引言：心愿石
一、死不悔改的后果（V1-9）
1. 家破国亡即被掳（V1-3，8-9）
尽管神40年里透过耶利米用尽各种方法，希望百姓能回转。但他们都把神的告诫当城耳边风，死不悔改。结果在西底家第9年10月，也就是主前588年，尼布甲尼撒率军攻打耶路撒冷。用了1年半的时间就将城墙攻破了。
经文的记载让我们再次看到神恒久忍耐的属性以外，也彰显了神的公义与信实。当百姓与君王死不悔改，公义与信实的神必会实行祂所说的审判。我相信当神实行审判时，还是出于爱与的恩慈。因为祂知道，如果让百姓不被管教，就会继续败坏下去，他们的结局是全部都灭亡。但在关键时刻施于管教，若他们愿意顺服听从，就算被掳，他们的性命必被存留，到了时候必要归回。
2.生不如死阶下囚（V4-7）
在昨天的38章，耶利米劝西底家投降。这样他和全家都必存活就必存活、圣城也不至被火焚烧。但他死不悔改，城被攻破时还依然故我的叛逆神的旨意。在夜间偷偷的出城，往亚拉巴逃去，想到摩押或亞扪去寻求庇护。结果被抓，经历了尼布甲尼撒残酷和悲惨的惩罚。他不但眼睛被剜出来还，更被铜炼锁着掳到巴比伦去。最惨的是在瞎眼前，他亲眼目睹他的亲信、贵胄和众子一个个的被杀。相信此刻他的心情应该是生不如死。
弟兄姐妹，让我们抓住每个生命被纠正，可以对齐神的机会。当权柄和牧者劝勉时，让我们不要充耳不闻。要回到神面前寻求。纵使我们觉得自己好像落在神的管教中也不要气馁。只要转向神，就有出路。千万不要选择不悔改而被仇敌掳掠或成为被困锁，生不如死的阶下囚。
此外，2千6百多年前关于耶路撒冷将要灭亡的预言，恶人和义人的命运的每个细节，都一一地照着神说的成就在历史中。 神是说有就有，命立就立的神。神口中所出的话必成就，决不徒然返回。祝福是这样、咒诅也是这样。而我们的结局是祝福或咒诅，就在乎我们的选择是什么？
二、蒙神纪念与施恩（v10-18）
1. 被欺压的得产业（V10）
表面上护卫长尼布撒拉旦是为了与没有地业的贫民建立友好关系和不让土地荒芜，把葡萄园和田地派给穷人管理。其实是公平公义的神看顾这群过去长期被同胞压榨、侵吞的穷苦人。他们终于得产业，有管理资产的机会。
在日常生活中，当面临不公平的待遇或感到被压迫时，要相信公义的神，在祂的时间里，会为我们伸张正义，赐下恩典。我们也要按耶稣的教导，祝福那些欺压我们的人，让他们也可以来认识神。相信我们听过很多见证，当我们愿意开口祝福这些人的时候，自己反而变得轻松，思绪马上得平安。此外，我们也当反映神的心意，关心那些处于困境中的弱势群体，分享我们的资源，帮助他们恢复基本生活和尊严。
2. 忠于神的得尊荣（V11-14）
巴比伦人非常迷信，特别尊崇术士与占卜的人。他们可能把耶利米看作灵媒，也可能把他当作一位有影响力的亲巴比伦派，所以尼布甲尼撒王下令释放耶利米、并且加以特别保护。其实这都是因为神眷爱耶利米而感动了尼布甲尼撒。也是神向耶利米实践祂的承诺和使他得尊荣。
沙番的孙子亚希甘的儿子基大利，被巴比伦立为管理犹大余民的省长。在24章的记载，他的父亲亚希甘之前就保护过耶利米。这是一个祖孙代代都敬畏神的家庭。因此也得着尊荣。
弟兄姐妹，能够服事神是神给我们的恩典和福分。因为神要让我们透过在地上的服事，累计天上的基业。也透过服事，把我们生命中的许多的刺给磨掉。让我们更像祂。我们要在小事上忠心，这样神才能托付更大的事给我们。所以，抓住每个忠心服事神的机会，忠心为主摆上不妥协。听从神的，神必使我们得尊荣、得保护。
3. 依靠神的得拯救（V15-18）
当耶利米还在护卫兵院中时，神要他去对以伯．米勒说话。以伯米勒（古实、外邦人）是西底家王宫中的一个太监。他冒险迎救了在井中陷在淤泥里的耶利米。神说当城被毁灭时，他却要得到拯救，因为他不怕权势信靠神走在正义的路上。
西底家王，是神的选民，因为怕人选择不听从神。以伯米勒，一个外邦人，却不怕人选择敬畏信靠神，走在正义的路上。弟兄姐妹，但愿从以伯米勒与西底家的结局，能给我们的生命带来提醒。
总结：珍惜机会
耶利米书有52章，今天来到39章。也许我们每天看会觉得每天讲来讲去都大同小异，很容易就掉入麻木不仁。很容易就将神要给我们的‘心愿石’顺手丢入海里，导致后悔莫及。
我们很多人的心中其实也有一个西底家王。我们知道神的心意、却没有力量顺服。总是相信自己的判断过于神的命令。甚至有时候会告诉自己，还有机会，下次再说吧。我们忘记了自己无法决定是否还有下一次的机会。在5785年里，求神赐我们恩典，当圣灵用微小的声音提醒我们时，让珍惜神赐的每一个悔改和顺服的机会。更要抓住每个服事神的机会。面对神的呼召和指引时，不能心存侥幸或固执己见，不要等到失去后才后悔莫及。让我们乘恩典之门仍敞开时，珍惜机会，赎回所失去的，尤其是顺服和信靠神的力量。
Jeremiah 39: Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late to Regret
GK611 Morning Devotion
24/09/2024
The Morning Devotion Speaker: Ps. Deborah
Introduction: Stone of Wishes
I. The Consequences of Unrepentance (v1-9)
1. Destruction and Exile (v1-3, 8-9) Despite God using Jeremiah for 40 years in various ways to call the people to repentance, they ignored His warnings and remained unrepentant. As a result, in the ninth year and tenth month of King Zedekiah’s reign (588 BC), Nebuchadnezzar attacked Jerusalem. Within 1.5 year, the city’s walls were penetrated.
This passage reminds us of God’s enduring patience, but it also highlights His justice and faithfulness. When both the people and the king refused to repent, God, who is righteous and faithful, carried out His promised judgment. I believe that even in judgment, God’s actions are out of love and mercy. He knew that if the people were left undisciplined, they would continue to corrupt themselves, leading to complete destruction. But if they submitted to discipline, their lives would be spared, and they would return in due time.
2. Prisoners in Misery (v4-7) In the previous chapter (Jeremiah 38), Jeremiah urged Zedekiah to surrender so that he and his family might live, and the city would not be burned. However, Zedekiah remained unrepentant, and when the city was breached, he fled at night, hoping to find refuge in Moab or Ammon. He was captured and subjected to cruel and harsh punishment by Nebuchadnezzar. His eyes were gouged out, and he was bound in bronze chains and taken to Babylon. The most tragic moment came when, before being blinded, he was forced to watch his trusted officials, nobles, and sons being killed. At that moment, he surely felt that death would be better than living.
Brothers and sisters, let us seize every opportunity for correction to align ourselves with God. When authorities and shepherds offer counsel, let us not ignore it but return to God. Even if we feel we are under God’s discipline, we should not be discouraged. As long as we turn to God, there is hope. We must not choose stubbornness and risk becoming prisoners, bound in misery and regret.
Moreover, the prophecy made 2600 years ago about the destruction of Jerusalem and the fate of the wicked and righteous was fulfilled in exact detail, just as God had spoken. God is the one who speaks and it is done. His words will always come to pass, whether blessings or curses. Our destiny, whether it be blessing or curse, is determined by the choices we make.
II. God’s Remembrance and Grace (v10-18)
1. The Oppressed Receive Inheritance (v10) On the surface, it seemed that Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, was trying to win the favor of the poor by giving them vineyards and fields. But in truth, it was the just and righteous God providing for the poor who had long been oppressed by their fellow countrymen. Finally, they had the opportunity to manage assets and gain inheritance.
In daily life, when faced with injustice or oppression, we must trust that the righteous God will vindicate us and grant us grace in His timing. As Jesus taught, we should bless those who oppress us, that they too may come to know God. There are many testimonies of people who found peace and relief when they chose to bless their oppressors. We must also reflect God’s heart by caring for the vulnerable and sharing our resources to help restore their basic necessities and dignities.
2. The Faithful Receive Honor (v11-14) The Babylonians were highly superstitious and revered sorcerers and diviners. They may have viewed Jeremiah as a medium or influential pro-Babylonian figure, prompting Nebuchadnezzar to order his release and special protection. However, this was due to God’s favor upon Jeremiah and His fulfillment of promises to honor him.
Gedaliah, the grandson of Shaphan, was appointed governor over the remnant in Judah by the Babylonians. His family had protected Jeremiah before, as recorded in chapter 24. This was a family that feared God, and they were honored because of it.
Brothers and sisters, serving God is a grace and blessing. Through our service, God shapes us, refining us to be more like Him, and lay up our treasures in heaven. Let us be faithful in the small things so that God can entrust us with greater things. Seize every opportunity to serve without compromise. Those who obey God will receive honor and protection.
3. Those Who Trust in God Are Delivered (v15-18) While Jeremiah was still confined, God instructed him to speak to Ebed-Melech, the Ethiopian eunuch who had rescued Jeremiah from the dungeon. God promised that during the destruction of the city, Ebed-Melech would be saved because he had trusted in God and walked in righteousness, unafraid of human power.
King Zedekiah, though one of God’s chosen people, feared man and disobeyed God. Ebed-Melech, a gentile, feared God and walked in righteousness. May their contrasting fates serve as a reminder for our lives.
Conclusion: Cherish the Opportunity There are 52 chapters in the book of Jeremiah, and today we arrive at chapter 39. It may seem repetitive, making it easy to become numb to the message. It’s easy to toss aside the “stone of wishes” that God wants to give us, only to regret it later.
Many of us have a “Zedekiah” in our hearts. We know God’s will but lack the strength to obey. We often trust our own judgment more than God’s commands and convince ourselves that there’s always another chance. We forget that we do not control whether another opportunity will come. In the year 5785, may God grant us the grace to treasure every opportunity to repent and obey when the Holy Spirit gently reminds us. Let us also seize every opportunity to serve God, without leaving it to luck or being stubborn, so we don’t regret it when it’s too late. While the door of grace is still open, let us redeem what was lost, especially the strength to trust and obey God.
