Losing a Kingdom
I. SETTING the SCENE
A. Jeremiah: UNPOPULAR PROPHET (Jer. 20:1-2,10; 37:11-16; 38:4-6)
B. Zedekiah: VACILLATING VASSAL (Jer. 34:8-22; ch. 37-39)
C. Conflicting INTERESTS make for an Interesting CONFLICT
Jeremiah continues to do the unpopular work of saying what nobody wants to hear. The king, Zedekiah, is in a difficult political position. Just like real life, the situation is complicated. Just like real life, Jeremiah says the solution is simple: Listen to God.
1. Kid’s Question: Have you ever had a more difficult time because you chose to do the right thing? How did that situation come about? How did it end?
2. Are there any areas of your life where you feel undecided or confused? What emotions do you feel as you deal with these areas?
II. Zedekiah’s STRUGGLE
A. A NAGGING Question (Jer. 37:3,17; 38:14)
B. A TWO-FACED RELATIONSHIP with God’s Prophet (Jer. 32:3,15,17,21; 38:4,10,14,24-26)
C. A LIFE Dominated by FEAR (Jer. 37-39)
The king continues to go back to Jeremiah again and again, hoping to hear something new. Jeremiah is consistent: Submit to Babylon. Since he doesn’t like God’s command but wants God’s favour, he has a complicated relationship with Jeremiah. Ultimately (and tragically), Zedekiah’s fear keeps him from responding to God’s word.
3. Zedekiah’s relationship with God is complicated. Are there areas of your life where you feel you are not living authentically before God and people?
4. What emotion(s) do you think drives most of your behaviour? Where does that emotion stem from?
III. LENT is for LISTENING
A. Who am I TRYING to PLEASE? (I Thess. 2:4; Rom. 8:5-8; Eph. 5:8-11)
B. Whose WISDOM is TRUSTWORTHY? (I Cor. 1:18-31; Jer. 17:5-9; Prov. 3:5-6; 9:10)
C. Whom SHALL I FEAR? (Prov. 9:10; Ps. 27:1; Rom. 8:28-39)
The question that we ultimately face is whether we will listen to (and obey) God’s call in our lives. Far too often we are worried about perception, confused about true wisdom, or simply afraid to do what is right. The good news is that, in Jesus, we have nothing to fear and that, in Jesus, we can rest in God’s love as we trust in His commands.
5. We keep repeating that Lent is for listening. What, if anything, do you find difficult about listening? What, if anything, do you find rewarding about listening?
6. Besides God, whom do you find yourself tempted to please through your words and actions?
7. Is there an example of worldly wisdom that you find you easily succumb to?
8. What is your greatest fear? Have you asked God about that fear?