Year 2, Week 15, Day 1 Bible Reading Observations

Year 2, Week 15, Day 1

I have a brief observation for today’s reading of Jeremiah 40; Psalm 74,79.

Today’s reading continues the fourth segment of the Book of Jeremiah. This fourth segment (chapters 34-45) corresponds to the second segment (chapters 21-29) in that each segment contains messages and incidents that are historically oriented with dates and other historical markers. Like the second segment, this fourth segment does not have the messages of hope and salvation that were found in chapters 30-33, but the focus returns to the destruction brought on by disobedience. Jeremiah 40 reports some of the immediate aftermath from the fall of Jerusalem as it records the Babylonian acknowledgement of the LORD’s hand in what had unfolded: “The LORD has brought it about, and has done as he said. Because you sinned against the LORD and did not obey his voice, this thing has come upon you” (Jeremiah 40:3). Nebuzaradan, the captain of the Babylonian guard gives Jeremiah his freedom: “Now, behold, I release you today from the chains on your hands. If it seems good to you to come with me to Babylon, come, and I will look after you well, but if it seems wrong to you to come with me to Babylon, do not come” (Jeremiah 40:4). Today’s reading also includes two Psalms of Asaph, which each pertain to the fall of Jerusalem. Psalm 74 laments Israel’s captivity and appeals to character of God and the covenant: “Yet God my King is from of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth…Have regard for the covenant, for the dark places of the land are full of the habitations of violence” (Psalm 74:12,20). Psalm 79 laments the destruction of Jerusalem and appeals to the LORD for pardon and forgiveness: “Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name; deliver us, and atone for our sins, for your name’s sake!” (Psalm 79:9).

One of the things that struck me from today’s reading was the intense expressions of heartache expressed before the LORD as Jerusalem was being destroyed: “O God, why do you cast us off forever? Why does your anger smoke against the sheep of your pasture? Remember your congregation, which you have purchased of old, which you have redeemed to be the tribe of your heritage! Remember Mount Zion, where you have dwelt” (Psalm 74:1-2); and: “O God, the nations have come into your inheritance; they have defiled your holy temple; they have laid Jerusalem in ruins” (Psalm 79:1). Asaph clearly portrays the severe trauma that the people of Jerusalem were experiencing: “They have given the bodies of your servants to the birds of the heavens for food, the flesh of your faithful to the beasts of the earth. They have poured out their blood like water all around Jerusalem, and there was no one to bury them. We have become a taunt to our neighbors, mocked and derided by those around us” (Psalm 79:2-4); and: “Your foes have roared in the midst of your meeting place…They set your sanctuary on fire; they profaned the dwelling place of your name, bringing it down to the ground” (Psalm 74:4-7).

Asaph demonstrates that the people of Jerusalem took their traumatic experience to the LORD. First, the people acknowledged that what they were experiencing was ultimately from the LORD: “Why do you hold back your hand, your right hand? Take it from the fold of your garment and destroy them!” (Psalm 74:11); and: “Do not remember against us our former iniquities; let your compassion come speedily to meet us, for we are brought very low” (Psalm 79:8). Second, the people cried out for relief: “How long, O God, is the foe to scoff? Is the enemy to revile your name forever?” (Psalm 74:10); and: “How long, O LORD? Will you be angry forever? Will your jealousy burn like fire?” (Psalm 79:5).

The LORD heard the cries and groaning of His people in Egypt: “During those many days the king of Egypt died, and the people of Israel groaned because of their slavery and cried out for help. Their cry for rescue from slavery came up to God. And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant” (Exodus 2:23-24a). Those cries of groaning are offered up to the LORD again: “Let the groans of the prisoners come before you; according to your great power, preserve those doomed to die!” (Psalm 79:11). And the people appeal to the LORD for another deliverance: “Yet God my King is from of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth.You divided the sea by your might” (Psalm 74:12-13a; see also Exodus 14:29; Joshua 2:10); as well as guiding provision: “You split open springs and brooks; you dried up ever-flowing streams” (Psalm 74:15; see also Exodus 17:6; Numbers 20:11; and Joshua 3:14-17).

Asaph looks to the covenant that the LORD made with His people: “Have regard for the covenant, for the dark places of the land are full of the habitations of violence…Arise, O God, defend your cause; remember how the foolish scoff at you all the day!” (Psalm 74:20,22). And Asaph anticipates the LORD’s people expressing praise: “But we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will give thanks to you forever; from generation to generation we will recount your praise” (Psalm 79:13); and: “Let not the downtrodden turn back in shame; let the poor and needy praise your name” (Psalm 74:21).

What struck you in today’s reading? What questions were prompted from today’s reading?

Pastor Joe