19:51.203 delusion only in the Lord our God will Israel ever find salvation from childhood. 00:19:51.203 --> 00:19:55.493 We have watched as everything our ancestors worked for their flocks 00:19:55.493 --> 00:19:59.513 and herds, their sons and daughters was squandered on a delusion. 00:20:00.458 --> 00:20:04.508 Let us now lie down in shame and cover ourselves with dishonor. 00:20:05.198 --> 00:20:08.318 For we and our ancestors have sinned against the Lord 00:20:08.318 --> 00:20:10.868 our God, from our childhood. 00:20:10.873 --> 00:20:13.718 To this day, we have never obeyed him. 00:20:14.828 --> 00:20:16.598 Oh, Israel says the Lord. 00:20:17.198 --> 00:20:19.718 If you wanted to return to me, you could. 00:20:20.438 --> 00:20:24.158 You could throw away your detestable idols and stray away. 00:20:24.158 --> 00:20:24.818 No more. 00:20:25.418 --> 00:20:30.488 Then when you swear by my name saying, as surely as the Lord lives, you 00:20:30.488 --> 00:20:35.378 could do so with truth, justice, and righteousness, then you would be a 00:20:35.378 --> 00:20:40.568 blessing to the nations of the world and all people would come and praise my name. 00:20:42.848 --> 00:20:46.208 This is what the Lord says to the people of Judah and Jerusalem. 00:20:47.528 --> 00:20:49.958 Plow up the hard ground of your hearts. 00:20:50.648 --> 00:20:53.138 Do not waste your good seed among thorns. 00:20:53.798 --> 00:20:57.818 Oh, people of Judah and Jerusalem, surrender your pride and power. 00:20:58.448 --> 00:21:03.398 Change your hearts before the Lord or my anger will burn like an unquenchable 00:21:03.398 --> 00:21:05.438 fire because of all your sins. 00:21:06.488 --> 00:21:09.518 Shout to Judah and broadcast to Jerusalem. 00:21:10.058 --> 00:21:12.638 Tell them to sound the alarm throughout the land. 00:21:13.118 --> 00:21:14.408 Run for your lives. 00:21:14.678 --> 00:21:16.598 Flee to the fortified cities. 00:21:17.048 --> 00:21:17.948 Raise a signal. 00:21:17.948 --> 00:21:19.808 Flag as a warning for Jerusalem. 00:21:20.018 --> 00:21:20.858 Flee now. 00:21:20.888 --> 00:21:21.818 Do not delay. 00:21:22.208 --> 00:21:25.358 For I am bringing terrible destruction upon you from the north. 00:21:26.378 --> 00:21:30.488 A lion stalks from its den a destroyer of nations. 00:21:31.328 --> 00:21:34.238 It has left its layer and is headed your way. 00:21:34.868 --> 00:21:36.638 It's going to devastate your land. 00:21:37.328 --> 00:21:41.378 Your towns will lie in ruins with no one living in them anymore. 00:21:42.308 --> 00:21:47.288 So put on clothes of mourning and weep with broken hearts for the fierce 00:21:47.288 --> 00:21:49.388 Anger of the Lord is still upon us. 00:21:50.378 --> 00:21:55.478 In that day says the Lord the king and the officials will tremble in fear. 00:21:56.108 --> 00:22:00.638 The priests will be struck with horror and the prophets will be appalled. 00:22:01.868 --> 00:22:06.578 Then I said, oh, sovereign Lord, the people have been deceived by 00:22:06.578 --> 00:22:10.838 what you said, for you promised peace for Jerusalem, but the 00:22:10.838 --> 00:22:12.548 sword is held at their throats. 00:22:13.538 --> 00:22:17.768 The time is coming when the Lord will say to the people of Jerusalem, my dear 00:22:17.773 --> 00:22:23.423 people, A burning wind is blowing in from the desert and it's not a gentle breeze. 00:22:23.513 --> 00:22:25.073 Useful for winnowing grain. 00:22:25.733 --> 00:22:28.343 It is a roaring blast sent by me. 00:22:29.243 --> 00:22:31.703 Now I will pronounce your destruction. 00:22:33.263 --> 00:22:36.353 Our enemy rushes down on us like storm clouds. 00:22:36.683 --> 00:22:38.783 His chariots are like whirlwinds. 00:22:38.963 --> 00:22:41.033 His horses are swifter than eagles. 00:22:42.143 --> 00:22:44.843 How terrible it will be for we are doomed. 00:22:46.313 --> 00:22:49.793 Jerusalem cleanse your heart that you may be saved. 00:22:50.363 --> 00:22:53.003 How long will you harbor your evil thoughts? 00:22:53.513 --> 00:22:58.103 Your destruction has been announced from Dan and the Hill country of Raim. 00:22:59.693 --> 00:23:03.503 Warn the surrounding nations and announce this to Jerusalem. 00:23:04.523 --> 00:23:07.823 The enemy is coming from a distant land raising a battle 00:23:07.823 --> 00:23:09.443 cry against the towns of Judah. 00:23:10.193 --> 00:23:13.073 They surround Jerusalem like Watchmen around a field. 00:23:13.673 --> 00:23:17.213 For my people have rebelled against me, says the Lord. 00:23:18.083 --> 00:23:20.423 Your own actions have brought this upon you. 00:23:20.993 --> 00:23:24.563 This punishment is bitter, piercing you to the heart. 00:23:25.703 --> 00:23:26.333 My heart. 00:23:26.963 --> 00:23:27.743 My heart. 00:23:28.013 --> 00:23:29.423 I arrive in pain. 00:23:30.113 --> 00:23:32.093 My heart pounds within me. 00:23:32.543 --> 00:23:37.463 I cannot be still for I have heard the blast of enemy trumpets and 00:23:37.463 --> 00:23:39.053 the roar of their battle cries. 00:23:39.728 --> 00:23:44.768 Waves of destruction roll over the land until it lies in complete desolation. 00:23:45.848 --> 00:23:47.678 Suddenly my tents are destroyed. 00:23:48.188 --> 00:23:50.438 In a moment, my shelters are crushed. 00:23:51.428 --> 00:23:55.028 How long must I see the battle flags and hear the trumpets of war? 00:23:56.168 --> 00:23:59.498 My people are foolish and do not know me, says the Lord. 00:24:00.338 --> 00:24:03.098 They are stupid children who have no understanding. 00:24:03.968 --> 00:24:05.948 They are clever enough at doing wrong. 00:24:06.923 --> 00:24:09.113 They have no idea how to do right. 00:24:10.823 --> 00:24:13.973 I looked at the earth and it was empty and formless. 00:24:15.113 --> 00:24:17.543 I looked at the heavens and there was no light. 00:24:18.413 --> 00:24:22.013 I looked at the mountains and hills and they trembled and shook. 00:24:22.823 --> 00:24:26.273 I looked and all the people were gone. 00:24:27.173 --> 00:24:29.423 All the birds of the sky had flown away. 00:24:30.203 --> 00:24:33.743 I looked and the fertile fields had become a wilderness. 00:24:34.463 --> 00:24:38.663 The towns lay in ruins crushed by the Lord's fierce anger. 00:24:39.743 --> 00:24:41.123 This is what the Lord says. 00:24:42.023 --> 00:24:46.403 The whole land will be ruined, but I will not destroy it completely. 00:24:46.973 --> 00:24:50.423 The earth will mourn and the heavens will be draped in black. 00:24:50.633 --> 00:24:54.113 Because of my decree against my people, I have made up my 00:24:54.113 --> 00:24:56.183 mind and will not change it. 00:24:57.233 --> 00:25:01.313 At the noise of chariot tears and archers, the people flee in terror. 00:25:01.943 --> 00:25:04.583 They hide in the bushes and run for the mountains. 00:25:05.303 --> 00:25:07.133 All the towns have been abandoned. 00:25:07.613 --> 00:25:08.933 Not a person remains. 00:25:10.463 --> 00:25:11.363 What are you doing? 00:25:11.753 --> 00:25:13.103 You who have been plundered? 00:25:13.853 --> 00:25:17.423 Why do you dress up in beautiful clothing and put on gold jewelry? 00:25:17.963 --> 00:25:20.153 Why do you brighten your eyes with mascara? 00:25:20.813 --> 00:25:22.583 Your primping will do you no good. 00:25:23.603 --> 00:25:28.163 The allies who were your lovers despise you and seek to kill you. 00:25:29.753 --> 00:25:32.663 I hear a cry like that of a woman in labor. 00:25:33.053 --> 00:25:36.083 The groans of a woman giving birth to her first child. 00:25:37.073 --> 00:25:41.903 It is beautiful Jerusalem, gasping for breath and crying out, help. 00:25:42.473 --> 00:25:43.613 I'm being murdered. 00:25:45.113 --> 00:25:48.443 Run up and down every street in Jerusalem, says the Lord. 00:25:48.773 --> 00:25:50.003 Look high and low. 00:25:50.423 --> 00:25:51.953 Search throughout the city. 00:25:52.733 --> 00:25:56.663 If you can find even one, just an honest person. 00:25:57.263 --> 00:25:58.913 I will not destroy the city. 00:26:00.383 --> 00:26:05.003 But even when they are under oath saying, as surely as the Lord lives, 00:26:05.753 --> 00:26:11.363 they're still telling lies, Lord, you are searching for honesty. 00:26:12.113 --> 00:26:15.263 You struck your people, but they paid no attention. 00:26:15.833 --> 00:26:19.493 You crushed them, but they refused to be corrected. 00:26:20.423 --> 00:26:23.333 They are determined with faces set like stone. 00:26:24.173 --> 00:26:25.973 They have refused to repent. 00:26:26.978 --> 00:26:30.098 Then I said, but what can we expect from the poor? 00:26:30.638 --> 00:26:31.628 They are ignorant. 00:26:32.078 --> 00:26:33.578 They don't know the ways of the Lord. 00:26:33.908 --> 00:26:35.768 They don't understand God's laws. 00:26:36.548 --> 00:26:38.348 So I will go and speak to their leaders. 00:26:38.708 --> 00:26:42.098 Surely they know the ways of the Lord and understand God's laws. 00:26:43.448 --> 00:26:49.568 But the leaders too, as one man had thrown off God's yoke and broken his chains. 00:26:50.843 --> 00:26:53.783 So now a lion from the forest will attack them. 00:26:54.263 --> 00:26:56.963 A wolf from the desert will pounce on them. 00:26:57.533 --> 00:27:01.253 A leopard will lurk near their towns, tearing apart any who dare 00:27:01.253 --> 00:27:06.563 to venture out for their rebellion is great, and their sins are many. 00:27:06.923 --> 00:27:11.693 How can I pardon you for even Your children have turned from me. 00:27:12.383 --> 00:27:15.083 They have sworn by gods that are not Gods at all. 00:27:15.878 --> 00:27:20.198 I fed my people until they were full, but they thanked me by committing 00:27:20.198 --> 00:27:22.928 adultery and lining up at the brothels. 00:27:23.648 --> 00:27:28.778 They're well fed lusty stallions, each naying for his neighbor's wife. 00:27:30.038 --> 00:27:31.808 Should I not punish them for this? 00:27:32.408 --> 00:27:33.218 Says the Lord. 00:27:34.058 --> 00:27:38.858 Should I not avenge myself against such a nation, go down the rows of the 00:27:38.858 --> 00:27:43.568 vineyards and destroy the grapevines, leaving a scattered few alive. 00:27:44.303 --> 00:27:48.653 Strip the branches from the vines for these people do not belong to the Lord. 00:27:49.523 --> 00:27:54.593 The people of Israel and Judah are full of treachery against me, says the Lord. 00:27:55.403 --> 00:27:58.793 They have lied about the Lord and said he won't bother us. 00:27:59.453 --> 00:28:01.523 No disasters will come upon us. 00:28:01.733 --> 00:28:03.543 There will be no war or famine. 00:28:04.193 --> 00:28:07.493 God's prophets are all windbags who don't really speak for him. 00:28:08.033 --> 00:28:10.913 Let their predictions of disaster fall on themselves. 00:28:12.688 --> 00:28:15.503 This concludes today's Immerse Reading experience. 00:28:15.653 --> 00:28:16.883 Thank you for joining us.