7/3 Jeremiah 9 - God's Refining Work in His People

When we fall into sin, God is at work in our lives to remove that from us. Today, as we study Jeremiah 9, we'll learn about God's work in the children of Israel, even as they rebelled against Him. Join us!

DISCUSSION AND STUDY QUESTIONS:

1.       Have you ever been frustrated or disappointed with God’s people? What did you do about it? Did you bring that matter to God and leave it with Him? Why or why not.

2.       It is clear from verse 1, that Jeremiah is not pleased with the people of God. How does he characterize his despair?

3.       There may even be times when we want to leave our problems behind. How does Jeremiah want to leave in verse 2? What reasons does he give at the end of the verse for his desire to leave?

4.       Verses 3 to 6 return to the familiar theme of recounting the sins of the people. What are some of the sins listed in these verses? How do they reflect the kind of society that the people had devolved to? Was this the kind of society that was originally envisioned when God first called Abraham to establish a nation devoted to the Lord?

5.       What is the refining work that God spoke of in verse 7? How will this purify His people?

6.       What additional sins are presented in verse 8? What is the Lord’s response to these sins in verse 9? Why is it important for us to know that the Lord will not leave sin unpunished? If we don’t see such punishment in this world, why can we trust that all sin will be dealt by God in eternity?

7.       What kind of judgment will befall the land in verses 10 & 11?

8.       In verse 12, why does the Lord look for wise people to recognize what God is doing? If there is no one to recognize the reasons for their turmoil, what might the people think is the cause of their maladies?

9.       What further judgment and punishment will the people receive in verses 13 to 16? Does the degree of judgment startle you? How does Deuteronomy 28-29 help us understand why the people would face this kind of judgment? As New Covenant believers, will we face this kind of judgment for our sin? Why not?

10.   What kind of mourning is spoken of in verses 17 to 19? If the parents had taught their children to obey the Lord, would they have to teach them, in verse 20, to mourn? Why not?

11.   Verses 23 & 24 are well-known verses that summarize the kind of life that God calls His people to pursue. Why don’t you write these verses out in your own words.

12.   Why does God call “wise people” to not boast in their own wisdom, in verse 23? Why do people often think that their wisdom is particularly wise? What does it mean to not boast in our own wisdom any longer? Where should our wisdom come from? How might you not look to your own wisdom, but instead look to God’s wisdom?

13.   What does it mean to know and understand God, in verse 24? Are you a person who knows God? How is God’s refining work in your life helping you to know Him and His wisdom and His ways more in your life?

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