Jeremiah 2:31-4:9; Philippians 2:12-30
God has given all mankind a host of precious privileges and resources that are not the particular possessions of other members of His creation. For example, in Psalm 115:12-18, we read that “He has given the earth to mankind” in all its fullness (verse 16). Of course, although other forms of life (i.e., animals, plants, etc.) dwell here, mankind holds exclusive dominion over them and over the whole earth. Truly, the mechanistic universe, the animals, and the plants all glorify God solely by virtue of their creation and their placement, but only to man has God given those unique senses of self-awareness, of right and wrong, of space and time, of the future, of history, and of non-being. These special endowments relate to man’s personhood – the image of God in man – which is a unique gift to man and possessed by no other creature. We hold a singular position within all of creation, and any reduction or denial of that truth on man’s part discredits our Creator and disgraces the individual who dismisses or refuses to recognize this exalted position in creation. Psalm 115 reveals God’s “remembrance” and “blessings” of us (verse 12). Four times, the Psalmist writes the words, “He will bless …” (verses 12-13), indicating that His remembrance and blessings place a high value on us as a part of His creation. For this reason, we are to “extol and praise the LORD” (verse 18). “The dead,” now having been removed to the “place of silence,” are no longer capable of audibly or visibly praising God in this world (verse 17). But we – who are yet alive – are expected to understand and to fulfill our responsibility to praise, love, and demonstrate our gratitude to God for His greatness and for all He has given to us. As we said yesterday – we must remember to honor the Lord in the here and now.
Jeremiah 2:31-4:9 describes the unfaithfulness of the two Israelite kingdoms – even after all God had done for them. Like shameful, unfaithful women who have defiled their marriages and disappointed their husbands, both Israel and Judah would not show honor to their Creator by addressing Him lovingly as their Father (cf., 3:19). Psalm 115 should have served as a reminder that God “remembered” them (cf., Psalm 115:12), even when “they had forgotten the LORD their God” (verse 21). In chapters 3-4, we see how God pleads with both nations [and us] to return to Him: “Return faithless Israel …” (verse 3:12); “Return faithless people …” (verse 3:22); “Return to me …” (verse 4:1); and “Circumcise your hearts …” (verse 4:4). “How it pierces to the heart; O my anguish … I writhe in pain” (verses 4:18-19). Here, we see through the tears and the heartbreak of the prophet how God expressed His own heartbreak and tears over Israel’s – [and our] – unfaithfulness. May we always remember to honor the Lord.
Philippians 2:12-30 also expands on this idea of extolling the Lord and continuing to honor Him through faithful service. Paul insists that we “hold fast to the word of life, shine like stars, and not grumble” (verses 14-15). Paul calls us to recognize our position and to “become blameless and pure – children of God – without fault in a crooked and depraved generation” (verse 15). Here, Paul cites the examples of Timothy and Epaphroditus – both of whom “took a genuine interest in the welfare” of the Philippians (verses 22 and 30). Their conduct – looking out for the interests of others” (verses 20-22) – was like that of Jesus Christ. Such behavior honors our Lord.
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