Study Desk

God, I am very sad and afraid.

My people are hurt, so I am hurt. I am too sad to speak.

But if someone wants to brag, then let them brag about this: Let them brag that they learned to know me. Let them brag that they understand that I am the Lord , that I am kind and fair, and that I do good things on earth. I love this kind of bragging." This message is from the Lord .

I am talking about the people of the nations of Egypt, Judah, Edom, Ammon, Moab, and all those who live in the desert. The circumcision they do is not the kind the Lord wants. But the people of Israel are not really circumcised either. They are not circumcised in their hearts."

I am hurt badly. I am injured and I cannot be healed. But I told myself, "This is my sickness; I must suffer through it."

I am talking about the agreement I made with your ancestors when I brought them out of that furnace called Egypt.' At that time I told them, ‘Listen to me and obey all the commands I give you. Then you will be my people and I will be your God.'

Then you will say to them, ‘This is what the Lord says: I will make everyone who lives in this land helpless, like a drunken man. I am talking about the kings who sit on David's throne. I am also talking about the priests, the prophets, and all the people who live in Jerusalem.

Jerusalem, you left me." This message is from the Lord . "Again and again you left me! So I will punish and destroy you. I am tired of holding back your punishment.

Mother, I am sorry that you gave birth to me. I am the one who must accuse and criticize the whole land. I have not loaned or borrowed anything, but everyone curses me.

People of Judah, I will make you slaves of your enemies. You will be slaves in a land that you never knew. I am very angry. My anger is like a hot fire, and you will be burned."

I will make you strong. The people will think you are strong, like a wall made of bronze. The people of Judah will fight against you, but they will not defeat you. They will not defeat you, because I am with you. I will help you, and I will save you." This message is from the Lord .

"So I will teach those who make idols. Right now I will teach them about my power and my strength. Then they will know that I am God. They will know that I am the Lord .

You will lose the land I gave you. I will let your enemies take you to be their slaves. That is because I am very angry. My anger is like a hot fire, and you will be burned forever."

But I am the Lord , and I can look into a person's heart. I can test a person's mind and decide what each one should have. I can give each person the right payment for what they do.

"Family of Israel, you know that I can do the same thing with you. You are like the clay in the potter's hands, and I am the potter." This message is from the Lord .

"So, Jeremiah, say to the people of Judah and those who live in Jerusalem, ‘This is what the Lord says: I am the potter preparing troubles for you and making plans against you. So stop doing the evil things you are doing. Each person must change and start doing good.'

Lord , you tricked me, and I certainly was fooled. You are stronger than I am, so you won. I have become a joke. People laugh at me and make fun of me all day long.

Every time I speak, I shout. I am always shouting about violence and destruction. I tell the people about the message that I received from the Lord . But they only insult me and make fun of me.

Sometimes I say to myself, "I will forget about him. I will not speak anymore in his name." But when I say that, his message is like a fire burning inside me! It feels like it is burning deep in my bones! I get tired of trying to hold his message inside. And finally, I am not able to hold it in.

I myself will fight against you people of Judah. I will fight against you with my own powerful hand. I am very angry with you, so I will fight against you with my own powerful arm. I will fight very hard against you and show how angry I am.