Heralds Digest

““My lord the king, these men have done evil in all that they have done to Jeremiah the prophet, whom they have cast into the dungeon, and he is likely to die from hunger in the place where he is. For there is no more bread in the city.” Then the king commanded Ebed-Melech the Ethiopian, saying, “Take from here thirty men with you, and lift Jeremiah the prophet out of the dungeon before he dies.”” ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭38:9-10‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/jer.38.9-10.nkjv The boldness of Ebed-Melech the eunuch of Ethiopia before king Zedekiah teaches that human position does not necessarily influence his conviction about the truth. Unfortunately, the misconception about political correctness has introduced the concept of relativism to the truth about evil in society. Prior to Jeremiah’s sentence to the dungeon, the opinion of the princes was superior in convicting Jeremiah to death. But later, the loner opinion of Ebed-Melech delivered Jeremiah from death. It just shows the confused state ...

“And it happened, when the army of the Chaldeans left the siege of Jerusalem for fear of Pharaoh’s army, that Jeremiah went out of Jerusalem to go into the land of Benjamin to claim his property there among the people.” ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭37:11-12‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/jer.37.11-12.nkjv One of the advantages of being a Lone Ranger is the simplicity with decision making in personal affairs. A Lone Ranger is good for being responsible for only himself, until his civic responsibilities are assumed compromised. Therefore, fulfilling the civic responsibilities is a stepup to personal affairs, which requires mostly an attribute beyond the attitude of a Lone Ranger. Political manoeuvring and social event organizing demand the engagement with the people for clearer understanding of both the state and sentiments of affairs. Unfortunately, it is almost impossible for anyone to please both man and God at the same time. While the Loner Jeremiah was comfortable with his resolve to live to ple...

““Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, ‘Thus you shall say to the king of Judah, who sent you to Me to inquire of Me: “Behold, Pharaoh’s army which has come up to help you will return to Egypt, to their own land.” ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭37:7‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/jer.37.7.nkjv When the Psalmist cried ‘I will lift up my eyes unto the hill, from where comes my help’, he appeared to have acknowledged the significant difference between ‘Hill Helps’ and ‘Help Hill’. The likes of help from Pharaoh to Zedekiah fit into the category of Hill Helps. It comes at the season of help from little hills of this world. At other seasons, when there are conflict of interest, personal interest of the hills takes priority. Therefore, the LORD, the God of Israel (and the only reliable Help Hill of all ages) had to warn Zedekiah “Behold, Pharaoh’s army which has come up to help you will return to Egypt, to their own land.” Unfortunately, the activities of little hills are mostly visible in times of diffi...

“Then Jeremiah took another scroll and gave it to Baruch the scribe, the son of Neriah, who wrote on it at the instruction of Jeremiah all the words of the book which Jehoiakim king of Judah had burned in the fire. And besides, there were added to them many similar words.” ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭36:32‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/jer.36.32.nkjv Like the atmosphere created by Jehoakim’s insurrection, the word of God has experienced many foolish attempts from men of materials and positions at eradicating the influence of God in the affairs of His people. Different government establishments have previously developed a paradigm of policies against the written word, but later left the stage disappointed and disgraced. The truth remains unchangeable and unmovable, even while the knowledge about it develops. Since materials and positions came into existence by the pronouncement of the truth, it is unthinkable for materials and positions to destroy the originating truth. Therefore, the most honour...

“And it happened, when Jehudi had read three or four columns, that the king cut it with the scribe’s knife and cast it into the fire that was on the hearth, until all the scroll was consumed in the fire that was on the hearth. Yet they were not afraid, nor did they tear their garments, the king nor any of his servants who heard all these words.” ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭36:23-24‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/jer.36.23-24.nkjv The statements of right or wrong are clearly written in the word of God for humble hearts. To these surrendered hearts, the word of God is sharper than two-edged sword for the destruction of evil vices and the construction of good ways. Whereas, hardened hearts are stony and stubborn. Instead of the words of God piercing through the heart of the king, the king’s heart pierced the scroll of God’s words to the fire on the hearth. Likewise, all hardened hearts are insensitive to all available warnings in the written words until they are totally consumed. In reality, the garm...

“And Jeremiah commanded Baruch, saying, “I am confined, I cannot go into the house of the LORD. You go, therefore, and read from the scroll which you have written at my instruction, the words of the LORD, in the hearing of the people in the LORD’s house on the day of fasting. And you shall also read them in the hearing of all Judah who come from their cities.” ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭36:5-6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/jer.36.5-6.nkjv The power of the written words is often underestimated by the writer until the hands find a book or journal. Besides the influence of the written words in the life and affairs of receivers, the written words provide indirect comfort and healing to wounded soul of the writer. Even when inspired by wicked rage and resentment, wicked acts of violence are temporarily calmed through the silent moment with the fainted pen. And where inspired by the Spirit of the Lord, prophet Jeremiah was able to manage the painful moment of incarceration without losing his purpose f...

“Surely the sons of Jonadab the son of Rechab have performed the commandment of their father, which he commanded them, but this people has not obeyed Me.” ’” ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭35:16‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/jer.35.16.nkjv The cycle of charity is complete only when the offering of love is received. No matter the height or depth of love from the Father, the children have the liberty to disregard the charitable gesture. But before our earthly fathers get weighed down by every form of uncharitable gestures, they are reminded of their calling as the charitable children of our heavenly Father. The love of the Father constraints all children of God to an unlimited and unrelenting offering of charity, even in the most undeserving relationships. The experience of the Father in His relationship with the children of ISRAEL teaches the reality of moments of discouragement in our earthly relationship with people; but children of God are encouraged by the untarnished charity of the heavenly Fath...