Jer 18-22 Saying NO for the bigger picture

August 17th, Jeremiah 18-22

       When our kids were growing up, we had a pretty strict policy of not rescuing them from their irresponsibility. There are lots of stories, but one that proves the point well had to do with bringing home permission slips for school outings. In short, if you don't get your permission slip in you don't get to go...wherever. One of our children missed out on a couple of events because they couldn't make it happen. Sure enough our child calls from school..."please come over and sign this." To which we replied..."Learn how to take care of your business by not going on this field trip."
       God is working out this same story with a nation of people when he makes, what feels like, uncomfortable statements like in 21:5 The people are asking God to fight for them(come sign my permission slip) "I myself will fight against you with outstretched hand and strong arm, in anger and in fury and in great wrath." If this feels like a strange stance on behalf of God, I think parents know the full brunt of God's heart hear. Your asking me to fight for you while your doing everything wrong. Running in to rescue you will not help you, there is something more profound that needs to happen here. God, being the good God he is, let's them know how this could go different if they wanted...
      "Do Justice and Righteousness, and deliver from the hand of the oppressor him who has robbed. Do no wrong or violence to the resident alien, the fatherless, and the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place. For if you indeed obey this word, then there shall enter the gates of this house kings who sit on the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses, they and their servants and their people."
       I am always for my kids, but there are moments when greater things are to be learned than "daddy will always fix everything for you all the time no matter how irresponsible you are." God's doing the same thing here, a blessing through punishment with a clear picture of how to do things his way.