Jeremiah 2:32, 33 NET Does a young woman forget to put on her jewels? Does a bride forget to put on her bridal attire? But my people have forgotten me for more days than can even be counted. “My, how good you have become at chasing after your lovers! Why, you could even teach prostitutes a thing or two! (Jeremiah 2:32, 33 NET) First Jeremiah tries to compare Israel to a bride, which is a real surprise after everything else he’s been saying so far. The really cool thing is HOW he compares her to a bride. Does a young woman forget to put on her jewels? What is the point of her jewels? To ornament herself, to make herself beautiful, to show off her wealth, or her inheritance, or her rich lover? How do you spot a bride coming from a mile away? Does a bride forget to put on her bridal attire? By her smile or the marriage license in the groom’s back pocket? NO! By her dress! The...
Hosea 2:11 I will put an end to all her celebration: her annual religious festivals, monthly new moon celebrations, and weekly Sabbath festivities – all her appointed festivals. Look at what is on this list–It’s all of the religious things that Israel was doing! Somebody might say, “Wait, didn’t God ask them to do all of these religious things?” Yep, He did, but they were all for the reason of drawing closer to the one true God and they were doing these things for every deity on their list! They went all over looking for spiritual beings and the sacrifices or activities that would please them! God is Jealous There are a lot of people that don’t like the idea that God is a jealous God. The idea of being jealous or selfish seems controlling, limiting. Honestly, I think people don’t like the idea of being controlled because they haven’t had somebody stick up for them. If you’ve been...
For I am doing a work in your days, a work you would never believe, even if someone tells you.’ – Acts 13:41 Paul tells the people in Pisidian Antioch all about how all of Jewish history has been leading up to the birth of Christ, and then he quotes Habakkuk at the end of it. … Now if you who are Israel won’t turn to God and believe Jesus is the Messiah, the Gentiles will come in and plunder the blessing that is for you!”
Here is an old video I came across on thoughts on fellowship offerings in Joel.