Contemplative Bible Reading

Jeremiah 14:11-12 (New Living Translation)

11 Then the Lord said to me, “Do not pray for these people anymore. 12 When they fast, I will pay no attention. When they present their burnt offerings and grain offerings to me, I will not accept them. Instead, I will devour them with war, famine, and disease.”

God is speaking to the prophet Jeremiah. Here is a command: don’t pray for these people.

Huh? Of course we pray for others. Of course we pray for ourselves. What is this? Yet another mix up in translation? Nope.

God was out done (does anyone say, “out done” any more?). God’s patience was exhausted (can man exhaust God’s patience and love?). These people whom God had chosen were to be devoured by war, famine, and disease.

Why? How? What?

Jeremiah goes on to plead with God. Jeremiah confesses the sins of the people and begs forgiveness. That was all too late.

What a tragedy it is to see God abandon the people. In my life I have seen grandparents walk away from their grandchildren. That is the closest thing to what God is doing here. It is heartbreaking. Yet, it happens. God abandons those who abandon God. God welcomes those who return. Thanks be to God.

This is all complicated and beyond my understanding. It does show there are limits. And, thanks be to God, there is forgiveness. Please God, maybe I won’t ever understand it all, but help me in my unbelief.