Once again we have a passage directly from God concerning the sins that particularly offend him. Against the sorcerers, adulterers, liars, those who exploit the vulnerable, and those who reject the sojourners he will bear witness at judgment. Do you want to know what I see in this list? A collection of people who mislead, …
So Babylon faces judgment for sins against Judah. On the surface, this doesn’t seem entirely right, does it? God uses Babylon to punish Judah, and then he turns around and punishes Babylon for how they treated Judah. Except, God doesn’t make Babylon do anything. I think a far better way to say it would be: …
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope. This is a very popular verse, and for good reason. It is an encouragement sent to a people in exile. Once your exile has been completed, …