Promise and Wrath (5)

Pray Psalm 7.1-5.
O LORD my God, in You I put my trust;
Save me from all those who persecute me;
And deliver me,
Lest they tear me like a lion,
Rending me in pieces, while there is none to deliver.
O LORD my God, if I have done this:
If there is iniquity in my hands,
If I have repaid evil to him who was at peace with me,
Or have plundered my enemy without cause,
Let the enemy pursue me and overtake me;
Yes, let him trample my life to the earth,
And lay my honor in the dust.

Sing Psalm 7.1-5.
(Finlandia: Be Still My Soul)
O Lord, my God, in You do I take refuge;
save me from those who my poor soul would tear!
Deliver me from my foes’ angry deluge,
lest I be swept beyond all hope and care.
Let not injustice, let not evil stain me,
lest to the dust my glory trampled be.

Read and meditate on Jeremiah 25.15-29.

Prepare.
1. Whom else did God judge besides His people?

2. What were the nations supposed to learn from the calamity coming upon Jerusalem?

Meditate.
It makes sense that, since God was going to judge His people for adopting pagan beliefs and ways, He would also bring His judgment on those who were promulgating those beliefs and ways. His Word to Jeremiah now takes aim at all the nations which have caused His people to stumble.

The “cup” is symbolic here. I doubt that Jeremiah literally made these nations drink the cup of God’s wrath. But the cup is frequently used in Scripture as a symbol of God’s judgment, and I think that’s how it’s being used here (vv. 15, 16).

A complete catalogue is provided of all the nations that will fall to Nebuchadnezzar and the armies of Babylon (vv. 19-26). Jeremiah was to bring the judgment of the Lord to them all. Though he’d preached in all the cities of Judah, it’s not likely that he traveled to each of these places. Rather, he may have confronted the ambassadors or other representatives of these nations who were in or coming and going from Jerusalem. We note as well (v. 17) that Judah and Jerusalem are included in the Lord’s judgment.

Did Jeremiah use a cup as he preached this message? Possibly, and if he did, then all who heard him would have been reminded of his words each time they lifted a cup to their lips. Jeremiah had previously instructed the people with a potter’s vessel. Now a cup was his vessel of choice to proclaim the judgment of God.

God is sovereign over all nations. He has written His Law on the hearts of every person (Rom. 2.14, 15). Those who refuse to acknowledge God and His Word, and who turn to idols of various sorts – and the sinful lifestyles such idols promote – can expect the wrath of God to be revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men (Rom. 1.18-32). When God comes battering against all the walls with which people have surrounded themselves against Him, let’s make sure that, like Jeremiah, we are safely ensconced in Him and in His Word.

Reflect.
1. Why is the “cup” a good symbol for God’s judgment? What else does the cup symbolize in Scripture?

2. How is Paul’s message in Romans 1.18-32 like message given here to Jeremiah?

3. Jeremiah warned those under God’s wrath. Do we need to do the same? Explain.

He then says, that a cup had been delivered to him by God's hand; by which words he intimates, that he did not come forth of his own will to terrify the Jews and other nations, but that he faithfully proclaimed what had been committed to him; and he also intimates, that God spoke nothing now but what he meant shortly to execute; and this is what is to be understood by the word cup. John Calvin (1509-1564), Commentary on Jeremiah 25.15

Cleanse me of all my sins, Lord, and help me to serve You faithfully today as I…

Pray Psalm 7.6-17.
Call on the Lord to protect you today – through temptations, in the midst of trials, as you take on every task. Praise and thank Him for all His kindness and favor toward you.

Sing Psalm 7.6-17.
Psalm 7.6-17 (Finlandia: Be Still My Soul)
Arise, O Lord, rise up in wrath to save me!
Let rage and judgment fall upon my foes!
From all around to You let thanks and praise be.
Rise up on high; the wicked curse with woes.
O Judge of all, observe my just demeanor
And vindicate me by Your grace, O Lord.

Bring to an end the evil of the wicked,
but let Your righteous ones established be.
You are my shield, my soul will not be stricken;
You save the upright; You will rescue me!
You are a righteous Judge in every way;
a God of indignation every day.

Let all repent or know Your piercing sword!
Your bow is bent and ready for the fight!
Take deadly weapons in Your hand, O Lord,
and fiery arrows, aimed against the night.
The wicked fall and stumble in their mischief,
but to my soul Your grace will bring relief.

All praise and thanks to You, O righteous Savior!
My hope, my trust, my confidence are You!
Embrace me with Your kindness and Your favor,
and to Your glory make me ever true.
We sing Your praise and glorify Your Name,
Who brings our foes to judgment and to shame.

T. M. Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006). All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter (available by clicking here).