June 15, 2024

Passage Read: Jeremiah 33-36
Meditation Verses: 34:15-16

Thought

The Israelites proclaimed freedom for the slaves they had made of their fellow Israelites, finally doing something that was right in the eyes of the Lord. They should have done it for each one at the end of seven years of service, but didn't. Yet when they finally did release them, the Lord was pleased. Repentance and returning to what is right, this pleases the Lord, even if it is very late in coming. But when they changed their minds and took back their slaves, the Lord was angered and said they had profaned His name. To disobey the Lord, to make a covenant in His name and break it, this profanes His name. It dishonors Him in the eyes of the nations and insults Him deeply.

Application

I am not free to go my own way, to choose what I will do or not do in obedience to God. To disobey Him is to insult Him and profane His name. It dishonors Him and offends Him. It mocks His name before the nations. My disobedience humiliates the Lord. I cannot treat His word lightly, but in obeying it, I magnify His holiness.