God’s servant Jeremiah the prophet described God’s people as those who: “Deliver the plundered out of the hand of the oppressor. Do no wrong and do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, or the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place.” [2]
What would happen if they listened to the Lord and obeyed Him?
“If you indeed do this thing, then shall enter the gates of this house, riding on horses and in chariots, accompanied by servants and people, kings who sit on the throne of David.” [3]
What would happen if they rejected the Word of the Lord?
“But if you will not hear these Words, I swear by Myself, says the Lord, that this house shall become a desolation.” [4]
The people that Jeremiah spoke to were living lavishly while others could barely survive. They destroyed innocent people to maintain their dominance and superiority in the world. [5]
The leaders in the days of Jesus were similar. Jesus said that they liked the best places, best titles and best recognitions. They were liars and deceivers. They made their followers fit for hell. They devoured the houses of widows. They made their fortunes by stealing from people who could not defend themselves. [6]
In the Gospels, Jesus cursed a fig tree that bore no fruit and it died. This miracle symbolized God’s judgment on those who refuse to be fellow yoke bearers with Him. [7]
The Lord told Jeremiah to make yokes and send them to the surrounding the nations. They were to submit to the Word of the Lord. [8]
Jeremiah also wore a yoke to the king of Jerusalem’s court. He urged his king to accept God’s Word concerning Babylon. Sadly, a false prophet named Hananiah contradicted Jeremiah. Hananiah’s name means the Lord is gracious. Hananiah broke the yoke off of Jeremiah’s neck. Hananiah prophesied that in two years that the judgment which Jeremiah prophesied of, namely Babylon, would no longer be a threat to their nation. He lied. Jeremiah told Hananiah by the Word of the Lord that he would die within the year for teaching rebellion against the Lord. That same year Hananiah died according to the Word of the Lord. [9]
When the disciples pointed out to Jesus the beauty of the temple that King Herod built for the people of Jerusalem, Jesus told them that the temple would be completely demolished. [10]
Jesus told them a parable about fig trees. “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors!” [11]
The leaders of Jerusalem were not yoked to the God of God’s Word. They twisted God’s Word for personal gain. Jesus and His servant Jeremiah focused on saving souls from God’s fiery judgment on sin. They spoke what God told them to say.
What relevance do these prophecies have for us today?
Jesus prophesied of another Babylon to His servant John in the Book of Revelation. Like the first Babylon, the one of the last days before the Lord returns will be an evil empire. Those who serve the Lord will submit their necks to the yoke of proclaiming God’s judgments on it and to pointing people to Jesus Christ as the only Savior from sin and judgment.
John the Apostle recorded the revelation that Jesus gave him and sent it to the seven churches of Asia minor. The Lord has preserved these prophecies for us because they are vital for us to hear. How many times did Jesus use the word, “hear” in the Book of Revelation? Twelve times!
Jeremiah prophesied of the Messiah’s first coming, and Jesus fulfilled it. Jesus prophesied of His second coming in the Book of Revelation. Jesus will also fulfill this Word. [12]
“Dear Heavenly Father, please help us to hear and serve Your prophetic Word. Please help us to be yoke fellows with You, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. To be good figs! In the Name of Jesus, I pray, Amen.”
[1] Jeremiah 22-29
[2] Jeremiah 22:3
[3] Jeremiah 22:4
[4] Jeremiah 22:5
[5] Jeremiah 22:13-14
[6] Matthew 23:5-15; Luke 20:27
[7] Jeremiah 24:8; Mark 11:12-14, 20-21; Matthew 11:28-30; 21:43
[8] Jeremiah 27
[9] Jeremiah 28
[10] Matthew 24:1-2
[11] Matthew 24:32-33
[12] Jeremiah 23:5-6; Revelation 22:20
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