Scripture Focus: Jeremiah 21.1-4, 8-9
1 The word came to Jeremiah from the Lord when King Zedekiah sent to him Pashhur son of Malkijah and the priest Zephaniah son of Maaseiah. They said: 2 “Inquire now of the Lord for us because Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon is attacking us. Perhaps the Lord will perform wonders for us as in times past so that he will withdraw from us.” 3 But Jeremiah answered them, “Tell Zedekiah, 4 ‘This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: I am about to turn against you the weapons of war that are in your hands, which you are using to fight the king of Babylon and the Babylonians who are outside the wall besieging you.
8 “Furthermore, tell the people, ‘This is what the Lord says: See, I am setting before you the way of life and the way of death. 9 Whoever stays in this city will die by the sword, famine or plague. But whoever goes out and surrenders to the Babylonians who are besieging you will live; they will escape with their lives.
Galatians 6.7-8
7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.
Reflection: Mock, Mock. Who’s There?
By John Tillman
Recently many Christians have been concerned about things they believe are “mocking God.” What is “mocking” God and who should be worried about it? We find an example in today’s reading.
Other nations or non-believers sometimes mock God or his people. However, in many cases of “mocking” in the Bible, the targets are God’s prophets, including Jesus and the mockers are God’s people.
During Hezekiah’s reign, an enemy army mocked God. The repentant and faithful king spread the mocking words before God and God destroyed the army. (2 Kings 19.14-19) But in Jeremiah’s day, the kings and leaders were neither repentant nor faithful. Zedekiah, the last king of Judah, seemed sympathetic to Jeremiah, but refused to follow Jeremiah’s advice. Instead, he sent men to Jeremiah asking for miraculous national salvation.
Judah’s kings and religious leaders made Jeremiah and his prophecies objects of mockery. The previous king, Jehoiakim, burned a scroll from Jeremiah. (Jeremiah 36.22-26) They branded Jeremiah a traitor, bound him as a prisoner, physically assaulted him, and threw him in a pit. In the midst of all this, they ask a favor from God. One of those sent to Jeremiah, Pashhur, previously had Jeremiah beaten and bound. (Jeremiah 20.1-6)
These leaders wanted the good old days God back without obeying God’s scripture or his prophets. They didn’t want Babylon to defeat them or humiliate them, but they didn’t have a problem beating or humiliating the prophets who called them to repent. They were the ones mocking God, his prophets, and the scriptures.
When Paul wrote, “God cannot be mocked,” (Galatians 6.7-10) he was not talking about unbelievers mocking God. Paul warned the Galatian believers that investment in fleshly, worldly things, would not yield spiritual, eternal things. To expect so, is to mock God. This is the kind of mocking Christians should be most concerned about.
When outside forces mock God, whether those forces are cultural, governmental, or individual, we can lay those words before God, mourn, and respond like Jesus. Jesus was explicitly turned over to forces like these to be “mocked, and flogged, and crucified” (Matthew 20.19) and we can expect similar treatment.If we are mocked by the world or other believers, let us respond as our mocked savior did. “Father forgive them…” (Luke 23.34)
Do not mock by expecting miraculous, national salvation without personal repentance.
Do not mock by investing in worldly things, expecting spiritual fruit.
Do not mock God’s prophets or God’s mercy.
Divine Hours Prayer: The Request for Presence
Bow your heavens, O Lord, and come down; touch the mountains, and they shall smoke. — Psalm 144.5
– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summertime by Phyllis Tickle.
Today’s Readings
Jeremiah 21 (Listen 2:35)
2 Thessalonians 1 (Listen 1:52)
Read more about Tortured Prophets Department
Why do we torture the poets, prophets, preachers, and protestors? We don’t have to be Taylor fans, but can we please avoid becoming Amaziah?
Read more about Readers’ Choice
Readers’ Choice starts in September. Tell us your favorite posts from this past year via email, direct message, or the linked form, and we will repost them.
