Mercy in Topheth

Daily Reading: Jeremiah 19

Scripture Focus: Then Jeremiah came from Topheth, where the Lord had sent him to prophesy. (Jeremiah 19.14)

Devotional Thought: "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all."  I remember hearing those words as I was growing up.  My mother was one of the most positive, loving, and forgiving people I've ever known, and more than once she had to remind me to be a little kinder in my words.  I thought of that when I read this chapter of Jeremiah.  I struggled to find something nice to say.  Jeremiah just wasn't giving me an opportunity in this chapter! 

It's understandable, though.  He had been prophesying in Topheth, just outside Jerusalem.  It was the site of grotesque sin - child sacrifice.  King Josiah had attempted reform and restitution in that place, but it had been short-lived.  After he died, the people returned to their idolatry and moral decay. Topheth was also a burial place for those who had no other place to be buried.  As such, it was connected to ceremonial uncleanness in the eyes of the Jerusalem inhabitants.  Being near the potter's house (see chapter 18), Topheth was also a dumping ground for broken pottery vessels.

But here, God in his mercy sent Jeremiah with a warning.  The prophet shattered a clay vessel, enacting a vivid object lesson of how sin will break a life, break it beyond all recognition and repair.  It seems harsh, but God was warning the people before it was too late. 

The Bible talks about how Jesus is "the stone that the builders rejected [who] has become the cornerstone.  Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him" (Luke 20.17-18).

There is mercy in Topheth.  It is found in Jesus Christ.  He will redeem you from your brokenness if you turn to him.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your mercy in Topheth.  We may not want to hear some things that we need to.  Thank you that you are always speaking hope and healing.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 109.1-5

1 Be not silent, O God of my praise!

2 For wicked and deceitful mouths are opened against me, speaking against me with lying tongues.

3 They encircle me with words of hate, and attack me without cause.

4 In return for my love they accuse me, but I give myself to prayer.

5 So they reward me evil for good, and hatred for my love.