Daily Devotions
What Can Happen In Just One Generation
Reading for August 22nd: Jeremiah 35-37
Then the king sent Jehudi to get the scroll, and he took it from the chamber of Elishama the secretary. And Jehudi read it to the king and all the officials who stood beside the king. It was the ninth month, and the king was sitting in the winter house, and there was a fire burning in the fire pot before him. As Jehudi read three or four columns, the king would cut them off with a knife and throw them into the fire in the fire pot, until the entire scroll was consumed in the fire that was in the fire pot. Yet neither the king nor any of his servants who heard all these words was afraid, nor did they tear their garments. Even when Elnathan and Delaiah and Gemariah urged the king not to burn the scroll, he would not listen to them.
Jeremiah 36:21-25
When Josiah, who was Jehoiakim's father, heard the words of the Law read he tore his clothes. However, Jehoiakim did not tear his clothes. Instead, he took the Word of God and cut it up, burning each piece in the fire.
This should be a frightening passage for all of us. It shows us how quickly attitudes towards God's Word can change in just one generation. Though a generation of disciples are bold to follow God's Word and fought bravely to win back their generation to the true worship of God, their children after them may show no tenderness at all to what God says. Rather they scoff at the commands of God and make light of those who would rend their garments over sin.
This should be a cautionary tale to those of us who grew up among those who were zealous to follow God's Word. Let us not become like Jehoiakim.
Father, teach us to tremble at your Word and to rend our hearts and our garments if we are disobedient to you.
