Speak Accountability, Judgment, and Deliverance

Jeremiah 1:11-19

11 Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying, "Jeremiah, what do you see?"
And I said, "I see a branch of an almond tree."
12 Then the LORD said to me, "You have seen well, for I am ready to perform My word."

13 And the word of the LORD came to me the second time, saying, "What do you see?"
And I said, "I see a boiling pot, and it is facing away from the north."

14 Then the LORD said to me:
"Out of the north calamity shall break forth
On all the inhabitants of the land.

15 For behold, I am calling
All the families of the kingdoms of the north," says the LORD;
"They shall come and each one set his throne
At the entrance of the gates of Jerusalem,
Against all its walls all around,
And against all the cities of Judah.

16 I will utter My judgments
Against them concerning all their wickedness,
Because they have forsaken Me,
Burned incense to other gods,
And worshiped the works of their own hands.

17 "Therefore prepare yourself and arise,
And speak to them all that I command you.
Do not be dismayed before their faces,
Lest I dismay you before them.

18 For behold, I have made you this day
A fortified city and an iron pillar,
And bronze walls against the whole land—
Against the kings of Judah,
Against its princes,
Against its priests,
And against the people of the land.

19 They will fight against you,
But they shall not prevail against you.
For I am with you," says the LORD, "to deliver you."

Jeremiah was called to preach accountability and judgment on the sin of God’s people, not a task to be taken lightly because of resistance to repent and the risk of opposition to death.  The blossoming almond tree was a harbinger of Spring when the season began and other trees still lay dorm. It was a sign that God was ready to act on His word to judge as Je had been watching over Israel as the almond watched over the season’s beginning.  He was ready to perform His word, which was to call Israel to account for their rejection of Him and continuing unrepentant sin.  The LORD would bring His judgment on them from countries to the north as the instruments of His hand.  Because of the wickedness of heIsrael and their idolatry which desecrated the first commandment (Exodus 20:3-5) as they forsook their God for lifeless pieces of their own handiwork of stone and wood, so He brought punitive judgment of accountability for breaking His covenant with them.  They were the work of His hands but substituted their own works for His in defiance of pride as in the Garden to be equal to Him (Genesis 3:4-5, Isaiah 14:13-14) instead of fearing and worshiping Him only.  The prophet was therefore chosen and called to speak to Israel what God commanded and not be discouraged or afraid in the face of their rejection of him because of His message.  God made Jeremiah strong in Him as a fortified city against the sinful leaders of His people.  They would fight him and the prophetic message commanded but would fail in their opposition because He was greater who was with him than those in opposition (1 John 4:4), just as the Lord is now with and in we who are Christ’s to strengthen us in delivering the gospel message in face of the enemy and the world’s opposition.  He will deliver us in life or death for his glory.  As we consider the message of the just and due wrath of God’s judgment on sin as the bad news, we consider bringing the good news of reconciling grace worth the suffering and opposition we will encounter (2 Timothy 3:12, 1 Peter 4:19) in proclaiming that word of God to salvation (Acts 13:38-40)!  Like Jeremiah, we are also to speak of accountability, judgment, and deliverance for God’s chosen people.