Jeremiah 22 (résumé): Judgement against evil kings

Jeremiah 22 is a prophecy for the kings of Judah. It points to the fall of the Davidic dynasty owing to sin, social injustice and idolatry. Initially God demands care for the foreigner, orphan and widow saying that the Davidic lineage depends on this. God then warns about his impending destruction of Judah and then says that King Shallum will die in captivity. He then goes on to say that his brother Jehoiakim, who succeeded him, was condemned for his worker exploitation and his desire for opulence. Jeremiah prophecies that Jehoiakim will receive the funeral of a donkey being dragged out and thrown from Jerusalem. Then the chapter concludes with a message for Coniah, Jehoiakim's son, saying that God would rip it off even if he was just a signet ring on his hand, and that he and his mother will be handed over to Nebuchadnezzar. 

Joel

Our daughter Missionary Sacha preached a superb sermon from Joel 2 last night. It was a real blessing. Numbers were down in church as many were away at the youth camp. The youth camp finished last night and was a real blessing too. Missionary Betânia preached last night in the final service. Thanks for your prayers.

Youth Camp

Liz and I spent yesterday evening at Green Pastures at the youth camp which is facing quite an uphill battle as a result of some non-Christian participants who are involved in spiritism. There is an unusually heavy atmosphere about the place which can best be described as a spiritual dark cloud of oppression. Please pray. 🙏

World Cup again

I watched Scotland lose to Morocco 1 x 0 and thought they played quite well against a good team. Scotland could still qualify for the knockout stages. We will see.

I watched Brazil beat Haiti 3 x 0 and thought Brazil played fairly well but not brilliantly. 2 of Brazil's goals were scored by Matheus Cunha (Manchester United) who is from our state of Paraiba in João Pessoa where we have 4 churches. Now next Wednesday Brazil play Scotland which should be interesting. Pundits here think Brazil will find Scotland a tough nut to crack.

Our Youth Camp at Green Pastures started yesterday and the opening service was really blessed with a sermon from Pastor Fabrício Junior who is the youth pastor at our Campina Grande Catolé church.

Donkeys & Carts

Yesterday afternoon our school took part in the St. John's Donkey Cart parade in the Patos high street. All the Patos schools have been doing these annual parades for 20 years every month of June as part of the St. John's Festival. The donkeys and carts are colourfully decorated for the parade and ours looked very good.  Please 

The Cultura Inglesa TEFL School run by our daughters and grandchildren held its certificate presentation evening yesterday and Liz and I went along in support. All went off very well.

Today the annual June youth camp starts at Green Pastures and will end of Sunday night. Please pray for the camp.

Victory

I watched England beat Croatia 4 x 2 in the World Cup last night. I thought England played very well indeed in the second half. It was a very promising start to the tournament for England.

Street Meeting

Last night I preached the Gospel at a street meeting in the town of São Mamede preaching on Jesus' raising of Jairus' 12-year-old daughter and the healing of the woman subject to bleeding for 12 years. It was an excellent service.

This morning I took 36 year 4 children on a nature trail at Green Pastures teaching them to care for creation. The children were from the Fera School in Patos and all went off very well. I enjoy doing these nature trails.