Blog

In Order. Winnowing By The Wind

August 24, 2017. Jeremiah 51-52.

 

We start our new chapter with the LORD speaking: “Behold I will raise up against Babylon…. "(Jeremiah 51:1a). We need to remember that Babylon was the historical oppressor of God’s people.

Despite what it may look like God has not forgotten His people!

Do you find yourself feeling forgotten by the Lord at times?

Let’s look to see why a loving, and protecting God would allow Babylon this strong hold of oppression on His people?

And I will send winnowers to Babylon…. (Jeremiah 51:2a) You may be asking the meaning of winnowing. So here we go-to free (grain) from the lighter particle of chaff, dirt, etc. especially by throwing it into the air and allowing the wind, or a forced current of air to blow away impurities.

  1. God’s purpose is always for our good! Here is a beautiful picture of how He wants to purify His people by blowing away any impurities.
  2. God representing “the Wind” which was a familiar sign of the presence of God in the bible. (Acts 2:2)
  3. He does so by sifting out the “dirt” and impurities.
  4. God’s purpose will be accomplished.

Has the LORD sent winnowers your way lately? What is it He’s trying to sift out or purify in you? We won’t know if we haven’t ask? Waiting and listening to God’s wisdom and power is crucial in our walk with the One True God!

We read in the beginning chapter of 52 that King Zedekiah became king and did evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that Jehoiakim had done. Thus the fall of Jerusalem, the burning of the house of the Lord, and some of the poor people were carried away captive.

(Jeremiah 52:3) For because of the anger of the LORD this happened in Jerusalem and Judah, till He finally cast them out from His presence. Then Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon.

Because of its sin, the kingdom of Judah had fallen. (Jeremiah 52:27b) Judah was then carried away captive from its own land.

We see that God is long- suffering and patient, but He is a God of rigid justice with loving efforts. We should look at history not only from the visible, but be always mindful of the hand, of the unseen God.

We would be wise to pray against this fruit of sin. (Psalm 51:11) Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.

When a complete cleansing, or Winnowing is requested or required, it can only truly come from God. Because you see in our human frailty, we will always be in a constant battle against sin.

He hasn’t forgotten us….don’t resist His sifting!

It will always be in our best interest to have our loving, holy Savior reveal any sin in us. And in our repentance when winnowing has taken place, we acknowledge God in the fullness of who He is, as we give all the glory to Him!

 

Terri Hill

Terri has placed her hope and faith in the Lord Jesus, and is grateful to be a wife, the mother to four amazing children, and finds joy in her practically perfect, three grandchildren! ...more