Jeremiah #59. An exposition of Jeremiah 46:1-47:7. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, June 7, 2009.
Sermon Notes »
Introduction:
In our politically correct world to be certain or dogmatic in belief is considered dangerous. If in matters of faith you hold to a belief in an inspired book and a personal God who actually exists you are a fanatic and the kind of person who is not to be trusted. Further you are to blame for most of the evil in this world. “Why can’t you just leave people alone? Why can’t you let people believe as they wish? Why must you shove your brand of faith down everyone’s throat?” That is the response of the “tolerant” open-minded crowd. The problem is I really do believe what this book says. I believe there is a God who created everything! I believe that humanity, through the rebellion of Adam fell into corruption. That God would have been just to destroy the world and everything in it and be done with it but He chose instead to redeem His fallen world. In fact He gave His one and only Son to pay for our rebellion. I believe He now offers life and hope to all who believe in His Son and that one day He is coming again in power and great glory. When He comes – there will be a day of reckoning. I also believe that He is now in control of all things. That is I believe in a Sovereign God who is not waiting to rule someday but rules now as Sovereign over all the earth. That is the focus of our text this evening found in Jeremiah chapters 46 and 47.
Text: Jeremiah 46:1-47:7
This section is often referred to as “The Oracles Against the Nations.” It runs from chapter 46 – 51. It contains an international roll call of God’s enemies. Each oracle contains a summons to battle, a pronouncement of defeat and often includes a taunt against the enemy.
We find in this section a fulfillment of God’s call on Jeremiah back in 1:9-10:
Then the LORD put out his hand and touched my mouth. And the LORD said to me,
Behold, I have put my words in your mouth.
10 See, I have set you this day over nations and over kingdoms,
to pluck up and to break down,
to destroy and to overthrow,
to build and to plant.
Jeremiah’s ministry is going international!
Three things are revealed about the God of Judah in our text.
- God is powerfully revealed as the Sovereign Ruler of all the earth.
- God is graphically portrayed as the righteous judge of kings and nations.
- God is wonderfully proclaimed as the gracious Savior of His people.