Japan

Liz and I watched Brazil beat Japan in the World Cup coming from behind to win 2 x 1 with goals from Casemiro (Manchester United) and Martinelli (Arsenal). It was a very nerve-wracking game with Brazil's winner coming in the added on time right at the end of the second half when it looked like the game would go to extra time. Patos erupted with the victory and let off masses of fireworks!

Last night I did my usual Care Centre Dentist's trip taking patients home to rural areas after having been drilled and had teeth extracted. I saw a Burrowing Owl and a Pigmy Nightjar on the way which is always a pleasure.

Jeremiah 44 (résumé): Disaster because of idolatry

Word now came from God through Jeremiah to the Jews in Egypt reminding them that the reason for the great disaster in Jerusalem and the towns of Judah was the blatant unrepentant idolatry of the people. But now they have returned to pagan idolatry and would therefore suffer a similar fate. God warns them that such judgement is imminent and the remnant of Judah will be subject to eradication by sword or famine. "None will return except a few fugitives". God condemned the Jews for burning incense to the Queen of Heaven and pouring out drink offerings to her. The Jews point blank refuse to give up her worship so God is adamant that he will judge them with widespread extermination. As a sign of the divine commitment to this action he says that he will hand over Pharoah Hophra to his enemies that seek his life.

Three-quarters

I have now finished the synopses of 39 chapters of the Book of Jeremiah which has 52 chapters, so three-quarters of the book are done. Jerusalem has just been captured by the Babylonians, King Zedekiah no longer has eyes or sons, but the prophet Jeremiah is fine.

Last night Pastor Murilo and I led the service and Pastor Rafael preached on Psalm 32. Missionary Sacha and Marina led the praise and worship. It was a lovely service.

Jeremiah 43 (résumé): The Israelites enter Egypt

 Azariah, Johanan and all the arrogant Israelites called Jeremiah a liar because he opposed them going to Egypt. Then "they entered Egypt in disobedience to the Lord". Now Jeremiah buried some large stones at the entrance to Pharoah's palace symbolic of Israel in Egypt and then said that Nebuchadnezzar would soon attack Egypt setting fire to the temples of the gods of Egypt and bring death and captivity to all. Thus the very place that the Israelites had sought refuge against God's will would be their doom.

Jeremiah 42 (résumé): Jeremiah warns against going to Egypt

Then Johanan and his accompanying army officers asked Jeremiah to pray for God's guidance for them and promised to obey come what may. 10 days later Jeremiah received word from the Lord telling them to stay put and God would bless them, but if they refused to stay and insisted on going to Egypt then all will die by sword, famine and plague. In this case "you will be an object of cursing, horror, condemnation and reproach, and you will never see this place again".

Jeremiah 41 (résumé): Gedaliah assassinated

Jeremiah 41 tells of how Ishmael came with 10 men and murdered Gedaliah and all the Jews with him. However before word had spread about the killings 80 men arrived bringing grain offerings and incense to the temple, so Ishmael slaughtered them all and threw their bodies into a cistern. Then Ishmael took everyone else there captive. When however the word got round about all the killings Ishmael had carried out Johanan and some army officers came after Ishmael, but he and 8 of his men escaped. Then Johanan and all the survivors of Jerusalem fled to Egypt. 

Jeremiah 40 (résumé): Jeremiah freed & Gedaliah made Governor

The commander of the Babylonian army, Nebuzaradan, found "Jeremiah bound in chains among all the captives" and released him and told him he was free to chose whether he went to Babylon or stayed in Jerusalem, and Jeremiah chose to stay. Then the king of Babylon appointed Gedaliah as governor of Judah and he encouraged everyone to "settle down in the land and serve the king of Babylon". So all the Jews of the diaspora came back to Judah and planted and harvested bumper crops. Rumours however spread about a conspiracy to kill Gedaliah involving the king of the Ammonites, but Gedaliah didn't believe the story, although some Israelites wanted to carry out a preemptive killing of King Baalis's hitman Ishmael.