Background:
-Chapters 2 and 3 both use the symbol of a broken family to describe the relationship between God and the people
Jeremiah, Chapter 2 (click the link to read or use your own Bible)
Questions for reflection:
-In 2:5, God asks the people why they got so distracted and started chasing after worthless, meaningless things. What are the biggest distractions you face, pulling you away from your life of faith?
-These chapters are hard for me to read. There is a strong undercurrent of judgement. But also, underneath it all, God seems so very sad at how far the people have drifted. God so deeply longs to be in relationship with us all. What are your thoughts? Agree? Disagree?
What distracts me of my faith life. Work, family, TV, Novels, material things. It is easier to sleep in on Sunday morning than get up and go to church. But I have learned that I need to get to church on Sunday to get refueled for the week ahead. The rest is a matter of what I choose to spend my time on. It is easier to read a novel than to try and make sense of a Bible reading. I agree that there is judjement. It makes me glad that this was before Christ, because I know I am just as much of a sinner as the people of Judah. I neglect my bible reading and prayer life. Especially when things are going good. When lifes bumps come along then I come back to God and say as in verse 27, "Come and save me". God sounds like a parent trying to get his children to love and respect him. I agree that Chapter 2 sounds like God wants a relationship with Judah's people.
ReplyDeleteWhat distracts me of my faith life. Work, family, TV, Novels, material things. It is easier to sleep in on Sunday morning than get up and go to church. But I have learned that I need to get to church on Sunday to get refueled for the week ahead. The rest is a matter of what I choose to spend my time on. It is easier to read a novel than to try and make sense of a Bible reading. I agree that there is judjement. It makes me glad that this was before Christ, because I know I am just as much of a sinner as the people of Judah. I neglect my bible reading and prayer life. Especially when things are going good. When lifes bumps come along then I come back to God and say as in verse 27, "Come and save me". God sounds like a parent trying to get his children to love and respect him. I agree that Chapter 2 sounds like God wants a relationship with Judah's people.
ReplyDeleteWhat distracts me of my faith life. Work, family, TV, Novels, material things. It is easier to sleep in on Sunday morning than get up and go to church. But I have learned that I need to get to church on Sunday to get refueled for the week ahead. The rest is a matter of what I choose to spend my time on. It is easier to read a novel than to try and make sense of a Bible reading. I agree that there is judjement. It makes me glad that this was before Christ, because I know I am just as much of a sinner as the people of Judah. I neglect my bible reading and prayer life. Especially when things are going good. When lifes bumps come along then I come back to God and say as in verse 27, "Come and save me". God sounds like a parent trying to get his children to love and respect him. I agree that Chapter 2 sounds like God wants a relationship with Judah's people.
ReplyDeleteMy greatest distraction is the negativity and unfortunate situations I encounter through my job. Constantly being surrounded by bad things makes it easy to become desensitized and gravitate towards accepting that behavior. Even though I do not do what they do, I feel like being around it draws me away from my faith life at times.
ReplyDeleteOn a positive note, I think the very up-front, judgmental tone does grab our attention, which is a good thing sometimes.