Read Jeremiah 22:1-5.

The court in Jerusalem during Jeremiah’s time was a place of oppression and inequality. Desperate to meet the demands of King Neco of Egypt, King Jehoiakim forced the people to pay higher taxes (2 Kings 23.35). The burden fell heavily on the most oppressed and marginalized members of society—widows, orphans and the foreigners living in the land.

But God had given rules on the fair treatment of refugees and immigrants. They were to be treated with kindness (Leviticus 19.33,34); they were to benefit from the same law (Leviticus 24.22); they were to be helped and supported if necessary (Leviticus 25.35-37); and they were even allowed to participate in the national religious celebrations (Numbers 9.14).

Now, conveniently, the king and his court were forgetting God’s commands, forgetting that their ancestors had once been an exploited immigrant labor force in Egypt. Does that sound familiar? Such behavior is not unheard of today.

Reflect

As a result of Jehoiakim’s oppression, how did God respond? How do you think God responds to oppression today?

Live it

Pray for groups in your community who welcome and support widows, orphans, immigrants, refugees and victims of violence. Find out where in your community special services are offered to immigrants (such as, learning English, becoming acclimated to the community, etc.) and befriend someone new to your neighborhood.

Pray:

Lord, you see and hear everything; you instruct the nations and give knowledge to help us all. Correct us, teach us, bless us.

Next: Day 34 of 40.

www.EasterRestart.com

Shortly before the collapse of Judah, there was hardly a man who could be trusted. For a prophet like Jeremiah, there were enemies everywhere. Every conversation was a trap, every meeting—even among families—a potential threat. From top to bottom, society was corrupt. People had taught themselves to tell lies, heaping sin upon sin and deceit upon deceit, refusing to acknowledge God.

Fast-forward 2,500 years or so and, for many people, nothing much has changed. For millions of Christians in the world today, this is business as usual. Because of governmental or peer suppression, they cannot openly talk about their faith or invite people to meet Jesus. Endangered by their friends and families, the subjects of suspicion and lies, they trust in God because no one else is trustworthy.

Reflect

How did Jeremiah (Jeremiah 9:1-6) express his frustration? Have you ever felt as cornered as Jeremiah? What happened as a result?

Many people in the world are denied free speech. Their media is not free; they have no independent press. Which places in the world are threatened by free speech? Why? Consider how you can help their voice to be heard.

Pray:

Lord, help me to build trust in my family, church, and community by first putting my trust in you, the One who knows all my needs and seeks my welfare. Guide my actions and my words. Help me to be honest and fair in all my words and deeds.

Next: Day 33 of 40.

www.EasterRestart.com