Living Faithful in a Faithless Land: A Study of DanielSample

Week 1: God is at Work Even in the Painful Days

The Potter’s Hand

Read: Jeremiah 18:1-12; Jeremiah 18:18; Jeremiah 25:1-3; Jeremiah 25:11

SOAP: Jeremiah 18:6

“I, the Lord, say: ‘O nation of Israel, can I not deal with you as this potter deals with the clay? In my hands, you, O nation of Israel, are just like the clay in this potter’s hand.’

Into the Text

Before we start our study of the book of Daniel, let’s look at what another prophet of that era had to say about why God allowed His people to be taken to Babylon.

Jeremiah was sent to the people of Judah because they had repeatedly broken their covenant with God. There was a lot of social injustice. They worshiped other ‘gods’ and even performed child sacrifices. They were stumbling along in the wrong direction away from God.

For nearly 25 years, Jeremiah had warned the people of Judah to change their ways so that they could thrive in the land God gave them. The Promised Land was supposed to be a place where God’s people worshiped Him and drew other nations to Him. However, the people wouldn’t listen to Jeremiah. Instead, he was mistreated, and most people claimed Jeremiah was wrong. They reasoned God would not allow His people to be taken from the land, but God never made that promise.

Even before they entered the Promised Land, Moses warned them to obey God (See Deuteronomy 28). If they didn’t obey God, He would not allow them to remain in the land. Other prophets had said the same. Jeremiah even predicted that God would use Babylon to defeat Judah and rule over them for 70 years.

We all like to hear the positive things people say about us. We enjoy being reminded God loves us, just as we are. But, we can be less keen to hear truths such as God detests our sin; He wants more for us; or He wants us to grow to be more like Jesus.

Look again at the SOAP verse. Read it aloud but replace “nation of Israel” with your name.

How teachable are you? We are often more focused on the temporary things of this world. God wants to develop your relationship with Him and your character because He is interested in molding us into His likeness. Are you willing to be molded?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I confess I often want to ignore my own sin. I do what is easy rather than what I know is right. God, would you mold me and make me more like Jesus? Help me hear your Word and put it into action. Amen