A Good Thing?

While Jeremiah was still confined in the courtyard of the guard, the LORD gave him this second message: “This is what the LORD says—the LORD who made the earth, who formed and established it, whose name is the LORD: Ask me and I will tell you remarkable secrets you do not know about things to come. For this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: You have torn down the houses of this city and even the king’s palace to get materials to strengthen the walls against the siege ramps and swords of the enemy. You expect to fight the Babylonians, but the men of this city are already as good as dead, for I have determined to destroy them in my terrible anger. I have abandoned them because of all their wickedness. [Jeremiah 33.1-5]

It amazes me sometimes how we make a big deal about certain sentences in the Bible with no regard for the paragraph or context of the sentence.

There is a sentence contained in the passage above that is precisely what I am referring to. Verse 3 says this: Ask me and I will tell you remarkable secrets you do not know about things to come. This is a good thing, right? A promise to stand on, right?

However, the whole passage above reveals that the "remarkable secrets" begins with the men of Jerusalem being as good as dead because of impending conquest by the Babylonians. This is not a good thing, right? I don't know anyone who would really want to stand upon this promise!

Even with the negative aspect of the passage noted here, Jeremiah's prophecy does come around to a more positive note:

“Nevertheless, the time will come when I will heal Jerusalem’s wounds and give it prosperity and true peace. [Jeremiah 33.6]

I guess the point is that people will pay for their sin. Unrighteousness will not go unrewarded.

So, fast-forward to New Testament times... Do people still pay for their sins, or did Jesus pay it all? We run into real theological problems here because if Jesus paid it all, then why do bad things still happen (if they are indeed results of the curse upon sin). Likewise, is the work of Jesus a license for 'anything goes' since He paid it all?

I scratch my head in bewilderment about these questions more than I care to confess. I do not take lightly the work of Jesus Christ on my behalf. However, I make no small deal of faith's role in the completion of my salvation. Faith seems to be the key. Faith. Jesus Himself indicated that faith was necessary. Jesus Himself demonstrated the curse-overcoming power of faith.

When I read the Old Testament, I constantly have to remind myself about the role of Jesus Christ and faith in these New Testament times. There is no shortage of things to think about!

Father, I have really solved no mysteries here. But I have seen that there remains much to consider and learn about You. Help me on this journey of faith - so that I might indeed help others in fulfilment of my Christian duty.