Devotion 1 of 2: Jer 7
In this chapter Jeremiah continues prophesying against Judah and her false prophets. The Jews were “burning incense to Baal” (v.9), then worshiping God in the temple (v.10). They also “burned their sons and daughters in fire” (v.31) as a sacrifice to heathen idols.
Jeremiah prophesied that because the Jews continued trusting in lying words (from false prophets) and committing many sinful acts, their temple would be destroyed like Shiloh, and they would be cast out like northern Israel (v.8-15). Northern Israel was taken captive by Assyria in 722 BC and Judah by Babylon in 538 BC.
Shiloh was the name of the town in which Joshua set up the tabernacle after conquering Canaan (Josh 19:51). The Ark of the Covenant was kept there for about 300 years during the period of the Judges until Eli’s sons carried it to battle and lost it to the Philistines (1 Sam 4). It was perhaps then that the tabernacle and the city of Shiloh were destroyed. The same fate happened to Jerusalem and its temple, as Jeremiah predicted.
デボーション1/2：Jer 7
この章で、エレミヤはユダとその偽預言者たちに対して預言を続けます。ユダヤ人は「バアルのためにいけにえを焼き」（9節）、神殿で神を崇拝していました（10節）。また、異教の偶像に捧げ物として「息子、娘を火で焼いた」（31節）。
エレミヤは、ユダヤ人が（偽預言者からの）偽りの言葉を信じ続け、多くの罪深い行為を犯し続けたため、彼らの神殿はシロのように破壊され、彼らは北イスラエルのように追い払われるだろうと預言しました（8-15節）。北イスラエルは紀元前722年にアッシリアに、ユダは紀元前538年にバビロンに彼らの力追い払われました。
シロは、ヨシュアがカナンを征服した後に幕屋を建てた町の名前です（ヨシュ19:51）。契約の箱は士師の時代、エリの息子たちが戦いに持ち込み、ペリシテ人に奪われるまで、約 300 年間そこに保管されていました (1サム4)。幕屋とシロの町が破壊されたのは、おそらくその時だったでしょう。エレミヤが予言したように、エルサレムとその神殿にも同じ運命が起こりました。
この箇所の日本語訳はまだありません。英語の原文を表示しています。
Devotion 2 of 2: Acts 7
This chapter records the killing of Stephen, the 1st martyr of the Christian church. He grew quickly from being just a believer, into serving as a deacon, then ministering with miracles happening, then testifying before the council (6:3-15), and finally being martyred (7:60)!
Because when the LDR happens, we also will move quickly from being ordinary believers into ministering with power and miracles, then testifying before mayors and city councilors, and finally becoming martyrs, we can look to Stephen as a good model for us!
Let us, too, expect God to do miracles through us, and let’s not be afraid, but bold to testify before political leaders, and let’s pray to God to forgive our persecutors, even as they execute us! Thank you, Lord, for leaving us with such a wonderful example as Stephen, the first martyr of the Christian Church!
— Pastor Elmer Inafuku