QT 25/06/2025 Wed. Jeremiah 37. Truth Rejected, Consequences Embraced? 拒绝真理，接受后果？
QT 25/06/2025 Wed. Jeremiah 37. Truth Rejected, Consequences Embraced?
READ http://www.esv.org/jer37
Is it alright to read the Bible in search of the endorsement that we already seek beforehand?
Scripture Focus: Jeremiah 37:17
"Then King Zedekiah sent for him and had him brought to the palace, where he asked him privately, 'Is there any word from the Lord?' 'Yes,' Jeremiah replied, 'you will be delivered into the hands of the king of Babylon.'”
Observation:
Jeremiah 37 paints a picture of spiritual decline and political turmoil. King Zedekiah, despite being warned multiple times by God through the prophet Jeremiah, chooses to follow his fears and the opinions of others instead of God's word.
The chapter opens with rebellion—Zedekiah does not listen to the Word of the Lord. Yet even in his rebellion, when trouble comes, he turns to Jeremiah in secret, hoping for a more favourable message from God. What he receives, however, is the same warning he has previously rejected.
Reflection:
Zedekiah’s actions are all too familiar. How often do we seek God not to hear His will, but to confirm our own? Zedekiah wanted reassurance, not repentance. He inquired about God's word while ignoring God’s warnings. Jeremiah faithfully delivers the truth, even though it costs him imprisonment and suffering.
This chapter challenges us to examine our own hearts:
(1) Are we seeking God’s will, or just His permission for our plans?
(2) Do we respond to God’s Word with trust and obedience, or with delay and compromise?
Application:
(1) Faithfulness in a Faithless Culture – Like Jeremiah, we are called to stand firm in the truth even when it is unpopular. Truth may cost us comfort or favour, but it is always worth it.
(2) Private Seeking vs. Public Obedience – Zedekiah’s secret seeking of Jeremiah shows the danger of double-mindedness. Following Jesus requires public obedience, not private curiosity.
(3) God’s Word Doesn’t Change to Suit Us – The message didn’t change just because the king wanted a different answer. We must align ourselves with God's Word rather than expect it to align with us.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, help me to seek Your truth with a willing heart and obey it without delay. Give me the courage to speak Your Word faithfully like Jeremiah, and the humility to receive Your correction like a true disciple. Guard me from the fear of people and draw me into deeper trust in You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
QT 25/06/2025 星期三. 耶利米书 37 拒绝真理，接受后果？
阅读 http://m.bbintl.org/bible/ncv/Jer/37/
阅读圣经是为了寻找我们事先已经寻找到的认可，这样做可以吗？
圣经焦点 耶利米书 37:17
后来，西底家王派人去把他带出来；王在自己的宫中私下问他，说：“从耶和华那里有话来吗？”耶利米回答：“有！”又说：“你必交在巴比伦王的手中。”
观察：
耶利米书第 37 章描绘了一幅灵性衰退和政治动荡的画面。尽管上帝通过先知耶利米多次警告西底家王，但他还是选择听从自己的恐惧和他人的意见，而不是上帝的话语。
本章以叛逆开篇--西底家不听从耶和华的话语。然而，即使是在叛逆中，当麻烦来临时，他还是偷偷求助于耶利米，希望从神那里得到更有利的信息。然而，他收到的却是他之前拒绝接受的警告。
反思：
西底家的行为太熟悉不过了。我们有多少次寻求上帝，不是为了聆听祂的旨意，而是为了证实自己的想法？西底家想要的是保证，而不是悔改。他询问上帝的话语，却无视上帝的警告。耶利米忠实地传达了真理，尽管他为此付出了入狱和受苦的代价。
本章要求我们审视自己的内心：
(1) 我们是在寻求神的旨意，还是仅仅寻求神对我们计划的许可？
(2) 我们是以信任和顺服来回应神的话语，还是以拖延和妥协来回应神的话语？
应用
(1) 在无信仰的文化中坚守信仰--像耶利米一样，我们被呼召坚守真理，即使它不受欢迎。真理可能会让我们失去舒适或宠爱，但它总是值得的。
(2) 私下寻求与公开顺服--西底家暗中寻求耶利米的行为表明了三心二意的危险。跟随耶稣需要公开的顺服，而不是私下的好奇。
(3) 神的话语不会因为我们而改变 --信息不会因为国王想要不同的答案而改变。我们必须与神的话语保持一致，而不是期望它与我们保持一致。
祷告
天父，求您帮助我，让我以一颗愿意的心寻求您的真理，并毫不迟疑地顺服它。给我勇气，让我像耶利米一样忠实地说出您的话语，给我谦卑，让我像真正的门徒一样接受您的纠正。保护我远离对人的恐惧，吸引我更深地信任您。奉主耶稣的名祷告，阿门。
