Tuesday, October 12, 2004
Cosmas the Hymnographer, Bishop of Maiuma
Kellia: Jeremiah 41:11-42:17 Epistle: Philippians 2:17-23 Gospel: St. Luke 6:37-45
Jeremiah 41:11-42:17, especially
vss. 2, 3: "Let our supplication come before you, and pray to the Lord your God for us.... that the
Lord your God may show us the way we should go, and the thing that we should do." The
records of the Prophet Jeremiah, written during the collapse of Judah's national life, present a
vivid picture of lawless chaos. The remnant of God's people struggled to pick up their lives
while being assaulted by violence, fear, and uncertainty. The desire for peace and for an end to
the sound of the trumpet, hunger, fear, and the sword consumed their thoughts and actions.
The People of God settled in refugee camps near the appointed governor, Gedaliah, but he was
murdered. Then, they were taken captive, probably to be sold as slaves, but soldiers from their
own army appeared and freed them (vs. 41:12-14). The whole group then fled, "intending to go
to Egypt because of the Chaldeans," fearing reprisal for Gedaliah's murder (vss. 41:17,18).
While at a rest stop, a caravan station near Bethlehem (vs. 41:17), the whole group came to
Jeremiah with a request. Since he himself had shared all the shocks and forced marches with
them, they were not hesitant to ask if he would seek a word from the Lord for them: "were they
on the right track? Should they go into Egypt? Would Jeremiah ask God to show them 'the thing
that [they] should do'" (vs. 42:2,3)? Today's reading provides a simple, profound study in how
to seek a word from the Lord, and in searching out His will and direction for one's life.
First, as these refugees recognized, any word from the Lord comes in its most pure and direct
form through someone accustomed to prayer and acquainted with the mind of the Lord (vss.
42:2,3). Although the Prophet had been present during all that took place after he "went to
Gedaliah...at Mizpah, and dwelt with him among the people" (Jer. 40:6), there is no mention of
him in the text until this point (Jer. 42:2). Nonetheless, his reputation was established as a man
acquainted with the Lord's heart and voice, and so they asked him to seek the Lord's mind.
Second, any word received by a Prophet is not the private property of that Prophet. God gives
His word for His People, for their good. It is meant to be shared. Therefore, the whole word
must be transmitted, "keeping nothing back" (vs. 42:4).
Clearly, the people understood their role in the process: that if they asked for a word from the
Lord through His Prophet, they must obey that word, "whether it is good or evil...that it may be
well with us when we obey the voice of the Lord" (vs. 42:6). No equivocation or disobeying.
Notice also that any word of the Lord does not come automatically. Jeremiah agrees to pray
about the matter, to set it before the Lord and to wait upon Him. This is the implication of his
statement, "I will pray to the Lord your God according to your request" (vs. 42:4).
God in His grace, when He gives a word, is forthright to reveal His will among the available
alternatives. The Lord does not play games with us. In His word through Jeremiah (vss. 42:10-16), God set forth the plain alternatives: to go into Egypt or remain in the land; and He made
clear which was the choice for life and which was for the sword, famine, and death.
Knowing His People's fears and weaknesses, the Lord also encourages when He gives a word. In
this case, He assured them, "I Am with you, to save you and to deliver you" (vs. 42:11).
Finally, observe that God does not "mince words" when He reveals His will. He was clear in
warning about the consequences of disobedience (vs. 42:16).
Beloved, let us never be contrary and "set our faces" and ignore the word of God.
Direct us, O Lord, in all our doings with Thy most gracious favor, that all our works, begun,
continued, and ended in Thy word, may bring glory to Thy Name and mercy upon us.
