(Jeremiah 50:33-34, Proverb 3:10-11).
A. These verses bring great encouragement to the devoted believers especially the widows and orphans. The message here directed then to Babylonians, who conquered God’s people and took them into exile. Jeremiah the Prophets was alive at that time and had warned the people of their sins but was taken along as captive. He wrote the book of Lamentations during that period on the situation.
Gradually, the children of Judah ought to have spent only 70 Years in Captivity (Jer. 25) but the Babylonians held unto them as captors and refused to let them go even after the required 70 Years. Daniel himself was so concerned about this very bad situation and had to embark on long prayer and fasting to the Omnipotent God who only can let them go. Daniel Chapter 9.
A man of God commented on this Omnipotent attitude of God and encouraged believers to trust such a God, Who is worthy of our implicit confidence. As nothing is too hard for Him. No prayer is too hard for Him to answer, no need too great for Him to supply, no passion too strong for Him to subdue, no temptation too powerful for Him to deliver from and no misery too deep for Him to relieve. Prov. 23:10-11, Ps 27:1, Jer.32:17.
The same situation apply to so many people/devoted believers who are oppressed one way or the other and seem hopeless and their problems look unending or are awaken with a sense of dread instead of anticipation. God our Redeemer changes not, He is the same yesterday, today and forever Heb. 13:8. He is our eternal Saviour and will rigorously deliver and defend our cause and continue to work on our behalf in ways we cannot imagine. Be cheerful and be of good courage!
B. WHO IS OUR REDEEMER?
(1) In the light of the following passages who is our Redeemer Jeremiah 50:34, Prov. 23:10-11,I Pet. 1:18-19,Eph.1:7,Isa.47:4
(2) How did he redeem us?
(a) He paid the price of our sins through His death on the cross
(b) He paid for our wages of sin and the penalty of death
(c) Saved us from the wrath of God and gave us eternal life.
(d) He conquered death once and for all of us.Heb.4:15.
(e) He reconciled us with God and gave us freedom.
(f) He provided means of good life for us, good health, provisions, prosperity, and security and defend us always. Ps.23.
(3) From the above, who are the people today to whom the promises of God as a Redeemer in Jeremiah 50:33-34 belongs?
(4) How can we become redeemed?
(C) OUR EXPERIENCES?
It is true that our Redeemer is strong, but sometimes what we daily experience tends to make us come to a conclusion that our God is not strong enough or that he does not always wish to use such power to protect us. We are tempted to wonder why some things happen to us despite the fact that we serve Him faithfully. Notwithstanding it is sure and the fact can never be changed. Our God Redeemer is strong and has a good plan for our life to give us an expected end. Jer. 17:11.
(a) Are you or have you been under any form of oppression or difficult situation(s) despite the fact that you serve God faithfully?
(b) Why must God allow us to lose our loved ones?
Please be assured that your Redeemer is strong. He is the God of all flesh and there is nothing too difficult for Him Jer32:17.
(D) THE EARLY CONCEPT OF A REDEEMER -Prov.23:10-11
The earliest concept or understanding of a Redeemer is the near or nearest kinsman who had to avenge bloodshed, carry on the bloodshed or vindicate the cause of a poor relation otherwise unsupported, Num. 25:12, 19:21, Lev. 25:25.These poor individuals more often may not have such kinsmen to redeem their land or property back to them (Lev. 25:25), yet God promised to be a mighty Deliverer or Redeemer (Ex 6:6) who will redress their wrong and return their land or property freely at the year of Jubilee.
Prov. 23:10-11 relates directly to issues concerning widows and orphans.
- Mention two possible things people can do to widows or orphans v10.
- Why do you think people can always do these things to them? People look at them as weak and defenseless having no person to fight for them.
- Do you know that this is the way people look at you because of your situation but they are fool to see that you have a redeemer that is strong vs11?
- God Himself is the widow or orphan’s strong Redeemer Job 19:25, Ps 19:14 and Jer.50:25
- Given, the vulnerable or weak positions of widows and orphans, what do you think is the best thing to do following the examples of some little wise things Prov.30:24-28
- Let us discuss the wisdom of the conies though very weak an animal Vs 26.
- The name of the Lord is a strong tower the righteous runs into it and he is saved. Prov. 18:10
(viii) Discuss how the following can help us though weak, to have God as our strong Redeemer.
- Repentance -John 3:3, 5,16,36 Act 3:19-13.
You must repent and give your life to Christ.
- Faith in God
(c) Understanding and Trust in the word of God
(d) Associating with those who are godly and determine to be successful
(e) Continued Good relationship with God
(E) THE JEREMIAH PROPHECY 50:33-34
The children of Israel and the children of Judah were oppressed together by the same Babylonians Government at the same time in the same land. Although it was the 10 tribes of Israel that were first taken captive by Assyria 133 years before the remaining Tribes of Judah were captured by Babylonians Empire. But within the 133 years, the Babylonian empire arose and overthrown the Assyrian and ruled over all of them. When the Medio-Persia overthrown Babylon according to the Great Image Interpreted by Daniel, this made all the tribes to continue under the same covenant.
- Vs. 33-What did this captors do to them:-
- Oppressed them together
- Held them fast
- Refused to let them go.
(b) Mention some kinds of individuals that can be regarded as those troubling us today, who do not let us go.
(c) Given the fact that the children of Israel had lived for about 200 years and the tribe of Judah about 70 years at the time of the prophecy of Jeremiah, what do you think were the reasons they refused to let them go?
(i) They were useful for them as slaves
(ii) They were useful as good administrators-Daniel, Meshach, Mordecai, and Nehemiah. e.t.c.
(iii) Good as Spiritual eyes for the kingdom -Daniel and Jeremiah.
- Nobody asked of them, so the kingdom thought they did not have anybody who could demand their release. They took their condition as being helpless.
- Mention other reasons.
- Mention some of the reasons or ways people are holding you captive today.
Vs. 34. The main problem of their capture was that they only saw the people as being powerless and of no defense. They failed or could not see a strong Redeemer behind them. So also, people look at us today as widows, orphans, poor, or ordinary persons as vulnerable and powerless, they could not see the spiritual back up of a strong Redeemer that we have.
- Mention some of the things this strong Redeemer promised to do:
- He shall plead our cause. Ps 3-1. He will defend them Ps 35
- He will give rest to the land. He will give them rest again in Israel
- He will disquiet the inhabitants of Babylon. There would be no rest for the people of Babylon
- Vs 35-40 He would send sword to strike the people, their resources, water supply etc.
- GOD FULFILLED HIS PROMISES
Our God is a God of promise. He fulfilled these promises as the children of Israel and Judah returned their land and the Medio-Persia Kingdom destroyed Babylon. Our God is a faithful God, when He promises something, He will fulfill according to His counsel. Trust in Him and be rest assured as from now that Your Redeemer is strong