Jeremiah 22 “Knowing God”

Jeremiah 22 NIV

Suggested Praise Songs:                                                             

• God of Justice – Tim Hughes
• Give Me Jesus – UPPERROOM
• Elevation Worship – O Come to the Altar

Resources for Family Worship (with Children):

• Putting Others First | Blinky’s Bible Adventures | LifeKids – Lesson for Kids
• God Is Good | Cross Culture Norway VBS Music Video | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• Northview Kids – PEACE LIKE A RIVER – Song for Kids
• Your Life Will Change | High Seas Music Video | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• Discussion Questions for Children & Youth are located in the section after Explanation, Meditation, and Prayer (at the end of this email/blog).

Explanation:

Through Jeremiah, the Lord delivers a message to the royal house of Judah. What the royal house must do is practice justice and righteousness, and care for the socially vulnerable. If they do so, the house of David will stand firmly. But if they do not, the royal palace will become a ruin (vv. 1–5). Up to this point, the royal house of Judah has turned its back on God and has ignored justice and righteousness. Because of this, Judah will face judgment (vv. 6–7). When that time comes, many nations will see the ruins of Judah and Jerusalem and will look upon them with pity (vv. 8–9).

The following passage is a prophecy concerning Shallum (Jehoahaz), who succeeded King Josiah (vv. 10–12). He was taken away to Egypt just three months after ascending to the throne (2 Kings 23:31–33). The Lord says that he will never return.

The king of Egypt then placed Eliakim, another son of Josiah, on the throne and changed his name to Jehoiakim (2 Kings 23:34). He reigned in Jerusalem for eleven years. During his reign, he did not concern himself with the fate of Judah but wasted the nation’s strength expanding his palace. As a result, justice and righteousness disappeared from the land of Judah. When social justice collapses, the gap between the rich and the poor only grows, and the socially vulnerable cannot escape oppression (vv. 13–17). The Lord prophesies Jehoiakim’s miserable end. When he dies, the people of Judah will not mourn for him (vv. 18–19).

Just as the prophecy declared, the Lord judged Judah through the Babylonian army. When this judgment comes, the people of Judah will suffer like a woman in labor (vv. 20–23).

The prophecy that follows concerns Coniah (Jehoiachin), the son of Jehoiakim (vv. 24–30). He reigned for three months, and during that short time, he committed evil (2 Kings 24:8-9). During his reign, Judah suffered the third attack from Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. The royal palace and the temple in Jerusalem were plundered, and many people were taken captive to Babylon (2 Kings 24:10–17). Coniah himself was taken to Babylon and died there.

Meditation:

The Lord speaks to Jehoiakim about his father, King Josiah, and teaches him what it means to “know God.” King Josiah practiced justice and righteousness (v. 15). He “defended the cause of the poor and needy” and cared for those who were oppressed (v. 16). He was able to do so because he truly feared God. A person who sincerely serves God will naturally have compassion for the vulnerable. They will use the power given to them to pursue fairness and justice. This is what King Josiah did. Only when one reaches this point can one truly be said to “know” God. That is why the Lord asks King Jehoiakim, “Is this not what it means to know Me?” (v. 16).

This is the reason God warns so strongly against idolatry. Idolatry inevitably leads toward individualism, self-centeredness, and materialism. Its motivation is rooted in selfish desire. In the religion of idols, there is no concern for justice or righteousness. The very nature of idolatry is to seek one’s own gain, by any means, as long as things go well for oneself. In contrast, faith in God leads to working so that justice and righteousness may be established in this world. It involves caring for the socially vulnerable and envisioning a world where all may live in blessing. This is God’s heart.

To answer the question, “Do I truly know God?” we must ask ourselves differently:

“Am I striving to see justice and fairness established in this world?

Am I paying attention to and caring for those who are vulnerable?

Do my daily concerns include those who are struggling more than I am?”

Prayer:

When we look back on our concerns and actions, we wonder whether we truly are people who know You. We appear to be people who know You because we worship, meditate on Your Word, and pray. Yet the direction of our thoughts curves inward, our spending is centered on ourselves, and our time is used mostly for ourselves. It is clear that we do not truly know You. O Lord, have mercy on us, and fill us with the knowledge of who You are. Amen.

Discussion Questions for Children & Youth:

Key Point: To truly know God means to care about what God cares about—showing compassion, practicing fairness, and helping those who are struggling. Knowing God is not just believing in Him but living like Him.

• For Preschool-Elementary:
  • When someone is sad or being left out, what do you think Jesus would want us to do?
  • Can you think of a time when someone helped you? How did it make you feel?
  • What is one small thing you can do this week to show kindness to someone?
    
• Youth:
  
  • The passage says truly knowing God shows in how we treat others. In your honest reflection, does your faith mostly stay “inside,” or does it show in your actions?
  • Who are “the vulnerable” around us in our community? (ex: new students, immigrants, kids who are lonely, financially struggling families)
  • What is one realistic, quiet, doable act of compassion you can commit to this week—something that fits your personality?