Observations from Daily Readings (through Jeremiah)

• There are many references to Sodom and Gomorrah. That particular story of destruction must have played an interesting part in history, as Jews considered Sodom and Gomorrah to be some of the most vile of all nations. God’s comparison of Israel to those cities would have been quite a blow to Jewish feeling of elitism.
• Why would Jeremiah tell exiled Israel to “make your homes there” in Babylon? Maybe it was to counter what other prophets were saying about the exile ending shortly. Jeremiah was making sure that God’s judgment would not be taken lightly and that Israel would understand that God’s punishment would not be shortened. However, the light of hope does shine in the midst of tragedy.  
• We all have experienced  God’s hope as a “light at the end of the tunnel” in our lives. You know it’s going to be a journey, and you realize that with some struggles in life, you will just have to “deal with it,” stay faithful and focused. God has not forgotten, even if we feel like it.