Don’t Get Comfortable
Recommended Reading: Jeremiah 44:15-19
The following Scripture is, well, unusual.
“And the women said, “When we made offerings to the queen of heaven and poured out drink offerings to her, was it without our husbands’ approval that we made cakes for her bearing her image and poured out drink offerings to her?” Jeremiah 44:19
The question, “was it without our husbands’ approval?” needs some context to understand this unusual scene. The obvious answer is that these women are defending their idolatry by stating that they had the approval of their husbands. Another question that needs to be asked is why are these families in Egypt? The answer requires a little history.
In the days of Jeremiah the prophet, God is bringing judgment upon the nation because of their unfaithfulness, particularly their idolatry. If they were to have any hope whatsoever, they were to lay down their arms and go willingly to Babylon as captives. This command, given through the prophet Jeremiah was a hard pill to swallow and many fled to neighboring countries. Those who fled to Egypt found that their new setting wasn’t so bad after all. In fact, they were prospering much more in Egypt than they were in Israel.
As a result of their new prosperity, their loyalty to the true God began to diminish and their allegiance to the gods of Egypt began to increase. Things couldn’t be better for this new Jewish settlement, at least, until Jeremiah comes on the scene. Their idolatry is immediately condemned. But these women are not about to lose their happiness because of one doomsday prophet. Here’s their response,
“As for the word that you have spoken to us in the name of the LORD, we will not listen to you. But we will do everything that we have vowed, make offerings to the queen of heaven and pour out drink offerings to her, as we did, both we and our fathers, our kings and our officials, in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem” (Jeremiah 44:16, 17).
Can you imagine these women looking straight at a prophet of God saying, “As for the word that you have spoken to us in the name of the LORD, we will not listen to you.” Actually, I can imagine this. It’s difficult to step outside our comfort zone. But that is what God specializes in. We are not saved to remain comfortable. We are saved to “spend and be spent” for Christ and the gospel (2nd Corinthians 12:15)!
I would not want Jeremiah’s assignment. This group of women seems formidable. Their husbands clearly lack the courage to lead. So, without any challenge from their husbands, they argue that serving false gods has been more beneficial to them than serving the God of heaven. Let’s listen in on their complaint,
“For then we had plenty of food, and prospered, and saw no disaster. But since we left off making offerings to the queen of heaven and pouring out drink offerings to her, we have lacked everything and have been consumed by the sword and by famine.” And the women said, “When we made offerings to the queen of heaven and poured out drink offerings to her, was it without our husbands' approval…” (44:18, 19)?
How did these God-fearing Jewish families fall so easily into this depravity? The answer is simple; they chased after comfort more than following God’s calling and commandments. God told them to go to Babylon and start over. While there, they were to build houses, plant gardens, have children, and prosper the land of Babylon (Jer 29:5-7). To these women, that option was simply too much to ask. The alternative of taking up residence with their rich neighbors seemed like the better option.
Christians today face the same challenges. We must constantly fight the temptation to fall into apathy and remember that we have not been saved to be comfortable but to take up our cross and follow Christ. This does not negate “prosperity and comfort,” it simply warns against making it the goal. If God so blesses, then use your prosperity and comfortability to be a blessing to others as you expand the influence of the gospel and the Kingdom of God through your resources.
The women and their husbands who rejected Jeremiah’s admonitions soon lost everything—including their lives. Their story is a good reminder for us today. The Apostle Paul gives a similar warning in the book of I Timothy. He writes,
“Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life” (I Tim 6:17-19).
Serving God requires obedience and faith. Jesus said,
“Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first” (Matt 19:28-30).
As I bring this blog to a close, I am reminded of the song, “Don’t Get Comfortable,” by Brandon Heath. Though it would be better to listen to this song in closing, I’ll attach a few of the lyrics here for your encouragement and enjoyment. God bless and may we store for ourselves a good foundation, against the time to come, and lay hold on eternal life!
Comfortable, don't comfortable
I am going to move this mountain
Then I'm going to move you in
Yesterday, this is not yesterday
You were standing on my shoulders
Now you're standing on the edge
You were looking for a sign all this time
(Chorus)
I am gonna show you what I mean
I am gonna love like you've never seen
You are gonna live like you used to dream
This is your new song.
Sincerely,
Mark Hamby
M.S., M. Div., Th. M., D. Min.
