Jeremiah 16:1-2 Then the word of the Lord came to me: “You must not marry and have sons or daughters in this place.”
Again in this chapter we have God discussing the destruction He will bring on Judah because of generations of sin and disobedience. Again we have this idea that we should not let ourselves be negatively influenced by others because even if their sin influences us, once we take steps into sin, it becomes our sin.
Jeremiah 16:9 For this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Before your eyes and in your days I will bring an end to the sounds of joy and gladness and to the voices of bride and bridegroom in this place.
Again we have God drawing a hard line of tough love, warning Jeremiah not to get married or have children so that he will not have to watch them face the same fate as everyone else. And again, in verses 14 and 15, we have God extending a hopeful word. This punishment is not forever. If they return and repent, He *will* restore them.
Jeremiah 16:14 “However, the days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when it will no longer be said, ‘As surely as the Lord lives, who brought the Israelites up out of Egypt…’
Lord, Thank You for Your compassion and mercy. Thank You that even in Your judgment, You remind us of the way back to You. Help us not to lose our way, not to be negatively influenced by others. And when we do stray, help us to humble ourselves before You so that we can be restored. Amen.
Jeremiah 16:15 but it will be said, ‘As surely as the Lord lives, who brought the Israelites up out of the land of the north and out of all the countries where he had banished them.’ For I will restore them to the land I gave their ancestors.
Have a blessed day.