Shaken Up
Today’s Verse:
Mine heart within me is broken because of the prophets; all my bones shake; I am like a drunken man, and like a man whom wine hath overcome, because of the Lord, and because of the words of his holiness. ~Jeremiah 23:9
The bones of our body are part of what is called the muscular-skeletal system of our body. Our bones make up our structure. Our bones are connected in a wonderful way to allow motion, movement, and mobility. Bone health is important, especially as we get older. Exercise and adequate calcium are important for good bone health. A broken bone can occur from an injury, accident, or fall. Broken bones have to be properly set and allowed time to heal. Jeremiah said, “All my bones shake.” Something happened that made him shake inside his body.
We see the heinous cause.
“Mine heart within me is broken because of the prophets.” The city of Jerusalem and the land of Judah had fallen into terrible spiritual apostasy. Those men who filled the offices of pastor, prophet, and priest neglected the spiritual needs of the people. The prophets and priests preached a false message. “I have seen also in the prophets of Jerusalem an horrible thing: they commit adultery, and walk in lies: they strengthen also the hands of evildoers, that none doth return from his wickedness; they are all of them unto me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrah,” vs. 14. Jeremiah describes the pastors that destroyed and scattered the sheep. He spoke of the prophets and priests as being profane. Jeremiah was rejected and hated for being true to God’s Word and message. He was defamed and made to look like a fool. He faithfully told all that judgment was coming, and it was important that everyone repent. It is bad when our laws and secular leaders turn away from God, but it is even worse when those who are in positions of spiritual leadership are leading people astray.
We see the hurting consequence.
“Mine heart within me is broken because of the prophets; all my bones shake; I am like a drunken man, and like a man whom wine hath overcome.” Jeremiah uses three vivid descriptions to describe how this affected him. First, he said that his heart was broken. This is a way of describing his sorrow. Second, he described himself as a drunken man overcome by wine. By this, he further describes how grief-stricken and broken-hearted he was at the sad, fallen spiritual condition of his people. Third, he said, “all my bones shake.” He was filled with fear and trepidation for the people. He was shaking with remorse at how defiant and disobedient the people had become. He had been given advance notice by God that an enemy from the north would descend upon Jerusalem and take it captive. He was shaking because of the chastening hand of the Lord coming by way of famine, pestilence, death, and captivity. Can you imagine shaking within your body like this?
We see the holy conviction.
“Mine heart within me is broken because of the prophets; all my bones shake; I am like a drunken man, and like a man whom wine hath overcome, because of the Lord, and because of the words of his holiness.” Jeremiah tells us that the primary underlying cause of his shaking was because of the Lord and the words of His holiness. Throughout the tragic fall away of the people of Judah, Jeremiah never lost his love and conviction for the holiness of God and His Word. It should bother us that truth is fallen in the streets. It should bother us that sin abounds. It should bother us that God’s name and honor is profaned. It should bother us that laws are being passed that are calling good evil and evil good. It should bother us if God’s people are not concerned about His Word or His holiness. Are you close enough to the Lord and His Word that your bones shake? Do you have a conviction that God’s Word is preeminent in your life? Are you in awe about God’s glory and holiness?
Take some time this week to immerse yourself in God’s Word. Know Him, as we are invited to do in Jer. 9:23-24. Allow the Holy Spirit to work in such a way in your life that you can feel your bones shaking.
Have an awakened God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Proverbs 30-31