August 3

Assyria Falls and Babylonia Emerges - 2 Chronicles 35:20-25, 36:1-5; 2 Kings 23:29-37; Jeremiah 22:10-17; Jeremiah Faces Charges - Jeremiah 26:1-24

In the middle of what we would think the events of major importance in the world -- the fall and rise of countries and powers -- God, through Jeremiah, reminds us what is really important:

"Does it make you a king

to have more and more cedar?

Did not your father have food and drink?

He did what was right and just,

so all went well with him.

He defended the cause of the poor and needy,

and so all went well.

Is that not what it means to know me?"

declares the Lord

Jeremiah 22:15-16

After reading this far into the Bible, does any of this surprise you? Why can't we do it? Lord knows.