August 3, 2022: Day 164 – Jeremiah 23-27 and Proverbs 23

I have to admit that the beginning of these chapters follow along in the same discourse as the previous chapters with the prophet warning the people of the wrath to come.  But the last two chapters are very interesting.  The prophet of the Lord is telling His people that they are to subject themselves to the Babylonians.  Allow yourselves to go into exile.  Do not fight back against the invading powers.  If there is a prophet that tells you to fight back, well, they are not of the Lord.

Again, that is not what we are used to.  We are used to God saying: I am on your side, you can go up against anyone even if the numbers are skewed and you will win.  The difference is that the people had perpetually turned their back on God and now it was time for a break for them.  In fact, God says that those who remain in Jerusalem and in Judah and do not bow down in service to the Babylonians will have no part in  God’s future.  Only those who went into Babylon as captives will return one day and carry out God’s plans.  Strange to see God tell the people to accept defeat.