Topic: Keep It Holy [Saturday December 30, 2017]
Text: Jeremiah 17:19-27
Key Verse: “Neither carry forth a burden out of your houses on the sabbath day, neither do ye any work, but hallow ye the sabbath day, as I commanded your fathers” (Jeremiah 17:22).
Sometime in the history of the children of Israel, the nation was so money-minded that they took to doing business on the revered Sabbath Day, contrary to the instruction of God which forbade it. It was not a legal code they were violating; rather they were in grave breach of centuries-old sacred pact God had made with their ancestors. As a loving God who would not want swift destruction to come upon His erring people, He sent His servant Jeremiah to warn them to amend their ways.
God said in verses 21 and 22: “…Take heed to yourselves, and bear no burden on the sabbath day… neither do ye any work, but hallow ye the sabbath day as I commanded your fathers…” He asked Jeremiah to place himself strategically at the gates of Jerusalem to issue the warning. The point was that keeping the Sabbath was a sign that the nation and its people were obedient to God and His word. Not keeping the rules of rest from work on that day meant a rejection of God’s inviolable commandment or not having any relationship with Him and His blessings.
It amounted to forfeiting the inheritance reserved for submissive children. Now, God would not allow His law to be trampled upon without punishment. He first spoke of the enduring blessings He would bestow on the people and their rulers if they obeyed Him concerning the Sabbath Day. However, should they continue to turn deaf ears at Him, He would consume Jerusalem with unquenchable fire. This is not at all uncharacteristic of the God of Justice who would not tolerate impunity. He rewards obedience and punishes disobedience. He rewards those who regard His mercy and love, but frowns at those who abuse His grace and lovingkindness.
Thought for the day: Disobedience begets the wrath of God.
Bible Reading in one Year: Proverbs 27-29
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
