This chapter declares a prophesy of destruction against Judah for their continued sin and unrepentance.
“Thus says the Lord, ‘Go, buy a potter’s earthenware flask, and take some of the elders of the people and some of the elders of the priests… and proclaim there the words that I tell you… Then you shall break the flask in the sight of the men who go with you, and shall say to them, “Thus says the Lord of hosts: So will I break this people and this city, as one breaks a potter’s vessel, so that it can never be mended.” ‘ … ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, behold, I am bringing upon this city and upon all its towns all the disaster that I have pronounced against it, because they have stiffened their neck, refusing to hear my words.’ ” (v1-2, 10-11, 15)
God tries very hard to communicate with His people through His written word, His spoken word, His Holy Spirit, His witnesses, His signs and wonders, His symbolic gestures, and more. When people ‘have stiffened necks (are stubborn) and refuse to hear God’s words’, God is left with no other option than to allow calamity upon them.
I struggle with stubbornness. I’m a highly intellectual person, who does a great amount of research on topics of interest (and even some topics that don’t interest me) in an attempt to fully understand them. This data gathering habit isn’t bad, unless I’m gathering bad data which informs poor decisions. Since I “did the research” I’m less likely to listen when someone corrects the poor information I gathered.
Stubbornness / pride leads to all kinds of disaster, mostly of our own making. Let’s pray for soft and humble hearts, that are very willing to accepts God’s correction, and His words. By hearing God’s words and obeying Him we glorify our Father in Heaven, and exhibit Christlike characteristics. There may even be the added bonus of suffering fewer consequential disasters.
Father God, our Magnificent and Patient Lord, we praise Your gracious and merciful name. We thank you for relenting from destruction when people are humble and repentant. We ask for Your help in softening our hearts, and restoring us into obedience. It’s so unbelievably easy for us to be distracted in today’s world, so we invite Your Spirit’s guidance at all times. May we exhibit the characteristics of Jesus in our everyday lives, and glorify You through our increasingly-consistent obedience. Amen.
~ Conqueror in Training