Jeremiah 17-18

Jeremiah 17-18

Chapter 17: Keep the Sabbath Day

Judah is fatally inclined to idolatry. The happiness of the man that trusts in the Lord is contrasted with the man that trusteth in man.

“…Cursed be the man that trusteth in man… and whose heart departeth from the Lord.” (Jeremiah 17:5) God alone knows the deceit and wretchedness of the heart of man. A comparison is made between a bird's hatching the eggs of another species, which will soon forsake her, and the vanity of them is ill-acquired riches. Jeremiah talks of his sincerity, and prays that the evil intended him by his enemies may revert on their own heads. “Let them be confounded that persecute me…” (Jeremiah 17:18)

God will always fight our battles for us, if we follow His commandments. Therefore if someone is persecuting you, for what you believe… the Lord will protect you, by confounding them!

Jeremiah tells us that the people “…say unto me, Where is the word of the Lord? Let it come now.” (Jeremiah 17:15) Those who believe in the Word of God and know when something is from God, because they can feel His spirit, will know and accept the Book of Mormon as Word of God. The “Word” of God is not limited to the “Bible”, the Bible is indeed part of the Word of God, but is not His complete record or Word.

 “…hallow the sabbath day, to do no work therein.” (Jeremiah 17:24)

                In Jeremiah 17:22-27 we read about the importance of the keeping the Sabbath Day holy. The Lord speaks to us through the writings of Jeremiah saying that we must not do any work on the Sabbath Day. This means that we should not be working to make money or make others work. We can however serve or do things that relax us and put us closer to God.

Chapter 18: Repent and God will Repent

                The house of Israel is like clay in the hands of a potter. The inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem are invited to repent; their refusal is as unnatural as someone preferring the snowy Lebanon or barren rock to a fruitful plain, or other waters to the cool stream of the fountain. Those who continue to do in evil in the sight of the Lord will be punished, and those who repent will have the anger and wrath of God withheld from them. A conspiracy is formed against Jeremiah, who appeals to God, and curses his enemies. The Jews will be scattered.

Psalms 109-110

Psalms 109-110

Chapter 109: Cursing’s of the wicked

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David

                David speaks of the wicked people who curse him with “…a lying tongue.” (Psalms 109:2) David prays that his adversaries will be confounded.

                We also learn from David a little about how the church of Jesus Christ is set up and run and how priesthood authority and keys are transferred. “Let his days be few; and let another take his office.” (Psalms 109:8). Here it is talking about the office of leadership. We read more about this in Acts… “…Let his habitation be desolate and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take.” (Acts 1:20)

Chapter 110: Melchizedek

A Psalm of David

                Here we learn about Melchizedek, who was a great prophet. Jesus Christ shall sit on the Lord’s right hand and shall be forever “…a priest after the order of Melchizedek” (Psalms 110:4)

                Unfortunately not a lot is written in the Bible about Melchizedek. We do learn a little more from Hebrews Chapter 7. Melchizedek or “Melchisedec” in the Bible was “Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the son of God; abideth a priest continually” (Hebrews 7:3) Melchizedek was compared to Jesus Christ, and after Melcizedek does the priesthood go to Jesus Christ.

                Melchizedek was a great prophet and high priest that according to modern scripture in the Book of Mormon “…none were greater…” (Alma 13:19). Melchizedek was so highly esteemed by God, that it is after his name that we identify the highest priesthood “…the Holy Priesthood, after the Order of the Son of God. But out of respect or reverence to the name of the Supreme Being, to avoid the too frequent repetition of his name, they, the church in ancient days, called that priesthood after Melchizedek, or the Melchizedek Priesthood.” (Doctrine and Covenants 107:3-4)

                *as a side note: Verse 1 reads: “The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.” (Psalms 110:1) This one verse of scripture is believed to be (by most historians) to be the most confusing and/or most talked about verse of the Bible. It is confusing for many reasons:

1.  Many people believe that Jehovah is speaking to God (or in other words “Jehovah” being Jesus Christ is actually speaking to God the Father or “Elohim”. This however doesn’t make sense, because “Jehovah” was the “God of the Old Testament.
2. In the Hebrew text it reads: “Jehovah said unto Adonai” which ‘Adonai’ is a title or term of respect. Some believe that the other “Lord” was used as a substitution for “Adonai” and was actually speaking about David himself.
3.  However, David has used this to say he sits on the right side of God like he is Jehovah. (See Psalms 16:8 and 16:11)