How does Jeremiah 11:23 encourage us to trust God's timing for justice? Setting the scene in Jeremiah 11 • Jeremiah’s own townsmen in Anathoth had plotted to silence him (Jeremiah 11:18-21). • God responds, promising that the very people who schemed against His prophet will face sure judgment. Jeremiah 11:23 “Not even a remnant will remain, for I will bring disaster on the men of Anathoth in the year of their punishment.” How the verse builds trust in God’s timing for justice • Certainty of justice – “I will bring disaster” leaves no doubt; God’s verdict is final and unstoppable. • Specific timing – “in the year of their punishment” shows justice is scheduled on God’s calendar, not ours. • Total completion – “Not even a remnant will remain” underscores that God’s justice will be thorough, leaving nothing unresolved. • Personal protection – While judgment awaited Anathoth, God preserved Jeremiah, proving He can safeguard the faithful until His chosen time (cf. Jeremiah 15:20-21). Reinforcing threads in the rest of Scripture • Habakkuk 2:3 – “Though it lingers, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.” • Ecclesiastes 3:17 – “God will judge the righteous and the wicked, for there is a time for every activity and every work.” • Nahum 1:3 – “The LORD is slow to anger but great in power; the LORD will by no means leave the guilty unpunished.” • Romans 12:19 – “’Vengeance is Mine; I will repay,’ says the Lord.” • Psalm 37:7-9 – “Do not fret when people succeed in their ways… the LORD will uphold the righteous.” Takeaways for everyday life • Trust the schedule – Delays in visible justice are not denials; they are part of God’s precise timetable. • Rest from retaliation – Knowing God has set a “year of punishment” frees us from plotting revenge. • Keep proclaiming truth – Like Jeremiah, remain faithful even when opposed; God will vindicate His servants. • Anchor hope in God’s character – He is both patient and perfectly just, so His timing is always right. God’s promise to deal with Anathoth assures every believer today: justice may wait, but it never fails when God sets the date. |
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