Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 48:35, 42

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 48:35, 42

"Moreover I will cause to cease in Moab, saith the LORD, him that offereth in the high places, and him that burneth incense to his gods.

And Moab shall be destroyed from being a people, because he hath magnified himself against the LORD."

The people of Moab were destroyed for their practice of idolatry in holy places. There maybe people that live there today but they are not the people once called the people of Moab. It made me ponder on how serious a matter it is to abuse the temple and holy places with false doctrines and practices. I would not want to stand in their shoes.

Day 2952

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 47:1-2

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 47:1-2

"The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet against the Philistines, before that Pharaoh smote Gaza.

Thus saith the LORD; Behold, waters rise up out of the north, and shall be an overflowing flood, and shall overflow the land, and all that is therein; the city, and them that dwell therein: then the men shall cry, and all the inhabitants of the land shall howl."

Jeremiah prophesies of war where the wicked destroy the wicked.

"The “waters” that “rise up out of the north” refers to a multitude of people coming from Chaldea. The stamping of hoofs, the rushing of chariots, and the rumbling of wheels describe a war. The destruction is attributed to the Lord, who allows wicked nations to do such things against those who have become ripe in iniquity."

(Old Testament Student Manual Kings-Malachi, "Prophecies of a Latter-day Gathering" (25-20) Jeremiah 47. The Destruction of the Philistines Foretold)

"But, behold, the judgments of God will overtake the wicked; and it is by the wicked that the wicked are punished; for it is the wicked that stir up the hearts of the children of men unto bloodshed."

(Mormon 4:5)

Day 2951

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 46:28

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 46:28

"Fear thou not, O Jacob my servant, saith the LORD: for I am with thee; for I will make a full end of all the nations whither I have driven thee: but I will not make a full end of thee, but correct thee in measure; yet will I not leave thee wholly unpunished."

This made me think of the scripture where the Lord's hands are stretched out still. Even though this remnant of Judah and Jerusalem did not listen to Jeremiah, and went where they should not have gone, the Lord is promising to preserve a remnant of them. They will face correction and be punished, but with mercy some will survive.

"Therefore, is the anger of the Lord kindled against his people, and he hath stretched forth his hand against them, and hath smitten them; and the hills did tremble, and their carcasses were torn in the midst of the streets. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still."

(2 Nephi 15:25)

Day 2950

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 45:3

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 45:3

"Thou didst say, Woe is me now! for the LORD hath added grief to my sorrow; I fainted in my sighing, and I find no rest."

Baruch is Jeremiah's scribe and he is hearing all the warnings the Lord has given and the condition of rebellion the people are in. He breaks down and says "Woe is me!" and can find no rest. I pondered on how when you focus on only the horrible things that are going on in the world there is no rest. When you are going against God's commandments there is also no rest. What I see in this chapter is the Lord speaking to Baruch, he acknowledges how he is feeling and tells him his life will be preserved. That would have to give comfort to know that God is aware of you and your needs.

Day 2949

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 44:16-17

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 44:16-17

"As for the word that thou hast spoken unto us in the name of the LORD, we will not hearken unto thee.

But we will certainly do whatsoever thing goeth forth out of our own mouth, to burn incense unto the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, as we have done, we, and our fathers, our kings, and our princes, in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem: for then had we plenty of victuals, and were well, and saw no evil."

I think after hearing that I would just want to back away and get as far away from them as possible. It's all just going to burn. Nothing goods from any of this language. It how I feel when I hear of people praying to a heavenly mother too. It's amazing how ripe for destruction people are when they can so boldly tell a prophet he's wrong.

Day 2948

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 43:2

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 43:2

"Then spake Azariah the son of Hoshaiah, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the proud men, saying unto Jeremiah, Thou speakest falsely: the LORD our God hath not sent thee to say, Go not into Egypt to sojourn there:"

Pretty foolish to tell a prophet he is speaking falsely. Especially since Babylon just carried people away as Jeremiah prophesied they would. You would think the remnant left would hang on every word the prophet spoke. It is the foolishness of man to think they know better than the prophet. Yet, that is exactly what people are still doing today.

Day 2947

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 42:2-3, 20

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 42:2-3, 20

"And said unto Jeremiah the prophet, Let, we beseech thee, our supplication be accepted before thee, and pray for us unto the LORD thy God, even for all this remnant; (for we are left but a few of many, as thine eyes do behold us:)

That the LORD thy God may shew us the way wherein we may walk, and the thing that we may do."

For ye dissembled in your hearts, when ye sent me unto the LORD your God, saying, Pray for us unto the LORD our God; and according unto all that the LORD our God shall say, so declare unto us, and we will do it."

I was encouraged to see that the remnant of Judah asked the prophet Jeremiah what they should do. But in the end it says they "dissembled in your hearts" which in HEB means "have deceived your souls". The people were told not to go into Egypt and in their hearts that is what they already decided they were going to do regardless of what Jeremiah said to them. Why do we do that?

It also made me think about Moses and the children of Israel that didn't want to talk to God but wanted Moses to do it for them. I think that was the same problem with the people in Judah. They didn't want to talk to God and receive personal revelation for their lives and what they should do. They wanted the prophet to tell them, and then they could disregard it. It reminds me again of that quote from President Nelson and the great need for us to be spiritual prepared to receive revelation over our own stewardship..

"But in coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost."

(Russell M. Nelson, "Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives", Apr 2018 General Conference)

Day 2946

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 41:3-4

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 41:3-4

"Ishmael also slew all the Jews that were with him, even with Gedaliah, at Mizpah, and the Chaldeans that were found there, and the men of war.

And it came to pass the second day after he had slain Gedaliah, and no man knew it,"

The king of Babylon set Gedaliah as governor over Judah. He had been warned that the king of the Ammonites had sent Ishmael to kill him. Sadly, Gedaliah didn't believe the warning and now he was killed. Not only was he killed but many of those around him including Jew and Chaldeans. Jeremiah had been protected for he was there in Jerusalem. What this made me think of was secret combinations. This is not how the Lord works. He does not work in darkness. I have been reminded of this as I've listened to a trial that is now going on. It shows apostasy and secret combinations are still around. I am amazed at those that followed them. Their works and doctrines are all counter to the gospel. I am grateful it is being exposed.

"And it came to pass that thus they did agree with Akish. And Akish did administer unto them the oaths which were given by them of old who also sought power, which had been handed down even from Cain, who was a murderer from the beginning.

And they were kept up by the power of the devil to administer these oaths unto the people, to keep them in darkness, to help such as sought power to gain power, and to murder, and to plunder, and to lie, and to commit all manner of wickedness and whoredoms.

And it was the daughter of Jared who put it into his heart to search up these things of old; and Jared put it into the heart of Akish; wherefore, Akish administered it unto his kindred and friends, leading them away by fair promises to do whatsoever thing he desired.

And it came to pass that they formed a secret combination, even as they of old; which combination is most abominable and wicked above all, in the sight of God;

For the Lord worketh not in secret combinations, neither doth he will that man should shed blood, but in all things hath forbidden it, from the beginning of man.

(Ether 8:15-19)

Day 2945

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 40:2, 9

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 40:2, 9

"And the captain of the guard took Jeremiah, and said unto him, The LORD thy God hath pronounced this evil upon this place.

And Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan sware unto them and to their men, saying, Fear not to serve the Chaldeans: dwell in the land, and serve the king of Babylon, and it shall be well with you."

Jeremiah is take in chains with the other Jews to Ramah and there he is released. The captain of the guard having been impressed to let him go. He knew that it was in God's hand that certain Jews were punished and carried away. Jeremiah was free to go to Babylon or return to Jerusalem. I love how the people that were left in Jerusalem were the poor and lower class. The remanent left must have been in reality the true cream of the crop. There the prophet goes to be with them. Even though they had to pass through terrible things there must have been a peace knowing that things would go well for them. Yes, they have to be ruled by others, but is that so hard when you know the Lord has blessed you to be at this point.

Day 2944

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 39:4

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 39:4

"And it came to pass, that when Zedekiah the king of Judah saw them, and all the men of war, then they fled, and went forth out of the city by night, by the way of the king’s garden, by the gate betwixt the two walls: and he went out the way of the plain."

This shows the importance in not delaying in listening to the prophet's voice. The people had delayed repenting to the point all that was left was for Jeremiah to warn them that they needed to leave Jerusalem. Instead they wanted to kill him for it, and eventually put him in prison. Now Zedekiah is fleeing for his life. The words of Jeremiah must have been ringing in his ears. Now he could see with his own eyes prophecy being fulfilled, until he is captured and his eyes are put out. We pay a very heavy price when we do not follow the prophet. This quote by President Nelson still rings in my ears.

"But in coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost."

(Russell M. Nelson, "Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives", Apr 2018 General Conference)

Day 2943

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 38:2, 4

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 38:2, 4

"Thus saith the LORD, He that remaineth in this city shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence: but he that goeth forth to the Chaldeans shall live; for he shall have his life for a prey, and shall live.

Therefore the princes said unto the king, We beseech thee, let this man be put to death: for thus he weakeneth the hands of the men of war that remain in this city, and the hands of all the people, in speaking such words unto them: for this man seeketh not the welfare of this people, but the hurt."

I found it interesting that the reason the princes did not like Jeremiah, and wished him dead, was because the prophesies he gave was to leave Jerusalem and not stay and defend it. Politically and militarily he was a problem, in what they perceived was their ability to fight this war. They thought he was hurting the people, when in reality he cared more for their welfare, both spiritually and physically then they did.

It made me ponder on the Jews and how some did not receive Christ, and even had him killed, because they perceived the Messiah would be a might warrior and fight their battles and free them from Rome. When in reality the Lord was there to free them from eternal bondage. It's interesting how the adversary can use political means to turn people from the Lord toward him. I think we have that same mentality happening today. We can get so lost in our own battles that we go beyond the mark and miss the whole purpose and message on what we should be focusing on. I am so grateful for a prophet of God, and the scriptures. They keep me grounded and focused on what really matters.

Day 2942

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 37:17,19

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 37:17,19

"Then Zedekiah the king sent, and took him out: and the king asked him secretly in his house, and said, Is there any word from the LORD? And Jeremiah said, There is: for, said he, thou shalt be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon.

Where are now your prophets which prophesied unto you, saying, The king of Babylon shall not come against you, nor against this land?"

I liked both of these verse. First for the way king Zedekiah secretly asked Jeremiah if there was any word from the Lord. It's that I want to know what the Lord says, but only if you tell me good things. They were not happy being told they would fall into Babylon's hands. Then I liked how Jeremiah asks them where are the "prophets" that told you opposite of what I said would happen. Yeah, false prophets just fade into the background when they are proven wrong.

Day 2941

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 36:2, 32

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 36:2, 32

"Take thee a roll of a book, and write therein all the words that I have spoken unto thee against Israel, and against Judah, and against all the nations, from the day I spake unto thee, from the days of Josiah, even unto this day.

Then took Jeremiah another roll, and gave it to Baruch the scribe, the son of Neriah; who wrote therein from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the book which Jehoiakim king of Judah had burned in the fire: and there were added besides unto them many like words."

Jeremiah was faithful and had Baruch write on the roll of a book all prophecies he dictated to him. Once the roll was read Jehoiakim, the king burned the book. As if destroying something like that would stop the fulfillment of prophesy. You cannot stop the Lord's work. Jeremiah was again commanded by the Lord to have Baurch scribe the prophecies and this time even more prophecies were given.

This all made me think of a video I watched this morning from Expedition Bible, "The OLDEST copy of the Scriptures every found! (Even older than the Dead Sea Scrolls)". What I found fascinating is these two small silver rolls date to the 7th century BC. The time of the first temple period, and Jeremiah. This is the time of Lehi, and Nephi, and Laban and the brass plates. In order to retain the scriptures they were engraven on metal plates, be it silver or brass. As I could see from this chapter if they were written on parchment they stood the chance of being destroyed.

"And also a record of the Jews from the beginning, even down to the commencement of the reign of Zedekiah, king of Judah;

And also the prophecies of the holy prophets, from the beginning, even down to the commencement of the reign of Zedekiah; and also many prophecies which have been spoken by the mouth of Jeremiah.

Wherefore, he said that these plates of brass should never perish; neither should they be dimmed any more by time. And he prophesied many things concerning his seed."

(1 Nephi 5:12-13, 19)

Day 2940

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 35:18-19

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 35:18-19

"And Jeremiah said unto the house of the Rechabites, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Because ye have obeyed the commandment of Jonadab your father, and kept all his precepts, and done according unto all that he hath commanded you:

Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Jonadab the son of Rechab shall not want a man to stand before me for ever."

At first I thought of the fifth commandment.

"Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee."

(Exodus 20:12)

Blessings come from keeping the commandments and honoring our parents.

"..the Lord told the Prophet Jeremiah to go into the house of certain men called Rechabites and to invite them into the house of the Lord and give them wine to drink. When wine was placed before them, however, they refused to drink because their father had counseled them never to drink wine  "Thus have we obeyed the voice of . . . our father in all that he hath charged us" they said. After these young men had reaffirmed their steadfastness in following the counsel of their father, the Lord through his prophet pronounced upon them a special blessing. He decreed that members of this family and their seed would always be numbered among the righteous."

(Bishop John V. Vandenberg, "Follow Counsel", Oct 1964 General Conference) 

Day 2939

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 34:8-11

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 34:8-11

"This is the word that came unto Jeremiah from the LORD, after that the king Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people which were at Jerusalem, to proclaim liberty unto them;

That every man should let his manservant, and every man his maidservant, being an Hebrew or an Hebrewess, go free; that none should serve himself of them, to wit, of a Jew his brother.

Now when all the princes, and all the people, which had entered into the covenant, heard that every one should let his manservant, and every one his maidservant, go free, that none should serve themselves of them any more, then they obeyed, and let them go.

But afterward they turned, and caused the servants and the handmaids, whom they had let go free, to return, and brought them into subjection for servants and for handmaids."

The people made a solemn covenant to release their slaves. Even though the law was to do so on the seventh year, it's more likely they agreed to this because they would have more manpower to defend a city under siege. They were being opportunist and not out of being faithful to the words of the Lord, the prophet or their king. Once the siege began to lift the men regardless of their oath turned around and re-enslaved their fellow Hebrews. This unrighteous act brought immediate condemnation from the Lord upon their heads.

I thought about how you can give an appearance of being righteous but by their fruits you will know them.

"Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit."

(Matthew 7:16-17)

"Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit."

(Matthew 12:33)

Day 2938