Why fly when you can Soar? A deep dive into Jeremiah 8:7
Updated: Apr 29, 2024
Storks, doves, swallows, and thrushes all know when it's time to fly away for the winter and when to come back. But you, my people, don't know what I demand (Jeremiah 8:7 CEV.) The King James Version: Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the judgment of the LORD. (Jeremiah 8:7)
Certain birds have figured out how to let the wind work for them; they save huge amounts of energy rising up at a fast pace, gaining altitude by riding the updraft of the wind currents in the atmosphere. Birds have adapted wings and an intuition to know when it's the time, season, and direction to move and when to stay. Like air, God is always on the move!
When God gives us a mission we must stay checked in with Him. It is important that you not run with the vision you saw in part and plan your way without ever consulting God lest you lose sight of the task. Being outside the will of God is a dangerous and stagnant place to be. Imagine God saying," When I move, You move". While God does not change, seasons change, and people change. God uses people to carry out his will; therefore, our route plans will change. Do not put yourself through unnecessary obstacles like the Israelites' forty-year journey that should have taken them eleven days! #Unbelief #Rebellion
God warns us and uses the unlikely to carry out his plans (Romans 9:17-18): like when he hardened Pharaoh's heart throughout the book of Exodus. Pharaoh was not an innocent man. He was a brutal dictator. He exalted himself as a lord to be worshiped, and he oversaw the abuse and oppression of the Israelites. Pharaoh needed to repent and humble himself, yet he hardened his own heart five times. In Exodus 10:3-4 God warned Pharaoh through Moses. Pharaoh ignored many warnings and suffered mighty acts of judgment. -These judgments were merciful since Romans 6:23 says, the wages of sin is death.-
In Numbers 22:28, Balaam's donkey talked to him (I love this example because it reminds me of my favorite movie, Shrek...but I digress) The Lord spoke to Balaam, a pagan prophet, and told him to refuse to go to Balak unless he was going to speak His words, but Balaam, with a greedy heart, was prone to use his God-given talent for his purposes and not for the Lord. On his way to Balak, God knew what was on Balaam's heart, so His anger flared and he opposed him. Balaam's donkey saw the angel of the LORD and refused to keep going forward. The first time he swerved off the path, the second time the angel of the LORD stood in a narrow path, even crushing Balaam's feet, and the third time the angel of the LORD stood where there was nowhere to turn. The donkey sat under Balaam and instead of paying attention to these signs, Balaam was blinded by his anger and embarrassment; consequently, revealing his true nature. He exerted his dominance by beating the donkey three times for not listening. Then Balaam's eyes were opened to see the angel of the LORD, confirming the voice of the Lord. Balaam bowed and repented. I encourage you to read more about Balaam and his doctrines of sexual immorality, and idolatry used to weaken the Israelites. #WickedProphets #Diviner #YouCantCursetheBlessed #Numbers22:12 #Numbers23:8 #Numbers23:19 #BalakandBalaam
Enjoyed this post? Here is the extended Version:
In 1912, did the Titanic ship crew members and passengers ignore warnings because of blinding Idolatry?
In the story, "Exploring Titanic" Robert D. Ballard, tells the story of the largest ship in the world. Society gave it nicknames like, "The Unsinkable Ship, the Millionaires' Special, The Last word in Luxury, and The Wonder Ship". The Titanic's captain was Edward J. Smith, a white-bearded man, who was popular among the crew members and passengers and he had an excellent safety record. Throughout the story, warnings that should have signaled 'trouble ahead' were left unattended. As the ship left dock, its whistles, huge funnels, made the biggest sound they had ever made as they began their voyage...so loud they were heard miles away. The second warning was the Titanic almost hitting another ship, missing it by a yard. Later, the ship's wireless operator received a message, "...Another iceberg warning!" These warnings were all ignored or mocked due to the people's current distractions and the Titanic's prestigious name. As the unsinkable ship began sinking, distress rockets were fired, but nearby ships thought they were fireworks, another nearby ship just never answered, and a third ship's operator had gone to bed for the night and no one thought to wake him up. Fortunately, the Carpathia Ship was fifty-eight miles away and rushed to the rescue, but was it too late? By the time people began realizing their imminent danger, was Carpathia fifty-eight miles too far away? As a result of this tragedy,1500 lives were lost.
Grab a pen for these follow-up Questions:
If birds have the innate ability to know when to move, how much more do God's people have the same discernment through reading His word? (Jeremiah 8:7)
If he dresses the lilies' and clothes the grass in the field while they do nothing, how much more will he clothe you? (Matthew 6:28-33)
Read Matthew 12:39 and Philippians 4:19. God meets our needs, not our greed. Has He ever provided anything for you? What makes it hard to trust him with our needs?
Watch the videos below I've included to complement this lesson:
3. Titanic Rendition Video: Iceberg, right Ahead! (The too-late warning)
5. Blog Song Reference: Jireh by Elevation Worship & Maverick City
Please Like, Comment, and Share if you were blessed by anything written in this post!
I really appreciated this word thank you for the insight!