God Is Incomparable
Israelites despised God's warning not to run to Egypt for refuge; they confronted Jeremiah and claimed the Creator has failed them, therefore they would do whatever they please, and no one could stop them. The scripture reported Israelites' actions,
“Then all the men who knew that their wives had burned incense to other gods, with all the women who stood by, a great multitude, and all the people who dwelt in the land of Egypt, in Pathros, answered Jeremiah, saying: “As for the word that you have spoken to us in the name of the Lord, we will not listen to you! But we will certainly do whatever has gone out of our own mouth, to burn incense to the queen of heaven and pour out drink offerings to her, as we have done, we and our fathers, our kings and our princes, in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem. For then we had plenty of food, were well- off, and saw no trouble. But since we stopped burning incense to the queen of heaven and pouring out drink offerings to her, we have lacked everything and have been consumed by the sword and by famine.” The women also said, “And when we burned incense to the queen of heaven and poured out drink offerings to her, did we make cakes for her, to worship her, and pour out drink offerings to her without our husbands’ permission?” (Jeremiah 44:15-19). Since Israelites disrespected God and refused to obey his instruction, God was determined to punish them beyond their expectations. He promised to humiliate them as they chose to exile to Egypt. God said, “Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, saying: ‘You and your wives have spoken with your mouths and fulfilled with your hands, saying, “We will surely keep our vows that we have made, to burn incense to the queen of heaven and pour out drink offerings to her.” You will surely keep your vows and perform your vows!’ Therefore hear the word of the Lord, all Judah who dwell in the land of Egypt: ‘Behold, I have sworn by My great name,’ says the Lord, ‘that My name shall no more be named in the mouth of any man of Judah in all the land of Egypt, saying, “The Lord God lives.” Behold, I will watch over them for adversity and not for good. And all the men of Judah who are in the land of Egypt shall be consumed by the sword and by famine, until there is an end to them. Yet a small number who escape the sword shall return from the land of Egypt to the land of Judah; and all the remnant of Judah, who have gone to the land of Egypt to dwell there, shall know whose words will stand, Mine or theirs. And this shall be a sign to you,’ says the Lord, ‘that I will punish you in this place, that you may know that my words will surely stand against you for adversity.’
“Thus says the Lord: ‘Behold, I will give Pharaoh Hophra king of Egypt into the hand of his enemies and into the hand of those who seek his life, as I gave Zedekiah king of Judah into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, his enemy who sought his life.’” (Jeremiah 44:25-30).
Lesson:
God is greater than humans; he is not our age-mate, and we should reverence and honor him. No human is in a position to be compared with God. As far as heaven is greater than the earth, so is God greater and stronger than us. Jehovah has attributes that can not be compared with humans. He is the highest authority in existence; whatever he commands stays, and no one can question him. The fact that the Creator has decorated humanity with beauty and honor does not equate us with him. God will remain God, and we will remain humans. Therefore, since we are the creative works of God, everyone should adore him, and give him due honor. Humanity must respect God; we must follow his instructions so that we can prosper! The Creator will surely honor people who choose to honor him, but he will despise those who despise him and his instructions.
Prayer:
Dear God, please give me a heart that honors you always. Do not let me disrespect you in any way. Never let me take your grace for granted, but help me to diligently serve and obey your instructions. No matter what I become in life, let me ever remain humble to you. Let me ever regard you as my All-in-All. Please glorify yourself in my life as I choose to follow you with a loyal heart. For in the name of Jesus Christ I make my requests. Amen.
