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Jeremiah 23 “Becoming a Burden to the Lord”

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5–7 minutes

Jeremiah 23 NIV

Suggested Praise Songs:                                                             

Resources for Family Worship (with Children):

Explanation:

The Lord uses the image of sheep and shepherds to rebuke the leaders of Judah. God entrusted His sheep to them, but they neglected their responsibility to care for the flock (vv. 1–2). The Lord declares that He Himself will become their shepherd, gather the scattered sheep, and bring them back to their pasture. He also promises to raise up true shepherds who will care for them (vv. 3–4).

This will be fulfilled when a “righteous Branch” from the line of David appears. This King will establish “justice and righteousness” on earth, and the people will confess, “The Lord is our salvation” (vv. 5–7). Although this may seem like a prophecy about a future earthly king, it is a prophecy about the Messiah, the eternal King.

Jeremiah suffers on two fronts: he feels the burning pain of bearing the holy word of the Lord, and he also grieves over the evil that fills the land of Judah (vv. 9–10). The Lord rebukes the leaders of Judah, especially the religious leaders. The prophets of the northern kingdom once prophesied in the name of Baal and led the people to destruction, and now the prophets of Judah are committing the same sin. As a result, the people of Jerusalem have become like the people of Sodom and Gomorrah. It is not an exaggeration to say that the sin of Judah begins with its prophets (vv. 11–15).

The Lord continues His accusation against those who “claim to be prophets” (v. 16). They speak the words of their own hearts and present them as the word of God. They promise blessings to those who despise the Lord’s word and continue to live in sin. But they have never stood in the presence of the Lord nor listened to His word (vv. 17–18). Because of this, the Lord’s wrath will come upon them (vv. 19–20). Though they declare that they were “sent by the Lord,” they have never heard His voice (vv. 21–22). No matter how much they try to deceive, God sees everything (vv. 23–24).

The Lord contrasts false prophecy with true prophecy. The words of the false prophets are like sweet sugar water that comforts people (vv. 25–27). But the words of a true prophet are “like a fire” and “like a hammer that breaks rock into pieces” (vv. 28–29). The Lord declares that He will stand against and judge the false prophets (vv. 30–32).

The Lord instructs Jeremiah that when the people, prophets, or priests ask, “Do you have a ‘burdensome word of the Lord’?” he should respond, “You yourselves are the burden to Me.” The phrase “burdensome word of the Lord” refers to a word that rebukes or judges them. It is burdensome to them because they have no desire to turn from their sin. They do not intend to obey God’s word, yet they are afraid that God may speak something that exposes their wrongdoing. The Lord declares that He will judge the people of Judah who treat His word as a burden (vv. 33–40).

Meditation:

The Word of the Lord is always a burden to us. This is because what the Lord expects from us always goes beyond our own abilities. The Lord presents us with high ideals and calls us to strive toward them. He does this not to trouble us or weigh us down, but for our good. If we love the Lord and trust His goodness toward us, His words become not a crushing burden, but a burden that strengthens us. By relying on the strength that the Lord gives, we willingly embrace that burden and pursue those ideals. When we do this, the Lord gives us comfort and encouragement.

However, when our love for the Lord grows cold and our desires grow strong, then His word becomes a heavy load. When Jesus said, “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28), He was speaking to those who were crushed under the burden of the Law. Our natural tendency is to throw off that burden and live according to our own desires. At the same time, we know that God will not simply overlook such a life. That is why the people of Judah would ask Jeremiah whether the Lord had given a “burdensome word.” They were afraid because they knew their sins and feared God’s judgment. Yet the Lord says that it is not He who has become a burden to them, but they who have become a burden to Him.

There was a time when Israel was the Lord’s joy and pride. But now they have become a burden to Him. Because of their sin, judgment has become unavoidable. Yet instead of repenting and returning to Him, they only thought of ways to avoid judgment.

Prayer:

Lord, we remember the people of Judah who became a burden to You because they avoided Your burdensome word. Lord, is it possible that we, too, have become a burden to You? We desire to be Your joy and Your pride. Help us, then, to face and embrace the words that feel burdensome. Let the fire that burns fiercely purify us, and let the hammer that breaks rock break us open. Only then is there hope. Amen.

Discussion Questions for Children & Youth:

Key Point: God’s Word can sometimes feel challenging because it calls us to live differently from what we naturally want. But when we trust that God loves us and wants what is good for us, His Word becomes strength—not a heavy burden. When we listen and follow, we become God’s joy.

  • For Preschool-Elementary:
    • Sometimes grown-ups ask us to do things that are hard (like sharing or saying sorry). Why do you think they ask us to do those things?
    • How do you think God feels when we listen to Him and choose what is good?
    • What is one small way you can listen to God today (being kind, praying, helping, sharing)?
  • Youth:
    • Think silently: When does God’s Word feel “heavy” or difficult for you? (Examples: forgiveness, honesty, patience).If you want to share, you may share one small example—no pressure.
    • What helps you trust that God’s instruction comes from love, not pressure?
    • In your life right now, what is one small step you can take to follow God—even if it feels hard?

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