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DIRTY JOBS

[Scheduled Reading: Jeremiah 18-25]

There was a TV show called Dirty Jobs where host Mike Rowe took on the most difficult, strange, disgusting, or messy occupational duties.

When I think of the biblical prophets, I think of the ultimate “dirty jobs.” 

As mentioned yesterday, prophet work was downright dangerous...even deadly.

Check out the fate of some of the prophets:

➢ Isaiah suffered martyrdom by being sawn in two by King Manasseh (and Manasseh is in the line of Christ!)

➢ Jeremiah suffered martyrdom by stoning at Tahpanhes in Ancient Egypt

➢ Ezekiel suffered martyrdom in the land of the Chaldeans

➢ Some of the minor prophets were martyred as well (i.e. Micah, Amos)

These Prophets were special men and a special resurrection awaits them one day. 

Back to our prophet discussions, I want to focus on Jeremiah’s prophecy in Chapter 25. 

God has some special events planned.

• Judah will be captured by Babylon and exiled from their land. [check – that happens]

• Babylonian captivity will last 70 years. [check – that happens, too]

• After 70 years, God will bring judgment on Babylon, conquered by Cyrus the Great of the Persian Empire. [check, another fulfillment]

• A remnant of Judah will return to Jerusalem. [check again]

Wow, this is exactly what happens, isn’t it?

We read about Babylonian exile at the end of 2 Kings. Then we read about the remnant return to Jerusalem in Ezra & Nehemiah. 

Isn’t it fascinating how God works through the Babylonians? 

Babylon (bad guys) takes over the good guys (Israelites), then God brings along other bad guys (Cyrus of Persia) to punish Babylon! 

Then God works through Cyrus to show favor on the exiled Israelites. 

God’s sovereignty is stunning.