Jeremiah 41-46 covers a tumultuous period in Judah’s history, marked by political intrigue, violence, and prophetic warnings. Chapter 41 recounts the assassination of Gedaliah, the Babylonian-appointed governor of Judah, by Ishmael, son of Nethaniah. This act of treachery led to the massacre at Mizpah and the abduction of the remaining Judahite community. Johanan, son of Kareah, eventually rescues the captives, but fear of Babylonian retribution drives them to consider fleeing to Egypt.

My heart was heavy as I read more prophecy and destruction in the book of Jeremiah. I asked God to help me find some practical truths, and while I am sure there are many, here are two I’ll share.

First, it is so easy to ignore God’s commands! How many chances did people get to repent? So many! And for generations, they just ignored God. I imagine it became easier and easier the long they sinned. Aren’t we the same way? We can live in sin and justify it—we can even twist Scripture to justify it! The deeper we get in a particular sin, the easier it becomes to shut out God’s truth. There was a time in the not-too-distant past (and I say this with a mix of shame and gratitude for God’s grace) that I was not living in a way that was pleasing to God. I felt the Holy Spirit pricking my conscience, but I pushed past it. I had a long list of excuses. And the longer I lived that way, the less I even thought about it. Thankfully, I changed, and I look back and can’t believe that was ever me! But that’s the way sin works. It's so sneaky. How many of us would have been destroyed in Jeremiah’s day?

My honest overall reflection after reading last week’s readings? I’m so grateful for mercy and grace. We had six more chapters of Jeremiah’s prophetic warning of destruction on the people because they weren’t obedient.

Throughout all of this, though, Jeremiah still spreads hope. He tells them God will let them rebuild their lives after this judgment. This is the God we hear about more at SoGF—the God of mercy and the God Who blesses. I think most of us know God is also a God of judgment, of righteous anger, of holy wrath (and if you didn’t know before reading Jeremiah, you’re seeing it now), but I feel more comfortable with the God of love, grace, mercy. This reading was a good reminder of what life would be like without Jesus.