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 --> 00:00:04.420 Day 200 and 63 00:00:04.766 --> 00:00:06.956 the Lord gave another message to Jeremiah. 00:00:07.376 --> 00:00:11.336 He said, remind the people of Judah and Jerusalem about the 00:00:11.336 --> 00:00:12.866 terms of my covenant with them. 00:00:13.406 --> 00:00:17.276 Say to them, this is what the Lord the God of Israel says. 00:00:17.756 --> 00:00:20.846 Cursed is anyone who does not obey the terms of my covenant. 00:00:21.206 --> 00:00:24.746 For I said to your ancestors when I brought them out of the iron smelting 00:00:24.746 --> 00:00:27.416 furnace of Egypt, if you obey me. 00:00:27.971 --> 00:00:33.011 Do whatever I command you, then you will be my people and I will be your God. 00:00:33.851 --> 00:00:37.571 I said this so I could keep my promise to your ancestors to give 00:00:37.571 --> 00:00:41.531 you a land flowing with milk and honey, the land you live in today. 00:00:42.611 --> 00:00:48.341 Then I replied, amen Lord, may it be so Then the Lord said. 00:00:49.226 --> 00:00:51.926 Broadcast this message in the streets of Jerusalem. 00:00:52.466 --> 00:00:57.626 Go from town to town throughout the land and say, remember the ancient covenant 00:00:57.866 --> 00:01:00.536 and do everything it requires for. 00:01:00.536 --> 00:01:05.216 I solemnly warned your ancestors when I brought them out of Egypt, obey me. 00:01:05.996 --> 00:01:10.496 I have repeated this warning over and over to this day, but your ancestors 00:01:10.496 --> 00:01:12.776 did not listen or even pay attention. 00:01:13.766 --> 00:01:18.416 Instead, they stubbornly followed their own evil desires, and because they 00:01:18.416 --> 00:01:23.846 refused to obey, I brought upon them all the curses described in this covenant. 00:01:25.016 --> 00:01:29.606 Again, the Lord spoke to me and said, I have discovered a conspiracy against me 00:01:29.816 --> 00:01:32.036 among the people of Judah and Jerusalem. 00:01:32.696 --> 00:01:35.186 They have returned to the sins of their ancestors. 00:01:35.696 --> 00:01:39.236 They have refused to listen to me and are worshiping other gods. 00:01:39.926 --> 00:01:44.246 Israel and Judah have both broken the covenant I made with their ancestors. 00:01:44.966 --> 00:01:47.396 Therefore, this is what the Lord says. 00:01:47.936 --> 00:01:51.446 I'm going to bring calamity upon them and they will not escape. 00:01:52.046 --> 00:01:55.526 Though they beg for mercy, I will not listen to their cries. 00:01:56.396 --> 00:02:00.536 Then the people of Judah and Jerusalem will pray to their idols and burn 00:02:00.536 --> 00:02:05.066 incense before them, but the idols will not save them when disastrous strikes. 00:02:06.281 --> 00:02:10.361 Look now people of Judah, you have as many gods as you have towns. 00:02:10.871 --> 00:02:15.731 You have as many altars of shame altars for burning incense to your God. 00:02:16.181 --> 00:02:18.431 Baal as there are streets in Jerusalem. 00:02:19.931 --> 00:02:21.521 Pray no more for these people. 00:02:21.521 --> 00:02:26.441 Jeremiah do not weep or pray for them for, I will not listen to them 00:02:26.471 --> 00:02:28.271 when they cry out to me in distress. 00:02:29.336 --> 00:02:32.756 What right do my beloved people have to come to my temple? 00:02:33.266 --> 00:02:37.616 When they have done so many immoral things, can their vows and 00:02:37.616 --> 00:02:39.866 sacrifices prevent their destruction? 00:02:40.646 --> 00:02:43.316 They actually rejoice in doing evil. 00:02:44.066 --> 00:02:48.186 I the Lord once called them a thriving olive tree, beautiful 00:02:48.446 --> 00:02:50.486 to see, and full of good fruit. 00:02:51.266 --> 00:02:55.376 But now I have sent the fury of their enemies to burn them with fire, 00:02:55.766 --> 00:02:57.446 leaving them charred and broken. 00:02:58.796 --> 00:03:03.656 I, the Lord of Heaven's armies who planted this olive tree, have ordered 00:03:03.656 --> 00:03:08.786 it destroyed for the people of Israel, and Judah have done evil, arousing 00:03:08.786 --> 00:03:11.216 my anger by burning incense to Baal. 00:03:12.926 --> 00:03:16.256 Then the Lord told me about the plots my enemies were making against me. 00:03:16.996 --> 00:03:19.196 I was like a lamb being led to the slaughter. 00:03:19.406 --> 00:03:21.566 I had no idea that they were planning to kill me. 00:03:22.526 --> 00:03:27.116 Let's destroy this man and all his words, they said, let's cut him down 00:03:27.206 --> 00:03:29.246 so his name will be forgotten forever. 00:03:30.356 --> 00:03:34.796 Oh Lord of heaven's armies, you make righteous judgements and you examine 00:03:34.796 --> 00:03:36.476 the deepest thoughts and secrets. 00:03:37.106 --> 00:03:41.066 Let me see your vengeance against them for I have committed my cause to you. 00:03:42.626 --> 00:03:46.616 This is what the Lord says about the man of Anth who wanted me dead. 00:03:47.291 --> 00:03:51.881 They had said, we will kill you if you do not stop prophesying in the Lord's name. 00:03:52.691 --> 00:03:55.751 So this is what the Lord of Heaven's armies says about them. 00:03:56.771 --> 00:03:57.731 I will punish them. 00:03:58.301 --> 00:04:02.831 Their young men will die in battle and their boys and girls will starve to death. 00:04:03.371 --> 00:04:08.291 Not one of these plotters from AU will survive for I will bring disaster upon 00:04:08.291 --> 00:04:10.041 them when their time of punishment comes. 00:04:11.351 --> 00:04:14.891 Lord, you always give me justice when I bring a case before you. 00:04:15.461 --> 00:04:17.171 So let me bring you this complaint. 00:04:18.161 --> 00:04:19.901 Why are the wicked so prosperous? 00:04:20.561 --> 00:04:22.661 Why are evil people so happy? 00:04:23.771 --> 00:04:27.251 You have planted them and they have taken root and prospered. 00:04:27.881 --> 00:04:31.421 Your name is on their lips, but you are far from their hearts. 00:04:32.501 --> 00:04:37.301 But as for me, Lord, you know my heart, you see me and test my thoughts. 00:04:38.276 --> 00:04:41.096 Drag these people away like sheep to be butchered. 00:04:41.576 --> 00:04:43.406 Set them aside to be slaughtered. 00:04:44.216 --> 00:04:46.136 How long must this land mourn? 00:04:46.676 --> 00:04:48.806 Even the grass in the fields has withered. 00:04:49.346 --> 00:04:52.376 The wild animals and birds have disappeared because 00:04:52.376 --> 00:04:53.576 of the evil in the land. 00:04:54.056 --> 00:04:58.106 For the people have said, the Lord doesn't see what's ahead for us. 00:04:59.756 --> 00:05:04.856 If racing against mere men makes you tired, how will you race against horses? 00:05:05.471 --> 00:05:09.611 If you stumble and fall on open ground, what will you do in the thickets near 00:05:09.611 --> 00:05:15.071 the Jordan, even your brothers members of your own family have turned against you. 00:05:15.701 --> 00:05:17.891 They plot and raise complaints against you. 00:05:18.611 --> 00:05:22.091 Do not trust them no matter how pleasantly they speak. 00:05:22.481 --> 00:05:26.141 I have abandoned my people, my special possession. 00:05:26.801 --> 00:05:29.471 I have surrendered my dearest ones to their enemies. 00:05:30.191 --> 00:05:34.181 My chosen people have roared at me like a lion of the forest, so 00:05:34.181 --> 00:05:35.771 I have treated them with contempt. 00:05:36.251 --> 00:05:41.351 My chosen people act like speckled vultures, but they themselves are 00:05:41.356 --> 00:05:46.721 surrounded by vultures, bring on the wild animals to pick their corpses clean. 00:05:48.131 --> 00:05:52.631 Many rulers have ravaged my vineyard, trampling down the vines, and turning 00:05:52.631 --> 00:05:54.731 all its beauty into a barren wilderness. 00:05:55.361 --> 00:05:57.131 They have made it an empty wasteland. 00:05:58.016 --> 00:05:59.666 I hear it's mournful cry. 00:06:00.086 --> 00:06:05.966 The whole land is desolate and no one even caress on all the bare hilltops 00:06:06.146 --> 00:06:08.036 destroying armies can be seen. 00:06:08.726 --> 00:06:12.956 The sword of the Lord devours people from one end of the nation to the other. 00:06:13.916 --> 00:06:15.266 No one will escape. 00:06:16.136 --> 00:06:19.646 My people have planted wheat but are harvesting thorns. 00:06:20.276 --> 00:06:23.076 They have worn themselves out, but it has done them no good. 00:06:23.876 --> 00:06:28.346 They will harvest a crop of shame because of the fierce anger of the Lord. 00:06:29.426 --> 00:06:31.016 Now, this is what the Lord says. 00:06:31.556 --> 00:06:35.786 I will uproot from their land, all the evil nations reaching out for the 00:06:35.786 --> 00:06:40.976 possession I gave my people Israel, and I will uproot Judah from among them. 00:06:41.376 --> 00:06:46.766 But afterward, I will return and have compassion on all of them. 00:06:47.366 --> 00:06:52.346 I will bring them home to their own lands, again, each nation, to its own possession. 00:06:53.006 --> 00:06:53.036 I. 00:06:53.036 --> 00:06:57.926 And if these nations truly learn the ways of my people, and if they learn to swear 00:06:57.926 --> 00:07:02.966 by my name saying, as surely as the Lord lives, just as they taught my people 00:07:02.971 --> 00:07:07.466 to swear by the name of Baal, then they will be given a place among my people. 00:07:08.306 --> 00:07:13.166 But any nation who refuses to obey me will be uprooted and destroyed. 00:07:13.946 --> 00:07:15.596 I the Lord have spoken. 00:07:17.216 --> 00:07:18.686 This is what the Lord said to me. 00:07:19.826 --> 00:07:23.936 Go and buy a linen loin cloth and put it on, but do not wash it. 00:07:24.926 --> 00:07:28.526 So I bought the loin cloth as the Lord directed me and I put it on. 00:07:29.456 --> 00:07:31.166 Then the Lord gave me another message. 00:07:31.766 --> 00:07:35.516 Take the linen loin cloth you are wearing and go to the Euphrates River. 00:07:35.996 --> 00:07:38.036 Hide it there in a hole in the rocks. 00:07:38.936 --> 00:07:42.806 So I went and hid it by the Euphrates as the Lord had instructed me. 00:07:43.856 --> 00:07:47.366 A long time afterward, the Lord said to me, go back to the 00:07:47.366 --> 00:07:49.256 Euphrates and get the loin cloth. 00:07:49.256 --> 00:07:50.276 I told you to hide there. 00:07:51.056 --> 00:07:54.596 So I went to the Euphrates and dug it out of the hole where I had hidden it, 00:07:55.376 --> 00:07:57.356 but now it was rotting and falling apart. 00:07:57.776 --> 00:07:59.396 The loin cloth was good for nothing. 00:08:00.416 --> 00:08:02.516 Then I received this message from the Lord. 00:08:03.386 --> 00:08:04.796 This is what the Lord says. 00:08:05.606 --> 00:08:09.266 This shows how I will rot away the pride of Judah and Jerusalem. 00:08:09.911 --> 00:08:12.431 These wicked people refuse to listen to me. 00:08:12.791 --> 00:08:16.391 They stubbornly follow their own desires and worship other gods. 00:08:16.901 --> 00:08:18.881 Therefore, they will become like this. 00:08:18.881 --> 00:08:24.431 Loincloth good for nothing as a loin cloth clings to a man's waist. 00:08:24.641 --> 00:08:28.661 So I created Judah and Israel to clinging to me, says the Lord. 00:08:29.351 --> 00:08:34.691 They were to be my people, my pride, my glory, and honor to my name, 00:08:35.741 --> 00:08:36.941 but they would not listen to me. 00:08:38.021 --> 00:08:38.741 So tell them. 00:08:39.356 --> 00:08:41.816 This is what the Lord, the God of Israel says. 00:08:42.866 --> 00:08:46.796 May all your jars be filled with wine and they will reply. 00:08:46.946 --> 00:08:49.946 Of course, jars are made to be filled with wine. 00:08:50.696 --> 00:08:54.746 Then tell them, no, this is what the Lord means. 00:08:55.526 --> 00:08:59.756 I will fill everyone in this land with drunkenness from the king 00:08:59.756 --> 00:09:04.166 sitting on David's throne to the priests and the prophets right down 00:09:04.166 --> 00:09:05.756 to the common people of Jerusalem. 00:09:06.566 --> 00:09:08.336 I will smash them against each other. 00:09:08.486 --> 00:09:11.006 Even parents against children says the Lord. 00:09:11.606 --> 00:09:16.526 I will not let my pity, or mercy or compassion keep me from destroying them. 00:09:17.726 --> 00:09:19.976 Listen and pay attention. 00:09:20.846 --> 00:09:22.106 Do not be arrogant. 00:09:22.586 --> 00:09:27.956 For the Lord has spoken, give glory to the Lord your God before it is too late. 00:09:28.766 --> 00:09:33.686 Acknowledge him before He brings darkness upon you, causing you to stumble 00:09:33.686 --> 00:09:35.636 and fall on the darkening mountains. 00:09:36.221 --> 00:09:41.531 For then when you look for light, you will find only terrible darkness and gloom. 00:09:42.131 --> 00:09:46.001 And if you still refuse to listen, I will weep alone. 00:09:46.151 --> 00:09:51.671 Because of your pride, my eyes will overflow with tears because the Lord's 00:09:51.671 --> 00:09:53.711 flock will be led away into exile. 00:09:55.061 --> 00:09:59.501 Say to the king and his mother, come down from your thrones and sit in the 00:09:59.501 --> 00:10:04.211 dust for your glorious crowns will soon be snatched from your heads. 00:10:04.976 --> 00:10:08.366 The towns of the Negev will close their gates and no one 00:10:08.366 --> 00:10:09.566 will be able to open them. 00:10:10.106 --> 00:10:12.866 The people of Judah will be taken away as captives. 00:10:13.496 --> 00:10:15.386 All will be carried into exile. 00:10:16.766 --> 00:10:20.936 Open up your eyes and see the armies marching down from the north. 00:10:21.806 --> 00:10:22.946 Where is your flock? 00:10:23.366 --> 00:10:26.726 Your beautiful flock that he gave you to care for? 00:10:27.716 --> 00:10:31.046 What will you say when the Lord takes the allies, you have cultivated 00:10:31.256 --> 00:10:32.876 and appoints them as your rulers? 00:10:33.761 --> 00:10:37.301 Pangs of anguish will grip you like those of a woman in labor. 00:10:37.931 --> 00:10:40.841 You may ask yourself, why is all this happening to me? 00:10:41.561 --> 00:10:43.421 It is because of your many sins. 00:10:44.141 --> 00:10:47.681 That is why you have been stripped and raped by invading armies. 00:10:48.701 --> 00:10:51.191 Can an Ethiopian change the color of his skin? 00:10:51.701 --> 00:10:53.681 Can a leopard take away spots? 00:10:54.401 --> 00:10:57.431 Neither can you start doing good for you. 00:10:57.431 --> 00:10:58.811 Have always done evil. 00:10:59.921 --> 00:11:03.731 I will scatter you like chaff that is blown away by the desert winds. 00:11:04.451 --> 00:11:05.591 This is your allotment. 00:11:05.861 --> 00:11:10.781 The portion I have assigned to you says the Lord, for you have forgotten me. 00:11:11.081 --> 00:11:16.871 Putting your trust in false gods, I myself will strip you and expose you to shame. 00:11:17.381 --> 00:11:21.791 I have seen your adultery and lust and your disgusting idol worship 00:11:22.151 --> 00:11:24.161 out in the fields and on the hills. 00:11:25.151 --> 00:11:26.681 What sorrow awaits you? 00:11:26.686 --> 00:11:27.431 Jerusalem. 00:11:28.241 --> 00:11:30.221 How long before you are pure? 00:11:31.721 --> 00:11:35.321 This message came to Jeremiah from the Lord explaining why 00:11:35.321 --> 00:11:36.821 he was holding back the reign. 00:11:37.841 --> 00:11:42.341 Judah Wilts commerce at the city gates grinds to a halt. 00:11:42.941 --> 00:11:46.091 All the people sit on the ground in mourning and a great 00:11:46.091 --> 00:11:47.981 cry rises from Jerusalem. 00:11:48.821 --> 00:11:52.691 The nobles send servants to get water, but all the wells are dry. 00:11:53.501 --> 00:11:57.221 The servants return with empty pitchers confused and desperate. 00:11:57.626 --> 00:12:03.476 Covering their heads in grief, the ground is parched and cracked for lack of rain. 00:12:04.166 --> 00:12:05.786 The farmers are deeply troubled. 00:12:06.386 --> 00:12:08.126 They too cover their heads. 00:12:08.936 --> 00:12:14.186 Even the dough abandons her newborn fawn because there is no grass in the field. 00:12:14.966 --> 00:12:19.766 The wild donkeys stand on the bare hills panting like thirsty jackals. 00:12:20.366 --> 00:12:24.596 They strain their eyes looking for grass, but there is none to be found. 00:12:26.021 --> 00:12:31.061 The people say, our wickedness has caught up with us Lord, but help us 00:12:31.181 --> 00:12:35.021 for the sake of your own reputation, we have turned away from you and 00:12:35.021 --> 00:12:36.911 sinned against you again and again. 00:12:37.721 --> 00:12:40.991 Oh, hope of Israel our Savior in times of trouble. 00:12:41.261 --> 00:12:43.091 Why are you like a stranger to us? 00:12:43.751 --> 00:12:46.151 Why are you like a traveler passing through the land, 00:12:46.481 --> 00:12:47.801 stopping only for the night? 00:12:48.851 --> 00:12:50.291 Are you also confused? 00:12:50.951 --> 00:12:53.291 Is our champion helpless to save us? 00:12:53.996 --> 00:12:55.376 You are right here among us. 00:12:55.376 --> 00:12:57.926 Lord, we are known as your people. 00:12:58.736 --> 00:13:00.506 Please don't abandon us now. 00:13:01.526 --> 00:13:03.656 So this is what the Lord says to his people. 00:13:04.526 --> 00:13:08.546 You love to wander far from me and do not restrain yourselves. 00:13:09.026 --> 00:13:13.436 Therefore, I will no longer accept you as my people now. 00:13:13.436 --> 00:13:17.786 I will remember all your wickedness and will punish you for your sins. 00:13:18.866 --> 00:13:22.616 Then the Lord said to me, do not pray for these people anymore. 00:13:23.186 --> 00:13:25.526 When they fast, I will pay no attention. 00:13:26.126 --> 00:13:28.736 When they present their burnt offerings and grain offerings 00:13:28.736 --> 00:13:30.386 to me, I will not accept them. 00:13:31.226 --> 00:13:36.956 Instead, I will devour them with war, famine, and disease. 00:13:37.916 --> 00:13:43.466 Then I said, oh, sovereign Lord, their prophets are telling them all is well. 00:13:43.676 --> 00:13:45.776 No war or famine will come. 00:13:46.166 --> 00:13:48.026 The Lord will surely send you peace. 00:13:49.076 --> 00:13:52.976 Then the Lord said, These prophets are telling lies in my name. 00:13:53.606 --> 00:13:56.096 I did not send them or tell them to speak. 00:13:56.606 --> 00:13:58.256 I did not give them any messages. 00:13:58.916 --> 00:14:01.226 They prophesy of visions and revelations. 00:14:01.226 --> 00:14:02.696 They have never seen or heard. 00:14:03.296 --> 00:14:07.106 They speak foolishness, made up in their own lying hearts. 00:14:08.066 --> 00:14:10.556 Therefore, this is what the Lord says. 00:14:11.156 --> 00:14:15.206 I will punish these lying prophets for they have spoken in my name 00:14:15.716 --> 00:14:17.036 even though I never sent them. 00:14:17.921 --> 00:14:22.001 They say that no war or famine will come, but they themselves 00:14:22.181 --> 00:14:23.891 will die by war and famine. 00:14:24.641 --> 00:14:28.931 As for the people to whom they prophesy, their bodies will be thrown 00:14:28.931 --> 00:14:34.361 out into the streets of Jerusalem, victims of famine and war, there 00:14:34.361 --> 00:14:36.011 will be no one left to bury them. 00:14:36.581 --> 00:14:42.131 Husbands, wives, sons and daughters, all will be gone for. 00:14:42.131 --> 00:14:44.441 I will pour out their wickedness on them. 00:14:45.521 --> 00:14:46.691 Now, Jeremiah. 00:14:47.141 --> 00:14:53.171 Say this to them, night and day, my eyes overflow with tears. 00:14:54.101 --> 00:14:56.831 I cannot stop weeping for my virgin daughter. 00:14:57.101 --> 00:15:02.231 My precious people has been struck down and lies mortally wounded. 00:15:03.101 --> 00:15:07.661 If I go out into the fields, I see the bodies of people slaughtered by the enemy. 00:15:08.411 --> 00:15:12.671 If I walk the city streets, I see people who have died of starvation. 00:15:13.391 --> 00:15:16.901 The prophets and priests continue with their work, but they 00:15:16.901 --> 00:15:18.101 don't know what they're doing. 00:15:19.331 --> 00:15:22.061 Lord, have you completely rejected Judah? 00:15:22.961 --> 00:15:24.851 Do you really hate Jerusalem? 00:15:26.111 --> 00:15:29.081 Why have you wounded us past all hope of healing? 00:15:29.921 --> 00:15:32.771 We hoped for peace, but no peace came. 00:15:33.401 --> 00:15:36.881 We hoped for a time of healing, but found only terror. 00:15:37.631 --> 00:15:41.861 Lord, we confess our wickedness and that of our ancestors too. 00:15:42.521 --> 00:15:46.511 We all have sinned against you for the sake of your reputation. 00:15:46.516 --> 00:15:48.281 Lord, do not abandon us. 00:15:48.941 --> 00:15:51.521 Do not disgrace your own glorious throne. 00:15:52.421 --> 00:15:56.591 Please remember us and do not break your covenant with us. 00:15:57.641 --> 00:16:01.301 Can any of the worthless foreign gods send us rain? 00:16:02.051 --> 00:16:04.091 Does it fall from the sky by itself? 00:16:04.961 --> 00:16:05.471 No. 00:16:05.921 --> 00:16:07.091 You are the one. 00:16:07.121 --> 00:16:08.501 Oh Lord our God. 00:16:08.831 --> 00:16:10.631 Only you can do such things. 00:16:11.816 --> 00:16:14.006 So we will wait for you to help us. 00:16:15.716 --> 00:16:19.886 Then the Lord said to me, even if Moses and Samuel stood before 00:16:19.886 --> 00:16:24.476 me pleading for these people, I wouldn't help them away with them. 00:16:25.166 --> 00:16:26.336 Get them out of my sight. 00:16:27.086 --> 00:16:30.086 And if they say to you, but where can we go? 00:16:30.836 --> 00:16:33.116 Tell them this is what the Lord says. 00:16:33.896 --> 00:16:40.226 Those who are destined for death to death, those who are destined for war to war. 00:16:41.066 --> 00:16:45.776 Those who are destined for famine to famine, those who are destined 00:16:45.776 --> 00:16:51.686 for captivity to captivity, I will send four kinds of destroyers 00:16:51.686 --> 00:16:53.636 against them, says the Lord. 00:16:54.326 --> 00:16:59.876 I will send the sword to kill the dogs, to drag away the vultures to devour 00:17:00.356 --> 00:17:05.936 and the wild animals to finish up what is left because of the wicked things. 00:17:05.936 --> 00:17:09.866 Manasses son of Hezekiah, king of Judah, did in Jerusalem. 00:17:10.511 --> 00:17:14.561 I will make my people an object of horror to all the kingdoms of the earth. 00:17:15.521 --> 00:17:16.931 Who will feel sorry for you? 00:17:16.931 --> 00:17:19.481 Jerusalem, who will weep for you? 00:17:19.931 --> 00:17:22.151 Who will even bother to ask how you are? 00:17:22.871 --> 00:17:27.341 You have abandoned me and turned your back on me, says the Lord. 00:17:28.361 --> 00:17:31.661 Therefore, I will raise my fist to destroy you. 00:17:32.321 --> 00:17:34.691 I'm tired of always giving you another chance. 00:17:35.366 --> 00:17:39.146 I will winnow you like grain at the gates of your cities and take 00:17:39.146 --> 00:17:40.796 away the children you hold Dear. 00:17:41.726 --> 00:17:46.916 I will destroy my own people because they refuse to change their evil ways. 00:17:47.906 --> 00:17:51.626 There will be more widows than the grains of sand on the seashore. 00:17:51.936 --> 00:17:56.636 At noontime, I will bring a destroyer against the mothers of young men. 00:17:57.266 --> 00:18:00.656 I will cause anguish and terror to come upon them suddenly. 00:18:01.586 --> 00:18:05.186 The mother of seven grows faint and gasps for breath. 00:18:05.756 --> 00:18:08.276 Her son has gone down while it is still. 00:18:08.276 --> 00:18:08.666 Day. 00:18:09.266 --> 00:18:15.266 She sits childless now, disgraced and humiliated, and I will hand over those 00:18:15.266 --> 00:18:17.546 who are left to be killed by the enemy. 00:18:18.446 --> 00:18:20.336 I, the Lord have spoken. 00:18:21.926 --> 00:18:25.046 Then I said, what sorrow is mine? 00:18:25.166 --> 00:18:28.676 My mother, oh, that I had died at birth. 00:18:29.666 --> 00:18:31.406 I am hated everywhere I go. 00:18:31.976 --> 00:18:35.606 I am neither a lender who threatens to foreclose, nor a 00:18:35.606 --> 00:18:37.586 borrower who refuses to pay. 00:18:38.576 --> 00:18:39.866 Yet they all curse me. 00:18:41.006 --> 00:18:43.466 The Lord replied, I will take care of you. 00:18:43.556 --> 00:18:47.666 Jeremiah, your enemies will ask you to plead on their behalf in 00:18:47.666 --> 00:18:49.256 times of trouble and distress. 00:18:50.036 --> 00:18:53.846 Can a man break a bar of iron from the north or a bar of 00:18:53.846 --> 00:18:56.696 bronze at no cost to them? 00:18:57.071 --> 00:19:01.121 I will hand over your wealth and treasures as plunder to your enemies. 00:19:01.931 --> 00:19:04.301 For sin runs rampant in your land. 00:19:05.231 --> 00:19:08.801 I will tell your enemies to take you as captive to a foreign land. 00:19:09.281 --> 00:19:13.001 For my anger, blazes like a fire that will burn forever. 00:19:14.351 --> 00:19:17.591 Then I said, Lord, you know what's happening to me. 00:19:18.131 --> 00:19:21.251 Please step in and help me punish my persecutor. 00:19:22.001 --> 00:19:23.321 Please give me time. 00:19:23.531 --> 00:19:24.851 Don't let me die young. 00:19:25.766 --> 00:19:27.716 It's for your sake that I'm suffering. 00:19:28.496 --> 00:19:31.166 When I discovered your words, I devoured them. 00:19:31.646 --> 00:19:35.516 They are my joy and my heart's delight for I bear your name, 00:19:36.026 --> 00:19:38.156 oh Lord God of heaven's armies. 00:19:38.876 --> 00:19:41.396 I never joined the people in their merry feasts. 00:19:41.786 --> 00:19:44.606 I sat alone because your hand was on me. 00:19:45.266 --> 00:19:47.726 I was filled with indignation at their sins. 00:19:48.356 --> 00:19:50.426 Why then does my suffering continue? 00:19:51.056 --> 00:19:53.306 Why is my wound so incurable? 00:19:54.476 --> 00:20:00.266 Your help seems as uncertain as a seasonal brook, like a spring that has gone dry. 00:20:01.346 --> 00:20:02.906 This is how the Lord responds. 00:20:03.866 --> 00:20:09.026 If you return to me, I will restore you so you can continue to serve me. 00:20:09.926 --> 00:20:14.816 If you speak good words rather than worthless ones, you will be my spokesman. 00:20:15.566 --> 00:20:17.366 You must influence them. 00:20:17.966 --> 00:20:19.826 Do not let them influence you. 00:20:20.681 --> 00:20:24.671 They will fight against you like an attacking army, but I will make you as 00:20:24.671 --> 00:20:27.161 secure as a fortified wall of bronze. 00:20:27.971 --> 00:20:29.351 They will not conquer you. 00:20:29.921 --> 00:20:32.741 For I am with you to protect and rescue you. 00:20:33.701 --> 00:20:35.321 I the Lord have spoken. 00:20:36.611 --> 00:20:37.031 Yes. 00:20:37.031 --> 00:20:40.001 I will certainly keep you safe from these wicked men. 00:20:40.631 --> 00:20:43.301 I will rescue you from their cruel hands. 00:20:44.891 --> 00:20:47.621 The Lord gave me another message he said. 00:20:48.356 --> 00:20:51.326 Do not get married or have children in this place. 00:20:51.926 --> 00:20:55.406 For this is what the Lord says about the children born here in this city 00:20:55.766 --> 00:20:57.506 and about their mothers and fathers. 00:20:58.346 --> 00:21:00.506 They will die from terrible diseases. 00:21:01.166 --> 00:21:04.916 No one will mourn for them or bury them, and they will lie 00:21:04.916 --> 00:21:06.446 scattered on the ground like manure. 00:21:07.236 --> 00:21:11.186 They will die from war and famine, and their bodies will be food for 00:21:11.186 --> 00:21:13.256 the vultures and wild animals. 00:21:14.066 --> 00:21:15.356 This is what the Lord says. 00:21:16.346 --> 00:21:19.976 Do not go to funerals, to mourn and show sympathy for these people. 00:21:20.696 --> 00:21:23.606 For I have removed my protection and peace from them. 00:21:24.416 --> 00:21:27.386 I have taken away my unfailing love and my mercy. 00:21:28.046 --> 00:21:31.556 Both the great and the lowly will die in this land. 00:21:32.336 --> 00:21:34.526 No one will bury them or mourn for them. 00:21:35.396 --> 00:21:39.836 Their friends will not cut themselves in sorrow or shave their heads in sadness. 00:21:40.436 --> 00:21:43.886 No one will offer a meal to comfort those who mourn for the dead. 00:21:44.681 --> 00:21:46.841 Not even at the death of a mother or father. 00:21:47.711 --> 00:21:52.511 No one will send a cup of wine to console them and do not go to 00:21:52.511 --> 00:21:56.381 their feasts and parties do not eat and drink with them at all. 00:21:57.101 --> 00:22:01.631 For this is what the Lord of Heaven's armies, the God of Israel says, in 00:22:01.636 --> 00:22:06.881 your own lifetime, before your very eyes, I will put an end to the happy 00:22:06.881 --> 00:22:08.711 singing and laughter in this land. 00:22:09.311 --> 00:22:13.571 The joyful voices of bridegrooms and brides will no longer be heard. 00:22:14.501 --> 00:22:18.371 When you tell the people all these things, they will ask, why has the Lord 00:22:18.371 --> 00:22:20.951 decreed such terrible things against us? 00:22:21.551 --> 00:22:23.591 What have we done to deserve such treatment? 00:22:24.131 --> 00:22:26.111 What is our sin against the Lord our God? 00:22:27.191 --> 00:22:29.501 Then you will give them the Lord's reply. 00:22:30.221 --> 00:22:32.772 It is because your ancestors were unfaithful to me. 00:22:33.581 --> 00:22:35.951 They worshiped other gods and served them. 00:22:36.641 --> 00:22:41.951 They abandoned me and did not obey my word, and you are even 00:22:41.951 --> 00:22:43.121 worse than your ancestors. 00:22:44.216 --> 00:22:48.686 You stubbornly follow your own evil desires and refuse to listen to me. 00:22:49.616 --> 00:22:54.446 So I will throw you out of this land and send you into a foreign land where you 00:22:54.446 --> 00:22:57.446 and your ancestors have never been there. 00:22:57.446 --> 00:23:03.446 You can worship idols day and night, and I will grant you no favors, but 00:23:03.446 --> 00:23:05.246 the time is coming says the Lord. 00:23:05.606 --> 00:23:11.096 When people who are taking an oath will no longer say as surely as the Lord lives. 00:23:11.456 --> 00:23:14.426 Who rescued the people of Israel from the land of Egypt. 00:23:15.266 --> 00:23:19.916 Instead, they will say, as surely as the Lord lives, who brought the people 00:23:19.916 --> 00:23:24.536 of Israel back to their own land, from the land of the North and from all 00:23:24.536 --> 00:23:28.946 the countries to which he had exiled them for, I will bring them back to 00:23:28.946 --> 00:23:31.196 this land that I gave their ancestors. 00:23:32.246 --> 00:23:36.806 But now I'm sending for many fishermen who will catch them, says the Lord. 00:23:37.541 --> 00:23:40.631 I am sending for hunters who will hunt them down in the 00:23:40.631 --> 00:23:42.971 mountains, hills, and caves. 00:23:43.811 --> 00:23:47.081 I am watching them closely and I see every sin. 00:23:47.891 --> 00:23:49.871 They cannot hope to hide from me. 00:23:50.651 --> 00:23:54.641 I will double their punishment for all their sins because they have defiled 00:23:54.646 --> 00:23:59.291 my land with lifeless images of their detestable gods, and have filled 00:23:59.291 --> 00:24:01.811 my territory with their evil deeds. 00:24:03.101 --> 00:24:05.561 Lord, you are my strength and fortress. 00:24:06.101 --> 00:24:06.911 My refuge. 00:24:06.911 --> 00:24:12.971 In the day of trouble, nations from around the world will come to you and say, our 00:24:12.971 --> 00:24:17.801 ancestors left us a foolish heritage for they worshiped worthless idols. 00:24:18.581 --> 00:24:20.981 Can people make their own gods? 00:24:21.581 --> 00:24:23.321 These are not real gods at all. 00:24:23.701 --> 00:24:27.761 The Lord says, now I will show them my power. 00:24:28.271 --> 00:24:31.841 Now I will show them my might at last. 00:24:31.901 --> 00:24:35.351 They will know and understand that I am the Lord. 00:24:36.641 --> 00:24:41.051 The sin of Judah is inscribed with an iron chisel engraved with a 00:24:41.051 --> 00:24:45.281 diamond point on their stony hearts and on the corners of their altars. 00:24:45.911 --> 00:24:51.101 Even their children go to worship at their pagan altars and a sheer poles beneath 00:24:51.101 --> 00:24:53.861 every green tree and on every high hill. 00:24:54.881 --> 00:24:56.921 So I will hand over my Holy Mountain. 00:24:57.701 --> 00:25:02.771 Along with all your wealth and treasures and your pagan shrines as plunder to your 00:25:02.771 --> 00:25:06.071 enemies for sin runs rampant in your land. 00:25:06.731 --> 00:25:10.631 The wonderful possession I have reserved for you will slip from your hands. 00:25:11.171 --> 00:25:16.181 I will tell your enemies to take you as captives to a foreign land for my anger, 00:25:16.181 --> 00:25:19.031 blazes like a fire that will burn forever. 00:25:20.561 --> 00:25:21.881 This is what the Lord says. 00:25:22.526 --> 00:25:27.656 Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans who rely on human strength 00:25:28.016 --> 00:25:30.146 and turn their hearts away from the Lord. 00:25:31.016 --> 00:25:34.886 They're like stunted shrubs in the desert with no hope for the future. 00:25:35.696 --> 00:25:40.256 They will live in the barren wilderness in an uninhabited salty land. 00:25:41.456 --> 00:25:44.936 But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the 00:25:44.941 --> 00:25:46.796 Lord their hope and confidence. 00:25:47.711 --> 00:25:51.131 They're like trees planted along a riverbank with roots 00:25:51.131 --> 00:25:52.751 that reach deep into the water. 00:25:53.741 --> 00:25:58.481 Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. 00:25:58.991 --> 00:26:02.921 Their leaves stay green and they never stop producing fruit. 00:26:04.451 --> 00:26:09.251 The human heart is the most deceitful of all things and desperately wicked 00:26:10.301 --> 00:26:12.281 who really knows how bad it is. 00:26:13.331 --> 00:26:15.971 But I, the Lord, search all hearts. 00:26:16.391 --> 00:26:18.131 And examine secret motives. 00:26:18.581 --> 00:26:23.501 I give all people their due rewards according to what their actions deserve. 00:26:24.401 --> 00:26:27.731 Like a partridge that hatches eggs she has not laid. 00:26:28.151 --> 00:26:30.071 So are those who get their wealth. 00:26:30.191 --> 00:26:34.871 By unjust means at midlife, they will lose their riches. 00:26:35.711 --> 00:26:38.771 In the end, they will become poor, old fools. 00:26:39.941 --> 00:26:44.831 But we worship at your throne, eternal, high and glorious. 00:26:46.196 --> 00:26:51.686 Oh Lord, the hope of Israel, all who turn away from you will be disgraced. 00:26:52.196 --> 00:26:56.606 They will be buried in the dust of the earth for they have abandoned the Lord. 00:26:56.906 --> 00:26:58.556 The fountain of living water. 00:26:59.606 --> 00:27:03.086 Oh Lord, if you heal me, I will be truly healed. 00:27:03.776 --> 00:27:06.896 If you save me, I will be truly saved. 00:27:07.946 --> 00:27:10.256 My praises are for you alone. 00:27:11.066 --> 00:27:15.386 People scoff at me and say, what is this message from the Lord? 00:27:15.446 --> 00:27:18.926 You talk about why don't your predictions come true? 00:27:20.246 --> 00:27:24.056 Lord, I have not abandoned my job as a shepherd for your people. 00:27:24.806 --> 00:27:27.356 I have not urged you to send disaster. 00:27:28.076 --> 00:27:29.756 You have heard everything I've said. 00:27:30.416 --> 00:27:32.366 Lord, don't terrorize me. 00:27:33.266 --> 00:27:36.176 You alone are my hope in the day of disaster. 00:27:37.181 --> 00:27:41.831 Bring shame and dismay on all who persecute me, but don't let 00:27:41.831 --> 00:27:44.081 me experience shame and dismay. 00:27:44.981 --> 00:27:46.961 Bring a day of terror on them. 00:27:47.591 --> 00:27:50.501 Yes, bring double destruction upon them. 00:27:52.061 --> 00:27:53.501 This is what the Lord said to me. 00:27:54.611 --> 00:27:58.541 Go and stand in the gates of Jerusalem first in the gate where 00:27:58.541 --> 00:28:02.261 the king goes in and out, and then in each of the other gates. 00:28:02.921 --> 00:28:07.811 Say to all the people, listen to this message from the Lord you, kings of 00:28:07.816 --> 00:28:12.221 Judah and all you people of Judah and everyone living in Jerusalem. 00:28:13.151 --> 00:28:14.741 This is what the Lord says. 00:28:15.311 --> 00:28:16.751 Listen to my warning. 00:28:17.261 --> 00:28:21.401 Stop carrying on your trade at Jerusalem's Gates on the Sabbath day. 00:28:21.941 --> 00:28:25.961 Do not do your work on the Sabbath, but make it a holy day. 00:28:26.711 --> 00:28:30.731 I gave this command to your ancestors, but they did not listen or obey. 00:28:31.706 --> 00:28:37.826 They stubbornly refuse to pay attention or accept my discipline, but if you obey 00:28:37.826 --> 00:28:43.196 me, says the Lord, and do not carry on your trade at the gates or work on the 00:28:43.201 --> 00:28:48.476 Sabbath day, and if you keep it holy, then kings and their officials will 00:28:48.476 --> 00:28:50.136 go in and out of these gates forever. 00:28:51.236 --> 00:28:56.156 There will always be a descendant of David sitting on the throne here in Jerusalem. 00:28:56.996 --> 00:29:01.166 Kings and their officials will always ride in and out among the people of 00:29:01.166 --> 00:29:06.836 Judah, in chariots and on horses, and this city will remain forever 00:29:07.646 --> 00:29:09.206 and from all around Jerusalem. 00:29:09.476 --> 00:29:14.576 From the towns of Judah and Benjamin from the Western foothills and the Hill country 00:29:14.636 --> 00:29:19.346 and the Negev, the people will come with their burnt offerings and sacrifices. 00:29:19.946 --> 00:29:23.906 They will bring their grain offerings, frankincense and Thanksgiving 00:29:23.906 --> 00:29:25.676 offerings to the Lord's temple. 00:29:26.801 --> 00:29:31.721 But if you do not listen to me and refuse to keep the Sabbath holy, and 00:29:31.721 --> 00:29:35.621 if on the Sabbath day you bring loads of merchandise through the gates of 00:29:35.621 --> 00:29:40.481 Jerusalem, just as on other days, then I will set fire to these gates. 00:29:41.081 --> 00:29:45.101 The fire will spread to the palaces and no one will be able 00:29:45.101 --> 00:29:46.781 to put out the roaring flames. 00:29:48.581 --> 00:29:51.461 This concludes today's immerse reading experience. 00:29:51.611 --> 00:29:52.811 Thank you for joining us.