S) "16 'Behold, I am going to send for many fishermen,' declares the Lord, 'and they will fish for them; and afterwards I will send for many hunters, and they will hunt them from every mountain and every hill and from the clefts of the rocks.'"
Jeremiah 16:16 (NASB)
*because the reading plan is not designed for Leap Day, today I read Jeremiah 16
*because the reading plan is not designed for Leap Day, today I read Jeremiah 16
O) This is clearly a prophecy with two layers. On the one hand, God was talking about bringing the exiles back to their land. On the other hand, we know that the disciples were later to be called by Jesus as fishers of men (see Mark 1:17). As obvious as that connection is, strangely the only footnotes about this have to do with the people being exiled out of their place, referring to the "leading by fish hooks" that are mentioned in Amos 4:2 and Habakkuk 1:14-15. While the very next two verses (vv.17-18) do mention the righteous judgment of God, v.18 starts with the words, "I will first," So, we have to ask, first before what? The answer, is that it is first before they are brought back by the fishermen and hunters that will bring them (see vv.14-15).
A) This verse is an important reminder to me of a couple things. For one, commentators are people, just like me. They are not infallible, but they can miss things just like I can. I must take what they say as opinion, not necessarily as fact. Not everything in my study Bible is Scripture. Second, this is a reminder to go beyond the surface level of Scripture, especially when reading the Old Testament, to see how it correlates to the New Testament, Jesus Christ, and then even more forward and into my own life. Third, and to that last point, this verse reminds me of the epic story that is God's reconciling the world to Himself. It has been in operation, even since the beginning of time, becoming more and more clear, leading up to the Gospel. As it is now, there are countless peoples who have not been brought into God's kingdom, still. The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. I'd say that the seas are also full, while the fishermen are few. I need to cast a line.
A) This verse is an important reminder to me of a couple things. For one, commentators are people, just like me. They are not infallible, but they can miss things just like I can. I must take what they say as opinion, not necessarily as fact. Not everything in my study Bible is Scripture. Second, this is a reminder to go beyond the surface level of Scripture, especially when reading the Old Testament, to see how it correlates to the New Testament, Jesus Christ, and then even more forward and into my own life. Third, and to that last point, this verse reminds me of the epic story that is God's reconciling the world to Himself. It has been in operation, even since the beginning of time, becoming more and more clear, leading up to the Gospel. As it is now, there are countless peoples who have not been brought into God's kingdom, still. The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. I'd say that the seas are also full, while the fishermen are few. I need to cast a line.
P) Father, I was caught by Your love. I was netted, brought into relationship with You. Then I foolishly jumped ship. That was, without a doubt, the biggest mistake of my life. I have no idea how my life would be better if I had stayed with You seamlessly. Still, You have redeemed my lost years with amazing grace. I know the power of the gospel, because I have lived it. I know how beautiful it is, residing in Your Kingdom. Still, I have fears that become excuses, for me to be passive and lazy, when it comes to spreading the gospel. That is to my shame, and I am sorry, Lord. Please forgive me. Please discipline me, to become more responsible with this truth I know. I want to cast a line, I want to spread a net. I want to be a fisher of men. I know it starts with my own family, but it doesn't end there. There is no greater life, than to be caught by the grace of my merciful, compassionate, loving God. Help me to catch them with You, for You. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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