QT 13/07/2025 Sun. Jeremiah 52 Severe Judgment but Bountiful Grace 严酷的审判却有丰盛的恩典

QT 13/07/2025 Sun. Jeremiah 52 Severe Judgment but Bountiful Grace
READ http://www.esv.org/jer52

Scripture Focus: Jeremiah 52:27
[27] And the king of Babylon struck them down and put them to death at Riblah in the land of Hamath. So Judah was taken into exile out of its land. (ESV)

Devotional Reflection
Jeremiah 52 serves as a sober historical record of Jerusalem’s fall, the destruction of the temple, and the exile of Judah to Babylon. It is a chapter filled with deep sorrow and seemingly relentless judgment. The promises of God’s discipline through the prophets have come to pass. The walls have fallen, the king has been captured, and the people have been scattered.

Yet even in this chapter of devastating loss, we see a glimpse of bountiful grace at the very end:

“And in the thirty-seventh year of the exile of Jehoiachin king of Judah... Evil-merodach king of Babylon... graciously freed Jehoiachin... and spoke kindly to him.” —Jeremiah 52:31–32 (ESV)

This small note—almost a footnote—reveals the heart of God. Though judgment was fierce and exile real, grace was never absent.

(1) God’s Judgment Is Real and Righteous
Jeremiah 52 is not a tale of accident or fate. It is the just outcome of persistent rebellion. God had warned His people through prophets, through signs, and through events. When His warnings were ignored, His judgment came—swift and severe.

We must never take God's holiness lightly. Sin carries consequences, and God, in His justice, cannot overlook rebellion forever.

(2) God’s Grace Is Never Fully Withdrawn
Even in the dark backdrop of destruction, God leaves a spark of hope. Jehoiachin, though a king in exile for decades, is finally shown kindness. He is lifted from prison, dines with the king of Babylon, and receives daily provision.

This is a picture of grace—undeserved, unearned, and unexpected. Though the people were under judgment, God's mercy was still active, foreshadowing the greater grace to come in Jesus Christ.

(3) Jesus: The Bridge Between Judgment and Grace
Jeremiah 52 ends with Jehoiachin lifted from prison—pointing us to the gospel. In Christ, we who were condemned are set free. He took the full weight of God's judgment so that we might receive His bountiful grace.

Where sin brought exile, Christ brings restoration. Where judgment seemed final, Christ declares new life.

Application Questions
(1) Are you living in a way that takes God’s holiness seriously?

(2) Have you ever experienced God’s grace in the middle of discipline or hardship?

(3) How does Jehoiachin’s release point you toward the hope you have in Christ?

Prayer
Holy God, you are just in all your ways and merciful beyond measure. Help us never to treat your Word lightly, but to respond to your call with humble hearts. Thank you that even when we fail, your grace is never far away. Lift us, like Jehoiachin, from the prison of sin and restore us through Christ. May we live in awe of your justice and joy in your mercy. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

QT 13/07/2025 星期日. 耶利米书 52 严酷的审判却有丰盛的恩典
阅读 http://m.bbintl.org/bible/ncv/Jer/52/

经文聚焦：
巴比伦王击打他们，在哈马地的利比拉把他们处死。这样，犹大人被掳，离开了他们的国土。- 耶利米书 52:27b

灵修反思
耶利米书第 52 章是耶路撒冷沦陷、圣殿被毁、犹大被流放到巴比伦的冷静的历史记录。这一章充满了深深的忧伤和看似无情的审判。上帝通过先知的管教所许下的诺言已经实现。城墙倒塌，国王被俘，百姓四散。

然而，即使在这一章毁灭性的损失中，我们也能在结尾处看到丰盛恩典的一瞥：

31 “看哪！日子快到（这是耶和华的宣告），我要与以色列家和犹大家订立新的约。32 这新约不像从前我拉他们祖先的手，领他们出埃及地的日子，与他们所立的约；我虽然是他们的丈夫，他们却违背了我的约。”这是耶和华的宣告。-耶利米书 52:31-32

这个小小的注释--几乎是一个脚注--揭示了上帝的心意。虽然审判是猛烈的，流放是真实的，但恩典从未缺席。

(1) 神的审判是真实和公义的。
《耶利米书》第 52 章不是一个偶然或命运的故事。它是持续悖逆的公正结果。上帝通过先知、神迹和事件警告祂的子民。当祂的警告被忽视时，祂的审判就来了--迅速而严厉。

我们绝不能轻视上帝的圣洁。罪会带来后果，上帝的公义不会永远忽视悖逆。

(2)上帝的恩典从未完全消失。

即使在毁灭的黑暗背景下，上帝也会留下希望的火花。耶和雅钦虽然是一个流亡了几十年的国王，但他终于得到了恩典。他从监狱中被释放出来，与巴比伦王共餐，每天都能得到供应。

这是一幅恩典的图画--不配得、不劳而获、出乎意料。虽然百姓受到审判，但上帝的怜悯依然活跃，预示着在耶稣基督里将有更大的恩典。

(3) 耶稣： 审判与恩典之间的桥梁

《耶利米书》第 52 章以约雅斤从监狱中被释放而结束，指向我们的福音。在基督里，我们这些被定罪的人获得了自由。祂承担了上帝审判的全部重担，使我们可以接受祂丰盛的恩典。

罪带来流放，基督带来恢复。在审判似乎是终局的地方，基督宣告了新的生命。

应用问题
(1) 你是否认真对待神的圣洁？

(2) 你是否曾在管教或苦难中经历过神的恩典？

(3) 约雅斤的释放如何使你看到在基督里的盼望？

祷告
圣洁的神，祢行事公义，怜悯无比。求你帮助我们永不轻慢你的话语，而是以谦卑的心回应你的呼召。感谢你，即使我们失败了，你的恩典也从未远离。让我们像约雅斤一样脱离罪的牢笼，并通过基督使我们复原。愿我们敬畏你的公义，在你的怜悯中喜乐。奉耶稣的名，阿门。