Apricot branch and boiling pot

Apricot branch and boiling pot

 

Jeremiah 1:11-19

 

The Lord shows Jeremiah an apricot(almond) branch and says that I will keep my word to fulfill it. He also shows a boiling pot tilted from the north, and says that disaster will arise in the north and pour out on all the people. I will punish them because they forsook me, burned incense to other gods, and bowed down to the works of their own hands. Therefore, gird your loins and arise, speak what I have commanded you, and do not be afraid. I have made you a fortified city, a pillar of iron, and a wall of bronze before the people of the land. They will attack you, but they will not overcome you. I am with you and will save you, God promises Jeremiah.

 

God showed Jeremiah the branch of an apricot(almond) tree (Hebrew, shaqed), and I will keep my words (Hebrew, shaqed) to fulfill them (11,12). Not a single word of God's word will go astray, and everything will be fulfilled. It will happen when God wants it, not when people expect it. Therefore, we must believe in the word of the Lord and never be discouraged, nor evade obedience.

 

The reason God judges His people is because they forsook God and committed the sin of worshiping other idols (13-16). Therefore, we must girdle our loins and prepare ourselves. We must rise up and tell them what God tells us. We must not be afraid of them and stand up to the people of this land. They will rise up against us, but they will not overcome us. Because God is with us to protect us.

 

I give thanks to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has made me strong, because he considered me faithful and entrusted me with the ministry (1 Timothy 1:12).

 

God, let us never lose heart and obey Your word, believing that it will all be fulfilled without missing a single word! Let us girdle our loins and prepare! Arise, let us speak every word You command! Let us face the people of this land without fear! May we trust that You protect us and are with us!