Returning to our Bible Survey, the title seems to be a misfit for the actual passage we focus on. But more about that later.

First we follow up on matters that we mentioned last week.

Regarding a Misspelled Trump poster that was removed from a Library of Congress store: The misspelling had nothing to do with his name, but a quotation on the poster. Dumb news, but not as funny. .

We also had some fun in figuring out what the word, “sanctimonious” means. Let’s just say it had nothing to do with the set apart money found on the Free Parking space in the board game Monopoly. Yes, we really did know what it means, but to clear the air, Keith shares the definition from Miriam Webster’s dictionary.

Dumb news is back, and though Chris gets a clean sweep in answering the questions, it would have been better if our missing co-host didn’t have to work today.

Main Topic

Bible Survey 10: Many Kings Fail to Heed God.

Jeremiah 1:1-17

On the surface, this passage seems all about Jeremiah, and his call as a prophet. But why was he called? Not for his sake, or because he was a cool guy who could talk sense to the king. A long history of decline in the nature of the kings was coming to a head. A list of kings from David to Zedekiah is reviewed to show how a pattern of good kings and bad kings led to this moment.

God created, and designed Jeremiah to be suited for the purpose of bringing a hard message to an evil group of leaders.

After an anonymous guest reader who lives in Keith’s iPhone bible app reads us the chapter. All 19 verses of it. We turn to using a summary from Matthew Henry’s Commentary, we step through the process recorded in this chapter.

Time (verses 1-3). As boring as a list of names, places, and times are, here’s why it proves the bible is a true and trustworthy authority. From the list of kings we presented, we can tell the tail end of that list is presented here, and is accurate. Complete? No. Accurate? Yes. Archaeologists can dig in the dirt, and find ancient evidence that these kings ruled in the time, place, and sequence the bible writers claim.

The Calling (verses 4-10).

God: Consecrated. and appointed Jeremiah. How can authority and power come from any higher source?

Jeremiah: His excuses: I can’t speak. I’m only a youth.

God: Don’t claim youth. Youth doesn’t last, age and experience comes, but God’s plans are starting now, as we’ll see.

God continues: You will indeed go. You will indeed speak.

He promises assurance: Don’t fear them. I’ll deliver you. I’m the one who puts words in your mouth. Jeremiah is given authority over nations.

Prophetic visions of an almond rod and a boiling pot (verses 11-15).

Jeremiah gets an easy test of confidence. Easy in that God explains the visions as they come to Jeremiah. There’s no doubt about the speed the events will come, and the destruction in store.

The symbol of Almonds: They’re Early blooming (January). Early to produce (March).

Meaning: It’s going to begin soon, The early sign of blossoms probably already past, and the product of the tree is at hand.

The symbol of the boiling pot: War. Kind of a no brainer.

Meaning: Destruction from the north. Certainly, and completely.

His heavy message against Judah (verse16).

16 And I will declare my judgments against them, for all their evil in forsaking me. They have made offerings to other gods and worshiped the works of their own hands.

Why the destruction? For evil, forsaking god, and worshipping idols.

Wait. Is that all? No huge list of sins and infractions?

Isn’t it enough? A short list, but high impact. All manner of evil and abominable behavior can be wrapped up in the simple statement of verse 16.